Day 948 Spotlight

One of the best perks of getting older has to be watching your kids and their friends chase their dreams and actually start catching them. There’s something magical about seeing the little ones you’ve watched grow up suddenly spread their wings and soar. Lately this journey has been especially exciting, watching my son, Seth's childhood friend Andrew claim his spotlight. 

It all started when Seth was in Kindergarten. That’s when he met Andrew, and it was instant friendship. Andrew, who we lovingly nicknamed "the mayor," was a whirlwind of energy—eager to talk to everyone and make new friends. Seth, on the other hand, was much more on the shy side, content to stay in the background, observing the world around him rather than engaging with it. And yet, the two hit it off immediately.

They made the perfect pair: Seth happily letting Andrew shine in the spotlight, and Andrew loving the fact that he had a friend who wasn’t competing for attention. Andrew always had a way of making everything feel exciting, and Seth was perfectly content to go along for the ride, enjoying the calm comfort of their friendship.

As the years went by, Andrew kept the laughs and stories coming, entertaining our family with his antics. And, of course, the boys stayed close through their childhood and teen years. Then, like all good things, they eventually headed off to college—each to follow their own passion. Andrew went off to study acting, and Seth decided to take the scientific route.

Fast forward to today, and I am absolutely thrilled for Andrew. His career has taken off in the most spectacular way possible. He’s been in TV shows, graced the stages of Broadway, and even took home a Tony Award for Best Actor a couple of years ago. But now? He’s about to become a household name. He’s starring in the upcoming Disney movie Snow White, which is set to be released in just a couple of weeks. How cool is that?

It’s exciting to watch someone make it big, but those of us who have known Andrew since he was that energetic five-year-old with the big smile and bigger stories—we knew he had it in him all along. He’s a natural. And now, his time as a leading man on the big screen is just beginning. 

I still picture Andrew exactly as he was when he was little—bounding up to anyone with a handshake and a story to tell. His big smile? Still there. His warmth? Still there. The guy we all fell in love with years ago is still the same at heart. And even though Seth and Andrew haven’t seen each other in a while, I’m confident when they do catch up, their friendship will pick up right where it left off. That’s what real friendship is—timeless and unwavering.

As for me, I’ve made it a point to see Andrew in action whenever I can, from his Broadway shows to his TV appearances. So, getting a seat in the movie theater for Snow White? That’ll be easy. I can’t wait to cheer him on as he continues to rise in this exciting chapter of his career.

Who knows? Maybe in a few years, I’ll be watching Andrew accept an Oscar, and I’ll still be that proud mom cheering for the little boy who used to tell stories in our living room. That’s the beauty of watching someone grow—seeing the dreams they’ve worked so hard for come to life. 

Snow White will be on the big screen March 21st...so grab a friend or two and go! You'll be walking out as a big fan of Andrew... I'm sure of it.