In fact, it's probably the best thing that could've happened to me.
I say "happened to me" simply because when I was starting elementary band as a 5th grader picking up a clarinet for the first time, I had literally no idea that it would be the one thing that made me who I am and that I credit for my intelligence, social skills, leadership ability, passion and a whole hoard of other things that have been a direct effect of my being a band geek.
When I was ten and squawking out Ode to Joy over and over again, I did not know that I would meet some of the best people in my life because of being a band geek. I didn't know that I would be part of -- not to mention a leader in -- a band that performed on national levels and took me to California, Texas, Nebraska, Nevada, Washington and other states that I can't even remember because we got to travel that much. When I was twelve and having anxiety over having my first solo, I did not know that I would stand in front of 60,000 people each week and direct my university's marching band. Even when I was fourteen and my sister was teaching me to forward and backward march in our driveway, I did not know that I would become a leader in an organization that represents the best of the best in band.
I think of how I got here and it seems almost chance, even though if I thought hard enough I could describe perfectly the hours spent running, marching, practicing scales; the tears after failed auditions and fights with members of my section; the thoughts constantly running through my mind about how to make my band better and how to make my chapter better.
Yes, it took work, but also, I am so lucky.
Lucky that I chose to be a band geek and lucky that my work was directed toward these amazing people that surround and inspire me every day. Lucky for all of the opportunities and the failures and the obstacles and the love.