I have another fun AFC profile for you, Falcons fans. Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders rookie Susanne and her husband, Lee, are both athletes and make the perfect pair. He currently pitches for the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs and is in Georgia playing against the Gwinnett Braves. I asked Susanne a few questions about his trip home.
Sara D.: Let's get the basics. How did you and your husband meet?
Susanne H.: We both attended Georgia Tech. Lee played baseball and I was a cheerleader, so we would cross paths at the Athletic Association where we worked out, ate meals, etc. We also had mutual friends and were around each other a lot. In fact, my roommate started dating his roommate before we even started seeing each other. He made the first move and I've been smitten ever since!
SD: Your husband plays baseball for the Syracuse Chiefs — can you tell me a little bit more about that?
SH: This is his first season with the Syracuse Chiefs. They are the Triple-A affiliate for the Washington Nationals. Prior to playing with the Chiefs, he was a part of the Braves organization. He was claimed off waivers smack in the middle of AFC auditions (in March) and moved to the Nationals organization — talk about an eventful week for us!
SD: Sounds like it! A lot of stress that week, I can only imagine! What's it like to have your husband traveling all the time? How do you two balance home life with work life?
SH: We've always had to deal with distance from the very beginning. During college summers, he would play summer ball in Cape Cod. Once he was drafted, he would be on the road from February to September. It doesn't help that our schedules are completely opposite, either. It's hard to talk on the phone because when he's not working, I am, and when I get off work, he's already on the field. He gets about one day off a month and usually is traveling from one city to another. When we do have the time, we'll Skype — which is nice because we can see each other's faces!
Being apart a lot and balancing home life and work life is not easy. Often, we are asked how we do it. There's no easy answer, but we do the best we can to make it work. This is such an exciting time in our lives and I want nothing more than for my husband to succeed in his career. Even though it's crazy now, we know at some point we will have more of a "normal" life.
SD: I understand how hard it must be, but it's great you both are so supportive of each other! OK, so he's playing the Gwinnett Braves this week - how cool! What's it like to cheer for the opposing team, though?
SH: It's so nice to have him in our hometown this week! The Chiefs only travel to the South about twice a year. It was definitely strange being at the Gwinnett stadium (Coolray Field) cheering for the opposing team, especially since it was just last season when I was cheering for the Braves!
SD: Are you able to spend any time with him while he's here?
SH: Yes! The coaches have let him stay at our house versus the team hotel, which is so nice! To make it even better, my boss has let me work from home this week. We get to spend a little bit of time together in the morning and have lunch before he heads off to the field.
SD: I'm so glad you're able to see each other! What a cool story — two athletes in one marriage. Give me one random fact about you two.
SH: It's funny, we thought about this at lunch today. I've got two things: we are both true Atlantans, born and raised, and we are really laid back in the baseball offseason. Our typical date includes dinner at Teds and a movie!
Sounds like a marriage made in sports heaven! For more about Susanne, you can check out her bio in the coming weeks on AtlantaFalcons.com. As always, you can find me on Facebook and Twitter!
Cheers,
Sara D.
