names...

After saying hi to nearly everyone I saw in the lion's den yesterday, one of our new coaches asked me what percentage of the student body did I know at Methodist? It's actually probably the lowest right now and increases throughout the school year. By May I know every single athlete (and usually their jersey number, position, hometown and sometimes high school) and nearly everyone that goes to FCA.

There's something about knowing names... When I was a kid I went to music camp (totally different from band camp!) and set out to learn everyone's name. I spent my summers in high school working camps trying to learn everyone's names each week. I love seeing someone's face light up when you call them by name and they're not expecting you to know them. Usually there's a relief to being known... sometimes people are trying to hide and calling them by name can make them feel vulnerable but I like to think it's healthy. We're not meant to go through life alone.

I'm trying to learn new names every day... putting faces with names and trying to get to know people beyond what sport they play or what major they picked. Names are a great start... but I have a long way to go!

By the way... JillandKate finally posted the Song on the 17th...