SALT LAKE CITY — You could hear a pin drop while awaiting the announcement from Gov. Gary Herbert giving youth athletic teams the OK to practice.

Actually, the noise in my home sounded more like basketballs bouncing on the floor, soccer balls being kicked against the walls, and amplified cheers from the mouths of my two cheerleader daughters.

You know why? Because, for my family, banishment from organized athletics during this pandemic has been far worse than missing their friends and teachers at school, or even going out to public places like stores — and I say this with full understanding that social distancing is important during this time to hinder the spread of COVID-19.

During this time, my husband and I have done our best to make sure all of our kids remain physically active. We’ve gone on daily walks, hikes, runs or bike rides. The basketball hoop we replaced in March is tattered, and the cement surrounding it is eroding away from hours of pickup games. There are dead spots on the backyard grass from placement shots and goalie dives. Our trampoline has never seen so much use, and the dance room will never again experience as many pirouettes in a single month, I am certain.

Even with all we have done as a family to stay physically active, the kids not being able to participate in their team athletics with their teammates and coaches has been really challenging.

Don't get me wrong, an offseason has been nice, seeing as my family hasn't had one since soccer took its firm grip on our household in 2010. But it isn't about me. It isn't my turn to have an offseason. The season is now for my kids and the youth of today to be able to hone their crafts and build their futures. And if you think team sports are a trivial part of life, please consider thinking again.

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Arianne Brown: Missing an epic moment and other confessions of a soccer mom

It was a nutmeg of epic proportions that led to a perfectly executed Diego Maradona move and a dish-off to his teammate for a sweet goal-scoring opportunity — and guess who missed seeing it? Me. His mom.

Athletics and team sports are not unimportant. To many kids, team athletics is their now and their future. It's what is going to carry them through to the next stage of life and possibly beyond.

I know this because I was one of those kids a long time ago. Being part of athletic teams was not only a big part of my life growing up, but I'd go as far as to say that it saved my life. In fact, without it, my life would resemble nothing of what it is today, as I have spent the last 19 years married to a man who was on my college track team.

Each talent a person possesses and uses for good is essential because it brings a sense of purpose. As a mom of several dedicated athletes, I am so relieved to be sending my kids back to a place where they can improve their skills and reach their goals.

As different as practices look today compared to before the pandemic, with coaches giving instructions through muffled face masks and players standing 10 feet apart, sending my kids back to practice has given me hope.

Because having a soccer ball at your feet, working on passes, possession and building team unity is not something one can do alone in his backyard or with his younger brothers. Practicing cheers via video call is not the same as syncing those moves with teammates. Running a fast time on a track is difficult to do without the push of other athletes.

You need a team, and I am so glad my kids are returning to theirs.

How has your first team practice been? Let us know in the comments.

More from Arianne Brown:

The weddings of the pandemic are the weddings of awesome

This weekend, my younger brother is getting married. Due to COVID-19 social distancing restrictions, I will not be there to witness it. But I’m not mad. In fact, I'm quite jealous.

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