Authenticity is not something we have or don’t have. It’s a practice– a conscious choice of how we want to live. Authenticity is a collection of choices that we have to make every day. It’s about the choice to show up and be real. The choice to be honest. The choice to let our true selves be seen. (Brene Brown)

August 16, 2019– As I type this entry, it’s just past 10:00pm and I’ve made it back to Carmel after a long day that started at 6:00am. All three of my boys got started back to school today. I hugged my oldest goodbye very early this morning as he was headed back to Cincy for his senior year at Xavier University in Cincy. Then, I dropped off my baby, Zach, for his first day of high school at Guerin Catholic. While I was doing that, Tom was helping Drew load up two of our cars with old furniture and all the t-shirts a guy could ever need for his sophomore year at Purdue. This is why my hometown and all the wonderful people who live there is what’s on my mind as I wrap up this crazy day. One of those terrific folks is a truly authentic woman named Sara Thieme. She’s pictured at the far right in the above photo, with her children and her husband, Brian Thieme.

Sara and I met in high school at Central Catholic. She was a senior when I was a freshman, and her little brother, Steve Rausch, was in my class. He was a smart guy with a fantastic smile, and it turns out, so was his sister. Sara married a cousin of Tom’s and so now we share the same last name. What I remember about her back in high school was that she was always friendly, even to lowly freshmen such as yours truly. That has not changed one bit over time!

This afternoon, Tom and I made our way over to Thieme and Wagner, a local watering hole run by Sara’s son, David and her husband, Brian. Today, David was tending bar and he regaled us with a little history and an update on what he’s up to. I kept thinking as I listened to him that he seems like a remarkable mix of both his mom and dad– in temperament and looks! Sitting down there at that bar also reminded me of the very kind favor Sara did for me at Christmas time when she helped me create a custom Thieme and Wagner shirt for my father-in-law as a gift. Sunny and thoughtful, Sara went way out of her way to assist and then she spent time she didn’t really have to meet up with us to pass the item along. The kindness is typical behavior for Sara.

A faith-filled wife and mom, Sara is also a physical therapist who has recently started a new job. I’m not actually sure who she’s working for now, but I know they are fortunate to have her!! She’s got a wonderful, welcoming smile and the most fantastic giggle. She cares. What makes Sara just magnificent in my mind is that she has always seemed remarkably authentic. That quality is WAY on the top of my list of most favorite qualities in humans. She’s also a bright light for others by the way she serves her family and her faith community down at St. Boniface. She treats others with respect and dignity.

Sara is fun and she has a great sense of humor. She doesn’t sweat the small stuff. I am inspired by her and can relate to her because she’s just truthful and genuine. I’ve definitely got a thing for genuine people– and if you do too– you’ll be glad if you take the time to get to know her if you ever get the chance. She’s rock solid. Thank you, Sara, for reminding me by your example that I should always strive to be authentic, be genuine, be real…be myself!!