I get pretty emotional seeing people do things they’re really good at or passionate about. I get doubly emotional if it’s both.
I also cry when I see people supporting other people. Although I’ve been known get choked up during a regular round of applause it’s usually the more intimate moments that hit me hardest.
We watched a documentary on Ronda Rousey tonight and there were a few moments in there that were really touching. The clip of her walking out for the first time, her face beaming, the crowd going crazy. Waterworks. The scenes between her and Natalia backstage made my heart explode with the displays of friendship.
Another thing that hits me really hard is when someone does something that is really challenging for them or that they thought they couldn’t do. An example: a recent episode of Amazing Race when Nicole jumped on that swing line through gorge despite being so fearful that she was actually crying. When she yelled, “I did it!” while riding out the momentum, I was a mess. I’ve even teared up while reliving it now.
So, yeah, I have feelings about people doing work that is important to them and I get really excited about the jump off point. I’ve always said that if I worked in wrestling, I’d want to be the last person who deals with a superstar before they walk through the curtain. Now that I’m back working in lacrosse, my favourite place to be is in the tunnel or on the bench as the players head out onto the floor.
There are two things going on there for me. In one, it’s the tension that comes with heading out to perform and not knowing what’s coming at them. In the other, it’s the overarching support, the bond of the players through whatever is about to come their way. It may sound dumb, but when I hear them saying their own thing, whatever it is, I feel a rush of excitement and camaraderie and intimacy that rarely makes it in front of the cameras.
Fortunately in my role, I get to be really up close and personal with that and it’s been a really fun part of it. As we were talking about it on our way home today, Kevin said, “you really get to see another side of the individuals and the team, don’t you?” He is absolutely right. You can project a lot onto what you can see on the bench or on the floor (ice/field/whatever) but you really have no idea what’s really going on behind the scenes. I feel pretty privileged to be able to witness that.
