Shared goals hit different
My husband is a great golfer. He plays almost year-round between in door simulation leagues to a weekly men’s league. His love of golf started as a child after being introduced by one of his favorite family members, his Grandpa.
He recalls for my children and I just how “cool” his Grandpa was. The swag he had. The car he drove. The gold Italian horn he wore. And his love of golf, teaching my husband on the short vacations they spent together.
As he grew up, he recalls stories of spending sun up to sun down at the local golf course. We have tournaments on in the house all the time. The kids have all taken up golf because of it. I dress like I have taken up golf because of it. We make family adventures out of local tournaments and soon we will make a couples trip out of the Masters in 2026. We even find ways to ensure he sees golf courses around the world when we travel. Sometimes the kids and I join, and other times we use it as a “mommy” moment because dad is at golf.
Earlier this week, he had the chance to play at a bucket list course for himself. Sebonack Golf Club in Southhampton, New York. A top 12 golf course in the world.
He was a kid in the candy store the night before. So excited to go. Ready to see all the things. Telling me all about the history.
He left for his outing that morning with a big smile and just happy to be present. As it goes on long outing days, we did not communicate much. The school, my business and the house were my focus. The children and I doing our evening activities.
The phone rings. His voice is even happier than this morning because he just experienced an over-the-top level of service, outstanding golfing conditions and a gorgeous NY fall day. We were 5 minutes and 12 seconds into the call when he tells me his team won the outing with the lowest score. Two of the three children are in the car so the three of us cheer for him. He nonchalantly says “and I was the longest drive… (pause) at Sebonack of all places.”
Excuse me. I actually said that out-loud. But how did we get 5 minutes into this conversation and I am just hearing this. Why did we not lead with “guess what?”
He knew it was a big deal but that was not his head space. He was so happy to be in the moment and to have witnessed this. But here I was, overjoyed and potentially more so than the person who accomplished it.
A lot can be said for our relationship, friendship and partnership. But at its core, he was focused on the satisfaction of the day and I was not letting him pass up the accomplishments. Why? Because these are shared goals.
With intention we built a family. With focus we built our careers alongside each other. With support we built bucket lists. While he physically swung the club, it was our shared goals that got to this moment. That put him a position to be invited, that gave him the confidence to take that swing because of the practice we made space for.
While this may feel like an appreciation post meets bragging about my accomplished golfer of a husband (which, to be clear, it definitely is!), it is also a small moment to call out just how impactful shared goals can be when you make distinct steps to them. No matter the team (personal or professional) having a common objective, taking steps to support each other and inevitably sharing the celebration is what drives the team forward.
So, a very public congratulations to my best friend, Collin Gabriel. But also, proof that should set long and short-term goals for every team you are apart of and take moments to support the team to accomplish them.