I was blessed to host our annual Christmas luncheon of my Anderson tennis club friends at the cabin, and snapped this shot of our group.  I think only two friends were missing...it was a great turn-out and I enjoyed sharing our cabin with them for the first time.

Let me tell you, these gals can flat-out play tennis!  Most of them are grandmothers now, and they can still whack a tennis ball with finesse and accuracy.  Many were USTA amateur champions in their younger years, and they haven't lost their fierce competitiveness and winning shots.  They are winners, both on the court and in life.

These gals took me under their wings when I was a fledgling player, encouraged me and cheered me on along the way, shared my joys and heartaches, and became more than my tennis partners.  They became my friends.

We all know that for whatever reason, in tennis zero points is referred to as "love."

Every game and match begins with a score of love-all.

And love is why I've played tennis all these years and enjoy it so.  Love of the game and love for my friends.

It's true...

...tennis begins with love.