National High Five Day
I’m a fan
This past Thursday was National High Five Day! High five to that, right?!
I give high fives pretty frequently in my life. I give them to little kids and then pretend that they are really strong. I give them to my parents when they make a particularly funny joke or answer a trivia question that I thought was especially difficult. I give them on the basketball court during and after a game. (I was fortunate that Thursday was also a basketball game, so I had a grand ole’ time celebrating the holiday.)
But as I was walking home from the game, I realized there was one place where I don’t think I ever gave a high five — at least not to a member of an opposing team — and that was on a cross-country course or a track field.
I immediately consulted one of my oldest friends, with whom I had run track and cross country and who is currently a track coach at a local school. She also has an exceptional memory.
“Friend, did we give high fives to other runners before or after cross country or track meets?”
“No, never. Hated them all. I think with teams?”
I chucked at her vehement response and decided to press further.
“Yeah, I couldn’t remember recollecting any shaking of hands before or after meets.”
“Me either! And we don’t do it now!”
The conversation continued similarly for a few more text exchanges when I said:
“It’s a good thing we both went to the same high school; otherwise, we would have never met on the field.”
Her response: “But I glared at you a bunch grades 4–8.”
And that, folks, to paraphrase Casablanca, was “the beginning of a beautiful friendship” that has lasted many years.
Indeed, if I could high-five a friendship, this would be it because she is the best, despite her aversion to high fives in competition.
In conclusion, whether you celebrated the day, I hope you have many high-five moments or friendships.