Saturday, Dec. 2 was my mother-in-law’s 78th birthday, and to celebrate the occasion, her youngest son Chris arranged for her to attend the New Albany High School basketball game that night at home against Evansville Harrison.
Judy Wasson taught kindergarten in the New Albany-Floyd County district for 41 years. Even before she was named district teacher of the year, I knew she was a widely known and well-loved figure in the community.
Hanging around with her on Saturday night only confirmed it.
After the No. 1 Bulldogs dispatched the Warriors, 96-59, my wife Andrea and I sat in the emptied out Dog House chatting while a line of autograph-seekers formed outside the New Albany locker room. They were waiting, as fans do after every New Albany game, regardless of location, for Romeo Langford to come out and sign … stuff. Posters. Programs. T-shirts. And more. He patiently handles this routine, night after night after night, making memories for anyone who wants to be able to say, “I saw Romeo back in the day …”
Judy moseyed down the gym a bit, seeking out Romeo’s family in the stands, patiently waiting for their son to wrap up. Judy, it turns out, taught one Langford daughter but not Romeo — he drew a different teacher when his kindergarten year rolled around.
Romeo’s mother Sabrina reminded Judy of how much her daughter loved being in Mrs. Wasson’s class and what a great foundation it established for her life to follow.
Romeo, it turns out, also remembers this. We’d taken our spot near the end of the autograph line, watching people of all ages fawn over this sweet and gentle teenager with with five-star basketball talent, and as Judy sheepishly approached him, Romeo lit up. “I know who your are,” he said.
And that, in a nutshell, is how I know my mother-in-law is a rock star.
