I’m excited to announce that I’m now contributing to Chevy Culture, a lifestyle and auto site sponsored by Chevrolet. My first post: NASCAR Moms and Soccer Dads is now live on the site. Click through for the full post on Chevy Culture, and come back in the next few weeks and months for more.

The initial post at Chevy Culture didn’t require a lot of reflection — sports are top of mind right now. The minute the Olympic flame was doused, my kids ran out the door to begin pre-season practices. This very weekend, I’m headed to Houston for an aptly named “warm up” soccer tournament.

But this tournament is different than those in the past. This time, I’m going with my daughter.

She’s got some big challenges in the coming weeks, my girlie. She’s got a new school — Junior High, no less. She’s got a new soccer coach at a new club. And she’s trying a whole new sport at her new school — field hockey. That’s a lot of change for a girl just about to turn 11. A lot on her slender shoulders.

But as her pony tail swished out the back door on the way to hockey practice, my heart nearly broke. I was proud and wistful — the mix of emotions that the happiness studies miss when they evaluate parents — looking at the way she held her chin high with determination. She was taking on a challenge that was hard but that she felt confident she could meet. And that’s the whole point, isn’t it?

Now it’s off to Houston. I hope I’ll live up to my own advice and keep up my end of the bargain.