#1866 “You’re a Good Wingman!”

I’m typing this in the Austin Southpark Hotel the morning after Emerson played a 3-hour and 40-minute chess match.

It was the third game of the day and he started that final match of the day at 6:30pm and it didn’t end until 10:10pm.

It was past both of our bedtimes. 😆

While I was waiting for him to finish, I was meditating (and asking ChatGPT some questions about the nutritional and training protocols I’m testing after reading Outlive and a half a dozen other books on nutrition/energy/longevity/etc!).

He played over 8 hours of chess yesterday. He had a couple of draws in the first two games against opponents at his level. His opponent in that last match had a significantly higher rating than him so I was prepared for a win or a learn.

Then he opened the door and said…

“I WON!”

It was one of his all-time best wins.

I got tears in my eyes typing that.

Me: “Tell me ALL about it!”

Emerson proceeded to tell me how he was behind a pawn but that he was able to make a comeback when the guy seemed to get a little tired.

We talked about his physical endurance and how that’s a competitive advantage in long games.

Then I asked him to tell me more about the match and how he was able to make the comeback. He explained a sequence of moves as he moved the pieces in his mind and in the air with his hands.

I followed about 30% of it (hah!) as I asked him: “Then what?!” until we got to the moment his opponent resigned.

It was awesome.

Then we chatted about a bunch of other stuff before going to bed and I told him: “I LOVE being your wingman.”

To which he said: “You’re a good wingman!!”

There was something about the heartfelt way he said it that gives me goosebumps now as I typed that and gave me tears in my eyes as I felt into how much I love him and how much I love playing that role for him as I fell asleep that night.

“You’re a good wingman!”

I woke up this morning and changed my Heroic Love identity to that.

My Heroic Love identity used to be “Joyful Soul Mate.”

Now it’s “You’re a Good Wingman!”

Yep.

That’s how I want to show up.

For him. For Alexandra. For Eleanor.

For our Heroic Team.

For our Heroic Coaches.

And…

For YOU.

Today’s +1…

For whom will YOU strive to be a good wingman?!

Here’s to forging the strength for two and living for someone and something bigger than ourselves.

TODAY.

P.S. Check out this +1 on the My New Job: Changing Your Front-Right Tire for another take on the same theme.