Friday Nights, Alright!

We have been a part of this town for thirteen years. Our boys have grown up here and will forever identify with Fuquay Varina as "home." We have set roots here and made it our own in little ways. I got to dedicate a Blue Start Memorial Marker. Lisa established a 5k to benefit the Willow Spring Track Team. We are organizing an event for a local charity. TJ is a prime athlete in three seasons of sports. The boys volunteer at the church. Yes, in small ways we give back to the community.  

I like being part of the community. We visit local eateries and breweries.  We "Run the Quay" 5k every year. The Chief of Police knows me and says, "Hi," whenever we run into each other. We know the mayor. We are not well known but we are not anonymous either. Although I can't imagine staying here forever, nor will we be long remembered, it is still nice to be a part of the community.  

Last Friday was the first home football game of the season for Willow Spring High School. TJ already goes to the games because he is a Junior and living his best life hanging out with his friends at the games. I love that for him.  Lisa and I went, just to see our home team try to win. We found another parent we know and sat with her and then a "local personality" who writes positive Facebook messages about the town sat with us.  He and I talked football and small talk while Lisa and her friend talked about the kids and small talk. A perfect combination. 

Because it is a new school and that they filled the school without Seniors or Juniors the first year it was open, and then let the classes matriculate each year, this is first year we have Seniors on the football team! Maybe we could hold our own against other teams for a change.

The first two quarters of the game it looked like we were off to a bad start. A 70 yard touchdown run was called back. The quarterback refused to throw the ball, even on third down and 13 yards.  In fact, the offense never got beyond their 35 yard line.  Then, with about six minutes left in the half, the QB launched one into the End Zone for a touchdown! We were up 7-0.  The opposing team could not mount an offense and gave up the ball.  On the next possession we scored again! We missed the extra point, but we were up 13-0 into Halftime.  Lisa and I chose that time to slip out.

There is something special about being in the stands when the team is winning. It is more electric and charged. People pay attention more. It is obviously more fun. The other team came back and fought all the way to the end but the Willow Spring Storm prevailed.  A good start to the season!

That is all for now from our corner of North Carolina.