I feel blessed to have been born and raised right here in our great city. Technically I was born in Pensacola, raised in Milton, then moved back to my birthplace, the “big city,” when Doug and I got married. And while my address has changed a few times, one thing that hasn’t changed, is how very excited I get when I see the US Navy Blue Angels.
It’s pure, childlike joy. Especially when it’s unplanned and I forget they’re back home practicing. First, I notice the white cloud-like loops lingering in the sky and then I immediately start scanning. “Kids, look! Where are they? Do you see them?” And then they appear just as we’re slowing down to enter Gulf Breeze from the 3-mile bridge. It never, ever, gets old to me…Ever.
Our son’s first Blue Angels AirshowFast forward to a year or so ago, my husband Doug, co-founder of Pensacola Eggfest, got a request for their team to come to the Naval Air Station and serve BBQ to the entire Blue Angels team. Want to guess if I tagged along? You bet I did. And it was just as glorious as you would imagine. And yes, last year I totally fan-girled over Amanda Lee, the first woman to fly the F/A-18 Super Hornet as a demonstration pilot for the team. Since then, the Pensacola Eggfest team has been asked to BBQ a few more times with the most recent being July 11th, right before their Saturday show. Can you believe the pilots eat BBQ before they fly? I digress.
As I watched the pilots walk to their jets, listened to roar of their engines firing up, and watched in awe as one by one they took off for the beach show, they reminded me of something powerful…excellence isn’t an accident. It’s a choice. A discipline. A commitment to be your best, not just for yourself, but for the team around you.
And honestly? That’s a message our kids need now more than ever.
In a world obsessed with going viral, winning fast, and chasing easy success, the Blue Angels offer something deeper: a blueprint for a life that matters.
Lessons from Dad tooHere are a few lessons we can pass on to our teens, straight from the skies above:
Discipline Beats Talent
The Blue Angels are incredibly skilled, but skill alone isn’t what makes them legendary. It’s their discipline. The hours of practice. The relentless repetition. Remind your teen: natural ability is great, but consistency is what carries you to greatness. At minimum, to even think about applying to be a demonstration pilot with the Blues, you must have 1,250 flight hours in a tactical jet aircraft. The pilots who do get the incredible opportunity to perform train for hundreds of hours each year. This also means saying no to the things that they may want in the moment because they have their eyes fixed on the goal.
Teamwork Is Non-Negotiable
Blue Angels don’t fly solo. They depend on each other, trusting that everyone is locked in, focused, and committed to the same goal. That’s a powerful picture for teens navigating friendships, sports, group projects, and future careers. Teach them: success isn’t about shining alone, it’s about lifting others up, too. It’s about helping the team member after practice who could use a little extra guidance. It’s about not giving up when you get tired, knowing others are depending on you.
Excellence Requires Humility
Before and after every flight, the Blue Angels hold a debrief. They review what went wrong, what went right, and how to improve. No ego, just growth. That kind of humility is rare and vital. If our kids can learn to take correction, self-evaluate, and still move forward, they’ll go far in life. Let’s face it, can’t we all use a lesson in humility from time to time?
Serve a Bigger Purpose
The Blue Angels don’t fly just for applause, they fly to inspire, honor, and serve. When the pilots and crew members were coming through the line to fill their plates and bellies with BBQ, they thanked us over and over and I honestly just wanted to hug their necks. We were all just so grateful to be there amongst their greatness. Our teens need that reminder: life isn’t just about chasing your own success. It’s about using your gifts to help someone and make a difference in the world. The sooner we can teach our kids this, the better.
So next time your teen looks up and sees those jets slicing through the sky, help them see more than a cool airshow. Help them see a model for how to live…with purpose, precision, and passion.
Because real success? It isn’t loud.
It’s lived with integrity, consistency, and heart.
