Chapter 12 - princess B Love

Chapter 12: The Girl Who Rose Again

Theme: A Moment When Bella Love Surprised Me With Her Wisdom and Strength

It was her first PWBA professional regional.

Allen, Texas.

We had driven up on a Friday night. Stopped to have dinner with Uncle Josh—that’s what she calls him. Josh used to live in Odessa, now he’s in Weatherford. He’s been like family. That night was full of laughter and quiet nerves. I could feel it under her smile. The next day, everything would change.

At just 13 years old, Bella Love walked into a bowling center full of professionals, college bowlers, elite amateurs. Women twice her age. Women with resumes. Women who’d already seen the spotlight.

But Bella? She walked in like she belonged.

She bowled six games in qualifying and led most of the field—averaging over 225. By the final game, she was in the last spot to make the cut for the five-person stepladder finals. But instead of shrinking?

She rose.

She threw a 279. The highest game of her tournament. That vaulted her into the number one seed. The youngest bowler ever to lead a professional PWBA event. Not just impressive—historic.

Then came the championship match. A 13-year-old girl against a 31-year-old woman. A full-time pro. College star. Battle-tested.

Bella didn’t miss a single pin that entire tournament. But in the title match—she missed a single four pin. That was it. One shot. One pin. It cost her the win.

But what happened next? That’s what makes this chapter worth telling.

She didn't cry. She didn't complain. She didn't make excuses.

She went right back to work.

She got back on the lanes. Practiced. Sharpened. Chased the dream even harder.

The next month, we were in Las Vegas. Storm Youth Championships. One of the biggest youth titles in the country. Bella Love won it. Led all the girls. Made it look easy. It wasn’t.

Then spring break: Akron, Ohio. The PBA Junior National Finals. She was the youngest competitor, again. And again, she led the field and earned the number one seed—this time for a national TV appearance on FOX.

She lost again.

Missed a seven pin. Barely. And it wasn’t just a loss—it was to her close friend, Kaitlyn Stull.

After the match, she ran into the pro shop. I followed her in.

She fell into my arms and sobbed.

“Why do I always get second?” she asked.

“Why can’t I win? What’s the matter with me?”

And my heart broke. Because I’ve asked those same questions. Because sometimes greatness hurts more when you’re so close you can smell it—but not quite there yet.

But the next day?

She showed up.

Bowling bag in hand. Game face on. Putting in the work. Back on the grind.

That is strength.

That is wisdom.

That is a 13-year-old girl with the heart of a champion.

What most people don’t see is what it takes just to be there.

Bella Love has been in multiple handfuls of championship matches. She’s only won a handful of them. And she’s taken second place more than double the number of times she’s won.

But in bowling, that’s not failure—that’s elite company.

Because bowling is a sport where you're going to lose more than you're going to win. Every pro knows it. Every legend accepts it. And yet Bella Love has already been in more championship moments than most adults ever will.

These numbers will keep growing. And as she continues to train, refine, and rise, I believe she’ll start bringing home more first places than second. But even if she doesn’t, the fight in her will never be defined by medals.

She doesn't just want to be the best in her age group. She wants to be one of the best female bowlers in the world. And I believe she will be.

But even if she never wins a world title, I already know who she is.

She is the girl who falls and gets back up.

She is the girl who smiles through tears and keeps going.

She is the girl who reminds her father that greatness isn’t always about the win—

It’s about the light you carry when the pins don’t fall your way.

And her light?

It’s one of the brightest I’ve ever seen.