nationals :: little memories

As we all know, Region 5 did pretty well at Nationals. And that is really awesome… I was so proud to be able to watch people succeed at debate and speeches. But that’s not the only reason why I’m going to remember Nationals. For me, Nationals was amazing because of the little things that people did for me or that I saw. Those are the things that I remember. So many small things that together help me remember Nationals as an incredible tournament:

The person I don’t know who stopped and asked to carry my debate box for me.

The guy who asked if he could call me “Anne-girl”. 

The many, many, many people who opened doors for me – I have never said “thank you” so many times in a single week. 

Watching people pray in the halls before rounds.

Country music in the dorms.

The little boy, Ben, who asked me to help him with a puzzle. The next day, he saw me again and introduced me to his family as “my friend Anne”. <3

Catching a random person’s eye, smiling at them, and having them smile back.

Late-night talks about life with new-found friends.

The look on Isaac’s face when he made it to finals in humorous.

The goodbyes and hugs from each and every one of my beloved friends -- people from Region 5 and people from not-in-Region 5. 

Yep, it was an awesome tournament. Nationals was made of little memories.