What a weekend…

I’m a writer. I make my living conveying emotions and experiences through words. But today I sit staring at my computer, eyes full of tears, wondering how I’m supposed to convey the past weekend through the written word. I’m not sure I adequately can.

JDRF has always been a special organization, striving to give 80-85 percent of all monies raised back to research. That’s impressive in itself. But JDRF is much more than research. It’s a network, a support system and a family, albeit a large one. But on Ride weekends, that familial structure is abundantly evident and the inaugural Nashville Ride was no different.

The day started with an hour rain delay, but no one seemed particularly upset. Everyone smiled and laughed, decked out in rain gear and ponchos. There was a time cutoff at the 32-mile break point, and I missed it by half an hour. While disappointed I couldn’t ride farther than a metric century, it was nice to be able to take our time and enjoy the day. We lounged a bit longer at rest stops and took in the beauty of the Trace. Being able to watch so many friends ride in at the end was incredibly rewarding. I was able to cheer on my friend Aaron Jaffe and my Alabama teammates who completed centuries. Cameron, our youngest rider at 13, finished 100 miles and won the Young Rider jersey! Such an amazing kid. And of course, it was a highlight to watch Sarah finish her first century!

I’m a native Tennesseean, so perhaps that’s why this ride was so special; it felt like my home turf. When I heard people say how beautiful the scenery was, I felt my heart swell with pride. Having more friends in this ride compared to Death Valley made it feel different — more personal. This ride left a lasting impression. As I pulled away from town Sunday, I couldn’t stop the tears from flowing. It was a combination of happiness and melancholy. Leaving meant waiting another year to see everyone again. It seemed so far away. While we’re already discussing where to go next year, I don’t want to wait another 12 months to see these people again.

Aside from the scenery and the friendships, what’s most impressive is how this family and its extended parts, came together to make history. There were 515 riders in Nashville — a new record. Together, we raised more than $1.5 million for type 1 research — more than any other single ride in JDRF’s history. But there was this one moment when a speaker asked everyone who’d ridden in a previous JDRF Ride to stand. Most of the room rose to their feet. He then counted through the number of rides and people began to slowly sit. He made it to 15 rides, and there were easily three dozen people still standing. That’s a testament to what this ride does and what it encompasses. It’s a family, and we come back each year for the ride, for the research and for the fellowship.

I saw old friends (like favorites Jeff and Lisa) and made new friends (like my LA girl Kiwi)! I saw faces I knew and memorized ones I didn’t. I hugged the necks of people I genuinely love, and I hugged the necks of strangers.

My ride wasn’t spectacular. I didn’t break any mileage or speed records (though I may have broken a record on how many times I peed in one day. No dehydration here, that’s for sure.) But this event isn’t about speed and distance; it’s about family. It’s about being there to see Sarah’s tears and Squeakers’ smile at the finish. It’s about crossing with four other type 1s, stronger than ever. It’s about meeting champion athletes winning medals in between insulin shots and site changes. It’s about remembering the positives of diabetes and being encouraged to move forward.

So yeah, I ride for myself because I have type 1 diabetes. But I ride for you, too. And I ride for my littles because I want them to have better opportunities than I did. I ride for those who didn’t make it. I ride because Mile 23 shouldn’t be part of anyone else’s story. I ride for all of us, and I support JDRF for all of us. Like Death Valley a year before, my life has been forever changed and always for the better.

So thank you for praying for me and for financially supporting research through the ride. Thank you Team Novo Nordisk for being a shining example of what’s possible with type 1. Thank you Nashville for being such a welcoming and gracious host. And thank you JDRF staff and volunteers for bringing us back each year. There really is nothing quite like the JDRF Ride to Cure Diabetes program. As long as my legs can pedal, I’ll be joining you until Type 1 becomes Type None!