Choosing Socks and Showing Up
Choosing one’s socks is typically a low decision-making priority for the average person daily. It usually falls somewhere between deciding to wake up and shower vs. pushing the snooze button and which type of bagel to order on their way to the office. Unless, of course, you are genuinely engaged in modern fashion. Then, which socks you wear may have some significance in your life, much like what type of fly to tie on your line while standing in a river waving a stick (fly rod).
But, like most things in life, there are some exceptions. Sometimes, the most menial of tasks take on significant meaning. Not in so much as they mean something but what they represent. And, twice a year, the socks I wear are arguably the most critical decision of my day.
It all began with our wedding. Amidst the flurry of decisions, from the color scheme my bride and I would be adorned in to the planning of floral arrangements, I made a choice that would leave a lasting impression. I carefully selected the socks I would wear for our wedding day — light blue with delicate light pink spring flower prints. The pattern harmonized perfectly with our pink and blue color scheme, a subtle yet significant detail. Classic, not overdone. The soft colors offered a wide range of variety in their hues and applications, symbolizing the flexibility and adaptability we hoped to bring to our marriage.
These socks, now affectionately known as my ‘wedding socks,’ hold a special place in our house. On the surface, they are just socks. But on our anniversary, I choose my outfit based on these socks, a tradition I’ve upheld every year. This act is intentional and purposeful, a way for me to honor the commitment we made on our wedding day. No matter the plans or weather, I put on my ‘wedding socks’ and carry on with my day, a small yet significant reminder of the promises we made.
The decision to wear those socks yearly has less to do with sentimental value and more about personal choice. These days, my socks become bigger than fashion.
Keeping those socks and wearing them every year reminds me of commitment. Sure, it sounds a little goofy. Perhaps even a bit obscure. But it means something to me. It is a gentle reminder that I will show up no matter the road I’ve gone down. I will be there for my wife. I will be there for my family. I will be there for the people with us on our wedding day. These people have shown up for me throughout my life, and I will continue to be there for them.
The hardest part of leading is showing up. There are demands upon your time, routinely. There are demands upon your skills, abilities, and mental endurance. To keep showing up is what brings out true character in a person. To stop showing up is to give in to something else. It is not about saying ‘yes’ to always being available. It is about doing right by others. Same in life as in work. Showing up each year, no matter what.
Yes, they are a pair of socks I wore when I was wed. But they are the symbol of a commitment. A promise I do not intend to break. Similarly, I wore a pair of socks on the day my daughter was born. Her name is Daisy. It seemed fitting to wear a pair of socks with a daisy print. As fathers of little girls everywhere would likely agree, I always show up for her. And, every year, I wear those same socks on her birthday.
It’s often the smallest details, the seemingly mundane choices, that carry the most weight. These choices, these small acts, are not insignificant. They are the threads that weave the fabric of our lives. They speak volumes about who we are and what we stand for. The beauty of life lies in finding meaning in these small things, even in the socks we choose to wear. They are not just socks, but a reflection of our values and commitments.
