MB Challenger birthday party.
“I love my husband, but it is nothing like a conversation with a woman that understands you.” - Beyonce.
It has been a while since I’ve accepted the fact that men are different species, that they do have a mystical “nothing box” (which means they are simply able to be thought free) and that the sooner you know about it - the better chance your relationship has. Women, on the other hand, has a lot on their mind and can spark a conversation about pretty much anything - from groceries shopping list to pms nonsense - each of us has something to say about this, it doesn’t mean we should, but we can, you know.
With 3rd decade approaching and all of those talks about “must have babies” that are inevitable as soon as you’re married, I caught myself thinking whether there is anything else left to share with mothers than things related to kids? Are women with kids can still be fun and cool and have something in common with those who does not have a stroller yet or it’s just not really? Well, good news - there are ways and it all depends on us. I have two stories: one about Padel and another - about Fuga Rosa, but today I’ll only talk about the first one.
Most of you, who have read something else on this blog, knows a little about Susana (if not, click here) - she is a dear friend of mine, mother of two, dog trainer, designer and, recently, writer. I know her since our dogs went to the same school (sounds weird, I know, but true) and during all that time I’ve got to hear a bit about Padel: inexplicable sport, that has something to do with tennis and that most of her friends play it - that is all. Oh, and that I “have to try it”. I was curious, of course, but haven’t played any racket sport in my life, it sounded a bit not like me - my hands are made out of jelly and therefore I am hopeless to even convince anyone that “hand related sports” are my thing. First time I got to see what Padel was was this spring when Susana invited me to be a part of charity event, organised by the same women, who shared same passion for this sport. It is not the sport or a differently shaped racket that had my attention first- it was those women, who were mostly over 30(and way more) and had no sign of cellulite on their bodies, were fit, insanely happy and simply gorgeous. The energy they shared was something truly special and as cheesy as it sounds - I had never seen anything like that. I’ve learned it from owning a dog - you may meet all kinds of people who have nothing in common with you, however, if you both are dog owners - that is such a game changer. So those women are all different, are of different age and live lives that probably cannot be compared, but this one thing (Padel) has built such a strong community that the only thought that came to me was: how do I become a part of it? Padel in general is a very “social” sport - there has to be 4 persons to play it and arranging a game is a bit more challenging than going alone on a bike, but I’ve heard that they are 60 women already in that one club, so I guess its not even a challenge. It is a beautiful thing when you learn that they all actually are friends and hang out after Padel and there is this mutual support which shows up when Susana (for example) releases her first book. They celebrate birthdays together and have tournaments organised just for it, they come up with ideas to support families in need by getting together once again to play and raise some money - they do this out of strong passion for sport. Do you think something like that would happen at the gym? I don’t think so.
And so, my racket is on the way, I’ve had some lessons already with coach, got the pleated skirt and already got that feeling to stay as much as possible at the court. I think that my competitive-self is having Christmas time and will go for the “olympics”, because that’s the attitude. Oh God.
Sincerely,
Ieva
MB Challenger birthday party.
"I CARE" charity tournament.
MB Challenger birthday party.
MB Challenger birthday party.
"I CARE" charity tournament. Dinner by Confraria.
MB Challenger birthday party. Cake credits: A Festa do Bolo .
PHOTOGRAPHY by Ieva Gedvygaite
VENUE // Play Padel Estoril.
"I CARE" charity tournament.
"I CARE" charity tournament.
MB Challenger birthday party. Beautiful Maria Barros in the middle.