I remember when I was a young single, before I had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know these kids that are now so much a part of me.

It was early Clinton days, and the term "Soccer Mom" was all the rage. The term was used as a political term, talking about the clich/, the suburban mom watching her kid play before she went back to her station wagon. I remember being in plenty of political meetings, brainstorming about how to reach that soccer mom with our messages. I felt it somehow disdainful of those moms, imagining them spending all that time in the rain, watching their kids. Like they had nothing else better to do with their time? Ah, the arrogance of being 25.

Later, a friend of mine expressed surprise when I auditioned for a play, saying "But you're such a soccer mom!" I felt defensive, embarrassed.

Lately I have been thinking about the whole "soccer mom" thing. What are we talking about when we call someone that? And, as our minds turn to soccer season, I realize that there is nothing finer than a "soccer mom" or "soccer dad"?

Here is my reality: in the last six years, I have watched a lot of basketball games in the gyms at Chautauqua and McMurray I have bought hot dogs from the boy scouts there until I could puke. I have stood in the rain and watched t-ball. I have coached my daughter's softball team. And when I look at the moms and dads that are standing there on the sidelines, here is what I see:

I see them reliving the very best of their childhoods, and soaking it all in, watching their children learn to play and love sports. For me, it was softball. Coaching my daughter's team, and seeing the kids love to hit a ball is sheer heaven. For a softball player, the only thing better than playing, to me, is watching kids learn to love the game.

For my husband, it was soccer. He grew up on it... spent his entire childhood playing soccer on Capitol Hill in Seattle, him and the other Irish Catholic neighborhood kids. He remembers the games, winning and losing.

My husband is middle-aged now, like I am. But put him out there on the soccer field with a ball? God, he looks 18. He dribbles, he shoots, he scores! And all with a silly grin.

\Of course, my son is completing the circle for Bob. Will is finally "of age" and is in the 8 and under league this year. Bob will be his coach. By the time you read this, Bob will have got the kids doing drills, running the field, and I am sure he hopes, learning to love the game.

As for me? I will be on the sidelines all season long. In the rain. In the twilight. It doesn't matter, I will be there. Chatting a bit with friends, old and new. Watching my son, who always complains that I chat too much instead of watch him. Cheering when he kicks the ball. Watching my husband doing what we all do best - complete the circles of our lives; do what we remember loving... and doing it with our children.

And now, "soccer mom" feels like a name I will most proudly.

Funny how time does that.

Lauri Hennessey runs her own public relations business, has three kids, is a singer and a community volunteer... and a soccer mom. You can reach her at Lauri@hennesseypr.com