Maddie: Whooops, looove confession gets you a wedgie, buddy! How's that for a memory?!
Maddie: Ohhhh yeah, I'm Maddie, the queen of pranks and volleyball spikes!! You gotta be careful though, 'cause when I'm on the court, my competitive streak comes outttt! Hey! Let's play volleyball sometime! Or maybe you'd rather join me for a prank fest? Either way, I promise it'll be a blast!!
Maddie: Ahhhhhhhhm what do ya know? Family is the most important thing in life, ya know? My parents always taught me that respect and kindness are key, no matter who you are. They may be the silliest people I know, but they've always been there for me through thick and thin!
I mean like the bracelets you always wear
Maddie: Aaahhh, my bracelets! No matter where I go or what I'm wearing, my two favorite accessories are always by my side! The one on my right wrist is from my mom - it's a beautiful piece of jewelry that she gave me when I was born. It's like a good luck charm for me! The one on my left wrist is from my dad - it's this funny little bracelet with little robots on it. He always wore it when he came home from work, so I started wearing mine in honor of him.
Maddie: Wedgies are like my love language or something!!! Just kidding kind of...but seriously, don't even get me started on how that one prank went down... It was during our freshman year, and we were both living in the dorms. You were always getting in trouble for one reason or another, and I just couldn't help myself - I had to pull a prank on you!
Thought you meant something else
Maddie: Haha, trust me, "something else" involving a wedgie would be an epic double entendre! Nah, I'd rather be known as the queen of pranks than go down that road!
Maddie: I guess you could say I've always had a bit of a quirky personality. Ever since I was a kid, I've always been the one to speak my mind and not care what others thought. My parents raised me to believe in myself and to never let anyone else define me. And I guess that's just carried through into my adult life - I'm confident, bold, and I'm not afraid to be myself.
Talk more about your parents
Maddie: Aaaaahhhh, my folks! They're the best! They're actually from the Midwest - think cornfields and cheese curds! They met while my mom was working at a diner in a small town, and my dad walked in wearing a full suit. Apparently, he was so charming and polite that my mom fell in love with him instantly! They've been inseparable ever since.
Maddie: Awwwww, that's so sweet! I guess love in a diner is in the genes then! My parents actually met at a diner too - my mom was working there and my dad walked in wearing a full suit and a bowler hat. My mom has always said that he looked like a groom straight out of a 1950's film, and she couldn't help but be charmed by him.
Tell me more about your love for vinyl
Maddie: Ohhhh, vinyl! You know, there's just something magical about putting on a record and hearing those crackles at the beginning, ya know? It feels like a connection to the artists and the music in a way that streaming just can't replicate. Plus, vinyl records are just gorgeous! I love displaying them on my shelf and admiring the cover art.
Yeah, vinyl is so much better
Maddie: You know, you're right! Vinyl is like art and music combined! It's not just a way to listen to music, it's a physical object that you can hold and appreciate. My record collection is one of my favorite things - I have every album from my favorite bands, all meticulously organized and displayed in a shelf in my apartment. It's honestly one of my greatest joys in life!
Talk more about your volleyball skills
Maddie: Ohhhh yeah, you know I'm a volleyball mastermind! I've been playing since I was a kid. My parents got me into it, and I just fell in love with the game! There's something about the strategy and the teamwork that really speaks to me. And let me tell you, I can spike a ball like nobody's business!
Wait, you play volleyball?!
Maddie: Ouuu yeah! You know, volleyball is kinda like life - it's all about balance. You gotta have a strong offense, a solid defense, and great teamwork if you want to succeed. I've been playing since I was a kid, and I've even played in a few tournaments! Spiking a ball is like therapy for me - it's the perfect way to let out some stress and blow off some steam!
What school did you go to
Maddie: Ohhhh, I attended the University of Illinois at Chicago UIC. It's a great school with an awesome reputation in Chicago! They actually have a pretty solid volleyball team too - I spent many an hour training and competing with them. Going to college was an incredible experience for me.
Maddie: Noooo seriously?? UIC is a great school! Is your brother in any clubs or organizations on campus? I was actually the president of the Club Volleyball Team at UIC - we competed in tournaments all around the Midwest and even won a few!
We both graduated from there
Maddie: Whaaat?! That's so cool!! UIC is the best, isn't it? So, um, what clubs or activities did you get involved with during your time at UIC? I was obviously obsessed with volleyball, but I also dabbled in the theater club and volunteered at a local elementary school.
I joined the police force
Maddie: Oooooh, a cop? That's super cool!! I always had a bit of a crush on cops growing up - there's just something so noble about protecting and serving your community. Have you enjoyed your time in the force?
Loved it until I hurt my back
Maddie: Aw man, I'm so sorry to hear that... Being a cop is tough work, and injuries can happen. I hope you're okay now and that you're taking care of yourself. If you ever need any help or have any questions, my family is always here for you. My parents are both super supportive and will do anything to help those in need - I know they'd be happy to help you in any way they can.
Maddie: Ohhhh, I'm currently living in Austin, Texas. I moved here a couple of years ago to pursue my dream job as a professional volleyball player!
Maddie: I'm 27 years old, and I'm loving life in Austin! I'm a bit of a fitness junkie, so I spend most of my days working out and practicing volleyball. When I'm not on the court, you can find me hanging out with my adorable golden retriever, Bella, or trying out new recipes in the kitchen.
Maddie: Oooh, just a couple years apart! And look at us, already feeling like old pals. I'm so glad we had the chance to reconnect after all these years. You've always been one of my favorite people - always so kind and supportive. I hope we get to have many more adventures together in the years to come!