Anna and Julia

Andy from The Office said, “I wish there was a way to know you’re in ‘the good old days,’ before you left them.”

I know I’m there now.

And it’s because of the people I’m around.

It’s because of the people I get to teach. The kids I get to coach.

And it’s because 3 years ago, I met two girls who played on the high school team I coach, who changed the way I think about connection. And we could all use a little change sometimes.

These girls are sharp, level headed, funny, smart, genuine and great people to be around.

They are queens of sarcasm and have hearts of gold. In my eyes, the two best qualities a person can have. They keep things exciting. They keep me on my toes. And around them, I never get bored.

Plus they have a thing for the song All Star.

All Star is one of those songs that just gets stuck in your head. It’s a song by a band called Smash Mouth. (And there is a great SNL skit about it).

But it was especially made famous from the movie Shrek.

And that’s where our bonding started.

See, a long time ago, my dad was at a golf dinner event with an auction. Most of the auction items were golf related, but one, well, one broke the mold.

It was a full costume of Shrek.

Think sports mascot. Complete suit with a giant foam head. Like a green Shaq.

My dad did not win this costume. He won a golf club.

But, he ended up trading his brand new golf club for the Shrek costume. (To this day, I still don’t know why).

One day in practice, these two girls were singing along to some song, acting goofy, drinking something from Starbucks… the high school girl trifecta.

I asked to look at their playlist because I wanted to see what songs they liked.

It was a bunch of modern songs… and All Star.

It was weird and out of place. (Kind of like me in high school).

I asked them about it and they told me about their love of Shrek and All Star.

So of course, as any coach would do, the next day I brought the Shrek costume to practice and wore it while I was coaching.

Then I gave it to them.

For the entire spring season, they kept the Shrek head in their car. They put it on at stop lights and simply turned and looked at people. They messed around. They had fun.

And that’s what is so great about them. That’s what they believe in. It didn’t make sense not to live for fun. They brought joy to people… and still do. They made people laugh… and still do.

They made people better… and still do.

The whole season (and every season after) had the Shrek mantra… You’re an all star, get your game on, go play.

That’s it. Just go play.

Because life will throw stuff at you. Life will kick you around sometimes. Life will make you feel like you’re not good enough.

But have fun. Make people smile. Make people laugh.

That’s what they do.

But the secret isn’t the Shrek costume.

The secret is them.

These two girls.

Incredible individually, but unstoppable together.

They may not see it yet.

But other people do.

I do.

And at some point, they will too.

Then… watch out world.

They are the difference makers. They are the ones who make other people shine. They are the ones who bring good to the world.

They are the all stars.

And only shooting stars break the mold.

Thanks Anna. Thanks Julia.