Finding my Competitive Side

As a child I never played on a team, I never competed in a sport or for a seat in band or a place in the chorus or even at a talent show (besides the cheesy one our girl scouts did in 3rd grade). I was not the competitive type of child and as I am growing up I realized how much I have missed out in.
I often go to my boyfriends little sisters basketball and soccer games where I sit in the stands and wish I knew what it felt like to be out on the court or field, being part of a team all working together for a basket or a goal. Although I get frustrated at the parents who constantly yell at their children to run faster, or play better I see that gives the child reason to strive to do better and to keep working hard. Plus, being on a team teaches (the obvious) teamwork, but you also get a chance to bond with your teammates. Sure, I had plenty of friends in school but we never got to go out for ice cream after a game to celebrate our victory (or even the loses). Looking back now, as a 21 year old I wish I would have been more into competitive things.
That being said, now in my fourth year of college I decided to try something different. I joined a hip hop dance competition team.
I took dance classes all throughout middle and high school from hip hop, to ballet, jazz, and even lyrical! But it was always for fun, I have never competed and never thought I would be good enough to compete.
Flash forward years later and here I am sitting at a computer writing this after our dance team won Gold and Overall. Definitely a victory for a first time competing team!
Being onstage in front of the judges was exhilarating it felt a lot different than performing at a recital where there are no awards or trophies given out, just bouquets of flowers from proud parents, grandparents and aunts or uncles.
I couldn't tell you much about being on stage performing for the judges because all that was running through my head was "don't mess up" and "am I in the right place in our formation" and "I hope the judges didn't notice I kicked my left foot instead of my right" but they obviously didn't since we got overall!
It wasn't even the winning that made the competition so much fun. Being able to be a part of a team where we were working together and having fun at the same time was rewarding in itself. It made me want to keep getting better and better. Winning a gold makes me want to work harder to get platinum next time.
I am so glad I got this opportunity and would not do anything to change my experience, but I really wish I would have started doing this sooner. I wish I would have competed in middle and high school or joined a sport or a club.
I may be making up for the lost time now, but I wish that as a child I could have known the feeling of being a part of a team, of competing, of striving to get better and of doing something that makes you happy and gain friendships and experiences that are unforgettable.