In college I had an odd friend. She was a student athlete from Sweden who knew little to no English. I had zero friends and she was new to the campus, so we struck up an odd friendship that has lasted for a decade now.

She was a soccer player; a keeper specifically. Turns out she was good, really good.

She graduated around the time women’s soccer as a professional sport started to blossom in the United States. Where she was from they had a professional league with multiple tiers (Tier 1 being the highest). She played after college back home, but I wasn’t sure how serious she was about the game (college can burn you out rapidly).

Today, via Snapchat, she showed me a black keeper jersey. It said “Jitex” on it. From the years of covering the sport I knew what this meant…

Jitex is a soccer team…

Jitex is tier 1 in Sweden’s domestic league…

That jersey was Jo’s new jersey…

Jo signed with Jitex…

Jo is now a professional soccer player…

Jo made it…

I’m so happy that God blessed her with this insane opportunity. Even through dark times He never ceases to amaze!

-D-