It was a series of small, fortunate bounces that drew Stephen Goldsmith and I together. A teacher out for the day. A casual conversation that touched upon Princeton basketball. A passing introduction while both at Jadwin Gym after a football game.
That was over four years ago, the inadvertent genesis of what would become a partnership between the two of us which brought endless stellar photographs to this site since 2007 and brought a young man into my life who I've greatly enjoyed watching mature.
Along the way Stephen became friends with many of you as he turned what were once my silent, solitary drives to question-filled discussions from gym to gym.
Hard as it is for me to conceive, Stephen Goldsmith graduates high school today. As someone who likes to embarrass those he cares about when they achieve something significant, this occasion is worth posting here publicly.
Over the weekend there was a graduation party at the Goldsmiths'. Stephen's grandfather was able to surprise him with a autographed photo of Coach Carril (pictured above). This image - shot by Stephen - ran in Sports Illustrated in 2009, allowing him to accomplish the only life goal he ever shared with me by age 16.
While Stephen's grandfather was pulling off this surprise, I was simultaneously working covertly with a secret agent at Jadwin (let's call him "LS") to bowl SG over with a basketball signed by all of the 2010-11 Tigers - a way to remember our final, monumental journey together before he heads off to college in Florida in the fall.
When I presented this gift to Stephen his face lit up as I imagine mine would have if you had handed me a ball signed by the 1990-91 Princeton team two decades previous.
For once, Stephen was speechless.
Congratulations Stephen! I'm very proud of you and I'm certainly not alone in that sentiment.
