Former US women’s national soccer team member Lauren Holiday wrote a heartfelt letter following her husband, NBA champion Jrue Holiday,’s surprise trade from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Boston Celtics this week.

The lengthy essay by 36-year-old Lauren reveals the ways in which the abrupt upheaval of an athlete’s life frequently affects their family.

The two-time gold medallist at the Olympics wrote, “My spouse napped on Wednesday. News of his relocation reached him when he awoke. Not a heads-up, not a warning, not even a discussion that it might happen. Simply put, it’s finished. Proceed now, as “it’s business, not personal.”

Lauren said, “I’ve debated about writing anything,” in her article. But I heal better when I’m vulnerable. This is not a novel concept. We have previously been traded. We’ve felt something different every time, but this time it really broke my heart.”

The mother of two claimed that when the deal occurred, their kids, Jrue Tyler (JT) and Hendrix, had just started their school semesters. “Our children attend the same school as other Bucks students. Together, their dads let them in and out,” the author said.

According to Lauren, she has also grown close to the other wives of Bucks players. “The other women on the Bucks have been my support network, my workout companions, and my confidantes. “All of this is personal to us. We have had Bible studies, retreats, and shared so many laughs and tears,” she said. This is our existence. That has nothing to do with business.”

The former soccer player emphasized that her public comments were not intended “to say we are entitled to anything,” but rather to raise awareness of the precarious nature of professional athletes’ lives, particularly those who also happen to be parents. “Imagine if we didn’t just put dollar signs on athletes,” she said. “Imagine if we invested in them as humans, as incredible forces for good.”

Lauren said, “I’m sharing this to show we are individuals who value family and friendships and who invest in the towns we play in. Our kids make friends with other kids in our community. We give to the city we play in and give it our best; we don’t just take from it.”

Lauren concluded the article by saying that while she and her family are “celebrating the hope and the joy of what’s ahead” with Jrue joining the Boston Celtics, they are also “grieving” for the life they had in Milwaukee. “Letting ourselves experience this suffering right now and using it to fuel our onward motion is where we grow. That’s who we are and always will be,” the woman said.

Support for the heartfelt message came from her friends, family, and NBA fans. “Love your vulnerability & love you more!!” said Mariah Riddlespringer, whose fiancé Giannis Antetokounmpo won an NBA championship with Jrue in 2021. Lauren, I appreciate you sharing this.

Retired soccer player Morgan Reid, who wed former Buck Grayson Allen this year, said she and her spouse “feel it too” following his inclusion in the trade package that sent Jrue to Boston. The 27-year-old Allen was dealt from Milwaukee to the Phoenix Suns.