Coach Got Matched!

Last Friday was my birthday.  I turned 50. I know a lot of people can get very angsty about turning 50, but I was pretty happy and calm about the whole thing.  Just a new chapter.  It had been a very pleasant day filled with pastries.

Photo of Coach smiling.

It had also been an amazingly busy day and it wasn't until 3:35 when I was in my last meeting of the day that I had an opportunity to glance at my phone.  My meeting was with Austin, who was Coach's sponsor (he raised the $3500 needed to name Coach) and another teacher.  We were going to be talking about the upcoming Southeastern Guide Dogs Walkathon (which if you want to donate to Dewey's walkathon, you can at http://guidedogswalkathon.org/dewey).  I was telling Austin about Coach's progress and how well he was doing.  Sort of giving him the last report card update.

Then I glanced at my phone.  Now, usually, I'm not the sort of person who is constantly looking at my phone.  I hadn't looked at it all day.  But the other teacher hadn't arrived and we were still waiting, so I grabbed the phone and looked to see if there were any messages.  

Stephanie, our AC had called.

Then she had texted.

Coach had been matched.

Oh my God! I read it, I said it in my head and then I said it out loud to Austin. "I can't believe it.  Coach got matched. He has a partner." Then I jumped up and gave Austin a hug and ran out in the library and yelled at Mrs. Connors, "Coach got matched!"

"What?" Jan was helping a student check a book out.

"Ms. Arcuri, Coach got matched with a blind person.  He's going to be a guide dog!" I'm still yelling mind you, but it is after hours and there are maybe three kids in the library and they are all smiling. Now Jan is yelling and Christina is hopping around and there is general merriment in the library.

What a good boy.  You gave me the best birthday present ever! You worked hard for your trainer and I know your trainer worked hard for you. We are so proud of you. See you soon.