I turned 44 on Tuesday.
A couple days before that, I realized something that made me feel old. I realized I was 22 years old when I started working at the courthouse.
I graduated from LSU in May of 2004 with a bachelors degree in mass communication and had no clue what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Then, in August, I got a phone call to go work at a temporary job in the Evangeline Parish Clerk of Court Office. What started out as a temporary job when I was fresh out of college turned into a full-time job and lasted 13 years.
I am thankful for my time at the courthouse. I made a lot of great connections and made many great memories. I also have many stories to tell, especially about our former chief deputy, JL Brignac. I keep saying I should write a book. Maybe one day I will.
Little did I know it back then, but God was leading me to become the person I am today. I was always Catholic, but my faith was lukewarm. It was probably tepid at best. But, in 2012, I started going to silent retreats at Our Lady of the Oaks in Grand Coteau. These retreats helped ignite my faith and helped me cultivate the soil in my heart. Now, don’t canonize me yet. I still have some weeds that are growing next to the wheat. There is always some pruning that needs to be done, right?
Since going on retreat and getting more dynamic about my faith, I’ve been bearing much more fruit and many great experiences have followed. For example, I got to cover the 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship Game, two games at the 2023 College World Series, and I got to attend the 2024 Major League Baseball Game in Arlington, Texas, while covering SEC Media Days. While at the game, I watched as Paul Skenes struck out Aaron Judge on three pitches.
I also became editor, president of the Evangeline Parish Tourist Commission, vice president of the Louisiana Sports Writers Association, and Voice of Ville Platte Dixie Youth. I also won a few major awards, including 2025 LSWA Prep Writer and Columnist of the Year.
Now, I’m not trying to brag on myself. It’s just a humble reflection on how far I’ve come in the past 22 years. I had a lot of growing up to do. And, speaking of humility, God has a funny way of keeping me humble. One time when I was calling a game on the radio, someone posted on social media that I sounded “abysmal.” And, when I wrote about a Pine Prairie football game last year against Crowley, someone posted on social media implying that I hate kids.
I may have turned 44 this week and have come a long way in my journey, but, in some ways, I’m still the person I was 22 years ago. I still nerd out over the Chicago Cubs and still enjoy the occasional hot dogs, especially in the press box when I’m covering a sporting event. And, I’m still awkward and shy around the ladies. I guess we can’t fix everything about ourselves.
One final thought, I’m leaving Sunday for Tampa to cover this year’s SEC Media Days. Expect a column after I get back. I may have a random story or two to tell after like the one in Dallas when a homeless guy with one eye gave me a tour of Dealy Plaza. I should really write that book.
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