Picture Perfect

The cliche is one of the oldest.

“A picture is worth a thousand words.”

But how many years is it worth? In at least one case, the answer is 17.

The photo appeared in the Spartanburg Herald-Journal, back when newspapers still published such things. Three Broome assistant football coaches stand side-by-side, cradling footballs in their right arms.

In their left are their children.

Todd Justus holds his son Clay, Spencer Dearybury holds his son Jameson, and Daniel O’Brien cradles his daughter Kayla. The boys were born within a couple of weeks of each other in September of 2007. Kayla was born in June. The picture is undeniably adorable. Three friends and co-workers, three new babies, a once-in-a-lifetime memory.

Spartanburg Herald-Journal Photo

Until a couple of weeks ago, at least. 

With Broome in a re-scheduled Thursday night game against Chapman being played at Spartanburg due to hurricane damage, Clay and Jameson, now 17, were to find themselves in the same place at the same time, with their dads. Daniel and Kayla hustled over since Dorman had a first-round volleyball playoff bye. 

Clay was Chapman’s starting right guard until a late injury ended his senior season. Jameson is Broome’s dual-threat QB, and just a junior thanks to that September birthday. And Kayla is the libero/defensive specialist for the 33-4 Cavaliers volleyball team, which will play for yet another state championship on Saturday.

So yeah, 17 years can make a little bit of a difference, particularly when re-staging a photo. The fathers declined to attempt to recreate the one-armed pose of the past. Yes, I asked.

I also asked them a few other questions in a quiet moment when the kids were chatting. 

“Looking at that picture, it really just seems like a couple of years ago instead of so long ago,” Spencer said. “I remember coaching Clay and Jameson all the way through youth league football, baseball, and basketball. Now a couple of them are getting to graduate, and Jameson’s got one more year. I’ve gotten to be with him for every step, and I’m just thankful for that.”

Todd said he can’t believe Clay’s high school career is winding toward an end.

“I feel like yesterday I blinked, and now it’s over with,” he said. “It’s gone so fast. Everything that everybody says is true. You have to cherish every moment, because it goes so fast. We’ve had senior night, and it was pretty emotional. Just watching him with his buddies, watching him grow up, and how proud we are of him, it’s just really special.”

That long-ago photo focused on the dual-duties of coaching and raising children. One focus was the lack of sleep. Daniel said that part hasn’t changed much, particularly with a high school senior driver.

“It’s not fun sometimes,” he said with a smile. “I watch Life 360 a good bit.”

He also echoed his friends, and said that the years have passed in an instant.

“When we looked at the picture and saw it, it just makes you scratch your head,” he said. “She was the size of a football when we took that picture. You just think back on the different tracks we took. We moved to District Six, she ended up playing volleyball at Dorman, and won a couple of state championships. I literally tell people not to blink, because that’s how quick it goes by. But it’s been fun. It’s been a joy to watch all three of them grow up. We’re blessed to see them grow up like we have.”