You're My Favorite

When Son 2 was in kindergarten, we signed him up to play soccer, just like son 1. Of course we were quite late registering, so teams had already been formed. The only way to get him on a team was to volunteer to be the coach. I had assisted with 2 of Son 1's teams so I agreed to do it. My coaching "career" continued for eight more years after that as I posed as a head or assistant coach for Son 2's teams until he got to high school where he put aside the black and white round ball and took up the pigskin.

I'll never forget that first team of 5 year olds, the Blue Power Rangers. One particular player was quite aggressive, even if his technique lacked much polish. He went on to play in the sport he was more suited to play, high school football, as a lineman. At the awards (pizza) dinner after soccer season he came up to me and whispered, "You're the best coach I ever had." It was so sweet, cute, and touching. But then I realized that I was also the ONLY coach he'd ever had.

I thought of this today when I substituted in the same kindergarten class for the 3rd time; the same class I was in on the first day of school. One of the cute little girls in this class always smiles and gives me a big hug when she sees me. For the second time in a week she said, "Mr Sladed, you're my favorite teacher." Even though it's very sweet and touching, and even if it's true, that makes me her favorite out of all TWO teachers she has had in her long and storied life as a student!