Monday, February 15, 2010

Congratulations Mark Ladwig and Amanda Evora!





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Did you see them? Were you watching last night when Mark Ladwig and Amanda Evora skated their short program at the Olympics? I wrote about my connection to Mark previously here. Even though we had been out of town at a hockey tournament all weekend, we came home in time to watch. I have mounds of laundry, many blog friends to check in with, and stinky hockey gear endlessly stretched out across the floor. But it all had to wait last night.

I watched Mark and Amanda's skating performance with tears in my eyes.  I could feel the joy, and their passion just shined through.  I held my breath through their jumps and after they landed their first triple side-by-side perfectly, I could tell they were going to give us a great performance.

I heard Kristi Yamaguchi say this morning that this year's field of pairs figure skaters is the deepest they've had in decades.  While Mark and Amanda achieved a personal best score last night, they finished the night in 10th place, in the competition.

When the camera panned the crowd after their performance they showed Mark's wife and her mom while the announcer said who they were.  What the announcer didn't mention, as far as I could tell, was that Mark's mom and dad, Carol and John, were seated next to Mark's wife and her mom.  The last brief image of the crowd was of all three women wiping away tears.

Mark's former figure skating coach, Dawn Franklin, is our friend and neighbor. She is still at the helm of our local figure skating program and has been as far back as I can remember. We've delighted in watching her receive so much well-deserved media attention. I know how proud she is of Mark and Amanda.


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While my family may not have exchanged tangible Valentine's presents, I'd have to say I felt the love all the way around. There were so many "gifts" yesterday, I have one of Oprah's serious happiness hangovers today!

10 comments:

  1. I saw the whole thing last night on TV. I yelled out....."that's them." My hubby gave me the strangest look and then I realized I forgot to tell him your story about Mark. I did see his mom and dad and his wife in the crowd....yes, she was wiping the tears from her eyes. The whole performance was so beautiful.

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  2. The joy, pride, excitement, delight in your post certainly would indicate a happiness hangover. Revel in it!!!

    I watched the pairs event - but was also watching the big Canadian gold performance in moguls - and, sad to say, must have missed your Mark and partner. I hope to see them tonight in the long skate.

    Love, love the Olympics!!!

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  3. Doesn't it make you feel good when you know the people?
    It sure makes me feel good :) I love figure skating
    :)

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  4. I missed the event but can feel your excitement ... and the term "happiness hangover" ... I like that!

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  5. Lisa, I am so glad you got to see them and share in the excitement with me :) I can just imagine what your dh was thinking when he heard your shout!

    Bonnie, hopefully you'll see them tonight! Happy watching... I love the Olympics too :)

    Vic, so good to see you here, and yes it does make it even more special when you know them or knew them at one time :)

    Susan, perhaps tonight you will get a chance to see them if you are so inclined :)

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  6. It's great to hear the story of those young skaters, I bet it was such a great experience for them and exciting to watch them. I had hoped to catch some of the skating but missed most of the games so far...bummer.

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  7. I'm back ... they were elegant ... just elegant!

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  8. It was very exciting. Congratulations to them! They really deserve all the accolades and praise. They performed amazingly.

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  9. I watched and kept saying I "know" someone that knows them! It was great!

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  10. I am so glad they won! And I certainly understand how proud you must feel, since you had a big hand in their upbringing :)

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