Senior Night Didn’t Go As Planned
Last week was Ben’s senior night. And I’ll be honest... I was stressed.
I had been traveling for work. I got stuck overnight because of flight delays. I was worried about having everything "ready" for senior night. The photo board, the balloons, the poster, the outfit... and, most of all, praying I didn't have any more delays and that I would make it back.
You know me. I love details. I love meaning. I love making moments for my boys feel special.
My mom helped me with his photo montage, which made it even sweeter. Three generations standing over a poster board and glue sticks, laughing at baby pictures and goofy middle school haircuts.
But underneath it all? I was rushing. I know my mom could sense my stress... trying to make it perfect. But like usual... it all came together and the display was a 10.
And with 45 minutes before we did the senior recognition on the court, my phone rang.
“Mom… come to the locker room... I think I need stitches.”
Apparently, he collided with another player heading into the locker room. I walked back to the training room, and one look told me — yep. That’s stitches.
I was so worried he was going to miss his senior recognition and his last home game. And suddenly… the montage didn’t matter. The spacing of the photos didn’t matter. The balloons didn’t matter. The poster didn’t matter. What mattered was him.
And here’s the part that still makes me emotional... One of the basketball dads is a surgeon. He walked in calm and steady and said, “I’ll stitch him up so he doesn’t miss this.” Right there. Right in the locker room. Right before the game.
We literally walked from the locker room out on the court. Ben actually looked pretty tough with a gauze headband.
And I realized - community is everything.
Grandpa Renze was there.
My brother Travis was there.
My mom was there.
Our people were there.
And after a season full of tough, heartbreaking losses… the boys fought hard and won that night.
But my favorite moment? After the game, the student section rushed the court. They locked arms. They sang the alma mater at the top of their lungs.
And standing there, I realized something.
All the things I was stressing out about were just "things".
Emotional intelligence isn’t just about regulating under pressure.
It’s about recognizing when your high-achiever brain is chasing perfection instead of choosing presence.
Perfection lives in the future.
Presence lives right now.
The montage was lovely. But the memory?
The memory was in the stitches. The team camaraderie. The high fives in the stands. The hard-fought win. The singing. The arms locked. The people who showed up.
In the end, all that really matters is the people.
So this is your reminder - don't be afraid to slow down and just enjoy. It always comes together in the end - and if you miss a few details - I PROMISE - no one will EVER notice.
