Good Things Happen To Those Who Wait

Last Spring we began planning for the birthday party season in our family. Annelise and Emilie opted for a backyard bash, with the water slide and ice cream man. Jonathan on the other hand had his eye on Fenway Park. After a little research, we discovered a birthday package offered through the events coordinator at the ball park. It was an unbelievably good deal -- seats three rows from the field, pizza dinner and a Sox pennant to take home for $33 a ticket. (I think we will all have our birthdays with the Sox!) There was one night available and it was three months away in September. For Jonathan, it wasn't even a decision. We signed up. From that day forward we have been counting down to September.

On Tuesday night Jonathan's friends began arriving, donning their best Red Sox apparel and carrying their leather mits, just in case. These boys have been raised in Red Sox Nation on the legend of Ted Williams, the curse of the great Bambino, tales of the Green Monster and Big Pappi's homers. They were craving a night under the lights at their favorite ball park. Steve and I loaded up both cars with eight year old boys and headed to Yawkey Way. For these guys, there was just something about being packed together cruising to a MLB game. The radio was on and the kids hooted, hollered and punched each other the entire way there but as soon as they saw the neon CITCO sign and the bright lights of the stadium, their excitement burst out of the car, with shouts and chanting from the windows. Boston knew that we had arrived.

The Red Sox were playing Tampa Bay, their rivals for first spot in the American League East this season. The kids found their seats and, in contrast to our wild arrival, intensely watched the game. 

They munched on their pizza, cheered when Jonathan's name appeared on the jumbo screen and lept out of their seats when Jason Bay hit a home run. It wasn't long before their eyes began to droop, ever so slightly. Since I had promised their mothers that I would have them home by 10:00, we had to depart early.  The boys took their pennants, a pack of baseball cards and Razzles to remember their big night at the game. And hopefully Jonathan will remember just a little better his childhood days as a true Red Sox fan!