The lifelong impacts and confidence gained from all that Together We Move encompasses have been a part of my life since I was a kid . My parents, Al and Sue Owens, have been active in our West Michigan sports community for decades. Growing up, I thought all kid’s parents were as caring and involved in their kid’s lives, and as caring about the lives of the community around them, as mine were. It wasn’t until adulthood that I realized how special that relationship and encouragement really was and it all stemmed from everything Together We Move stands for-community, kindness, compassion and just being an overall good, supportive human to everyone you meet.
As far back as my memory goes, my parents instilled in me that I can do and be anything I put my mind to. Whether it was being the first kid in a neighborhood full of boys to ride a bike without training wheels, swimming across a lake just because it looked fun, or climbing the tallest tree I could find, I always had the confidence of knowing they were there to cheer me on. Along with those cheers there were times that they had to tell me to dust myself off and try again. Years have flown by much faster than I ever imagined they could and the life events look a little different now. I’ve hiked through the jungles of Belize (they did shake their heads at that one. lol) and gone downhill mountain biking as far away as New Zealand. The self assurance I was taught, and that continued encouragement, still gets me through all kinds of new challenges and random adventures. But the benefits don’t stop there. Support and self assurance like this reaches beyond sports and an active, physically healthy lifestyle. That self assurance has given me the emotional and mental strength to stand up for myself and my beliefs when needed. It has pushed me to go after jobs I really wanted but worried about having the abilities for. It’s helped me be a more confident wife, mom, grandma, sister, coworker and friend.
Having confidence and belief in one’s self and one’s community is contagious. Together We Move was created so that we can all be that encouraging community and gift for one another and I’m going to start right here, right now. Run that extra mile-you’ve got this. Apply for that job-you’re smart and totally capable. Add the extra weight to the barbell-you’re stronger than you think. Feel confident, feel strong and feel the love, because Together We Move.
