I don’t quite remember when this tradition started. It might have been a spur-of-the-moment thing years ago, or maybe it was something more deliberate.

Either way, with the exception of those strange and quiet COVID years, one thing has remained consistent: every year, I invite my students to an evening of bowling at the Grandview Lanes on Commercial Drive.

This time around, we played for three hours straight, surrounded by the crackle of pins falling and the buzz of conversation that never seemed to stop.

Five-pin bowling might sound like a small thing, but that night it felt monumental, one of those rare moments where camaraderie and competition collide in just the right way.

There’s something about stepping out of the classroom (or off the Zoom calls) and sharing a different kind of experience. It’s the kind of evening where you forget about pixels and nodes and just enjoy being a human bean.

Where a strike earns a high five, and gutter balls get laughs.

By the end of the night, most of us wrapped things up with poutine at Belgian Fries because, let’s face it, no great Canadian bowling night is complete without it.

As I took the transit home, I couldn’t help but think about the moments like these that shape a school, a team, and a community. Yes, it’s about the craft we hone and the shots we bring to life.

But it’s also about these simple traditions that remind us why we do what we do: for the connections, the laughs, and the memories we create along the way.

So, here’s to many more evenings of fun, laughter, and great company. 🎳