One of the most unexpected parts of pickleball is how much joy it brings me.

The first thing that hooked me was the sound. When the ball hits the paddle just right, there’s a crisp, satisfying pop. You can hear the rhythm of the game change—speeding up, slowing down—just through the sound alone. I may sound strange, but it’s addictive.

I joined a local league in January with barely any experience. Before that, my friends, family and I played by our own ever-changing rules, and I didn’t play regularly. So showing up to play with strangers—people who knew the real rules and played with confidence—was intimidating. But then, every so often, you get that one perfect shot. Maybe it lands in the perfect spot, or hits the top of the net and falls in the kitchen…. grin.

And my favourite part? The community.

I can’t believe a bunch of strangers from just a few months ago already hold a place in my heart. I look forward to getting advice from the “wiser”, more experienced players, and I would have never met most of these people if we didn’t share this game.

My friends and I play once a week and it’s the highlight of my week. We catch up, we laugh, and we play. One friend gave me a keychain that says, “Pickleball is cheaper than therapy,” and it’s so true! Is it the highlight because they are great friends? Probably. But pickleball is what brings us together. It’s our why.