I typically use this blog for professional purposes. Allow me to deviate just this once. (Although, I do have an educator tie in at the end! keep reading!)
Let’s travel back…back to 1989 when a certain UCLA quarterback played against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the 1989 Cotton Bowl classic which was played in Dallas. The hype all over town was that quarterback, a Mr. Troy Aikman, would be the next Dallas Cowboys quarterback. It became true in the first round and so my fascination began. Cowboys games became a MUST with season tickets on the 50 yard line, (opposite side) so I could watch every play. Posters and card collecting became my favorite hobby. I was the only 11 year old I knew with an airbrushed tee shirt of Troy’s face. (Sigh. That may not have been the best decision.) 11. I was 11 years old when this began. I remember a year in high school my mother sent me to the mall with BTS money for clothes and I came home with a humongous framed card set & autographed 8×11 from the sports store instead. I had NO problem wearing my old clothes that year, 🙂
It didn’t end in high school. Or college. In fact, my oldest, the beast? Her name is an anagram of “Troy A” (I know, I know.) and her initials? TD. Not a coincidence people!
I became synonymous for my adoration and I’ll admit it, obsession with the legendary #8. People would see something, hear something, watch somthing and would always let me know. I get to explain at every presentation I give that my twitter name is @8amber8 …me surrounded by Troy. (My poor husband!!) I have #8 jewelery in all shapes, sizes, and price ranges.
Not too long ago, I decided to ask all of my tweeps, a relatively small number of mostly educators to help me get Troy to wish me happy birthday on twitter. At that time, he’d not responded to a fan who’d asked for a shout out. Over and over…all day long…people tweeted him until that magic moment.
A moment so glorious I included it in my family Christmas card that year.
Fast forward to the next summer when the Roomstore had an “Ultimate Fan” contest. I entered and thanks to the plethora of FB and Tweeps who voted for me, I won week 3. (happiness.) A Hulk fan won the overall trip to met the Hulk & Troy…which was prolly safer for my marriage. Several people made the comment that Troy probably didn’t even get to watch the videos…which made me sad.
Well, THAT my friends, I am happy to tell ya, was FALSE!
Today, thanks to some AMAZING friends, who obviously know me quite well, I had the opportunity to be present while Troy announced the 2013-14 “Heathly Zone” schools. The program honors schools that have created an environment for students to engage in healthy behaviors and offers assistance to schools that are in the process of creating a healthy environment. We went in as a Garland group, and I managed to sidle up next to him for the big group shot. That ALONE would have made my day! (week, month, etc.)
But.
As we stepped away from the picture, I said “I just wanted to say hi, I’m @8amber8 from twitter, we’ve interacted a couple of times.” And he said, “I know who you are, didn’t you win the Ultimate Fan contest, with a video?” (At which point my heart stopped.) And I said, “Yes, yes I did.” “I remember, good video. Hulk had some intense fans….” And I just smiled and said, “Well, nice to meet you, thank you!” to which he replied “You too.” My amazing friend jumped in and we snagged a more up close pic…and my mind was blown.
YA’LL.
HE KNEW WHO I WAS. The man whose jersey I own in a ridiculous amount of colors and of whom I preach far and wide to EVERY child who will listen is an amazing role model….knew who I was.
Why?
Because of darned SOCIAL MEDIA.
If you weren’t a believer before…this better convince you of the power these tools have in our life.
If that lesson doesn’t seem “professional” enough for ya, let’s also not lose sight of the fact that for an insane amount of years, regardless of the taunting, teasing, or rough game name calling I have endured, I have held steadfast to my devotion and goal of beingthisclose to him, and I achieved that goal today. Quit telling 5th graders that they aren’t serious enough to set REAL goals! 😉
still on cloud 8,
Amber
Leaders are everywhere. They aren’t just the ones in charge. Take for example the office clerk in Georgia, who was able to prevent who knows how many injuries or even possibly deaths.
