Take Me Out to the Ballgame

The first bedtime story my parents ever told me was about their wedding. It was Game 4 of the ALCS; Red Sox versus Yankees. The Red Sox had dropped 3 to the Yankees and both Mum and Dad were torn between their wedding (the most importan day of their lives thus far) and their team (who seemed to be one loss away from breaking their hearts again). Twelve innings and one wedding later, the Red Sox had won and "changed Red Sox history forever". They went on to win every game thereafter, winning the World Series for the first time in 86 years.

Three years later, I was born, and the Red Sox were one day away from Game 1 of the ALDS against the LA Angels. My new family watched two games while in the hospital, both wins for the Red Sox. I went home in my Red Sox onsie, hat and blankie. A fan from the very first second of my life. They won every game after I was born and were World Champions again.

Every night the last thing I hear before I fall asleep is one of my parents singing Take Me Out to the Ballgame. A promise to me of something they can't wait to do.

I've been waiting for Opening Day my whole life, and here it is. And I'm ready...