World Series Bound

I can’t even believe I’m typing this….the Atlanta Braves are going to the World Series. I don’t even know where to begin so let’s go back. I actually don’t even know why I’m writing this but it feels somewhat therapeutic and I kind of want to have this forever as a somewhat diary of important life moments.

The Braves were something I shared with my dad. I vividly remember watching them on tv with him. Going to a game was rare, it wasn’t something we could normally afford so it was definitely a special treat. I can remember walking into Atlanta Fulton County Stadium as a young kid, thinking it was huge. For reference, Google told me, capacity at Fulton County was 24,333. Truist Park’s capacity is 41,149. It’s funny to think what is huge to a child. I remember watching Otis Nixon catch balls that were for sure supposed to go out of the park, I remember the Sid Bream slide and the famous “Braves win, Braves win, Braves win”. I actually think I still hear it in my head. Then I remember Fred McGriff, Javy Lopez (swoooon) and Chipper. I remember asking Dad how in the world Greg Maddux, Steve Avery and Tom Glavine could possibly throw so fast. I wore a Braves tracksuit to elementary school pics and you could bring an “accessory”……I brought my baseball glove. I will never, ever forget how much Dad loved the Braves. Everyone knew he loved them. He knew all their stats, when and where they were traded and even if they were doing well with their new teams. He was a super fan and I followed right in his footsteps.

I have loved the Braves since I was little but I think the love increased even more when my dad passed away 10 years ago. It was like this weird connection I had to him. In some odd, maybe therapeutic way, it made me happy. I always felt this connection to him when I was watching on tv or in person. Am I crazy? Maybe. But oddly, or maybe thankfully, I felt connected. It made me miss him less. When the Braves lost I knew he’d be muttering something under his breath cause he never really got angry. When they won I could imagine his excitement. He was never too excited, always reserved, but I always knew what he was feeling.

Enough about that. Present day is here and unfortunately my dad isn’t anymore. Thankfully, I’ve gotten the opportunity to share the Braves with my kids. They love the Braves, I mean LOVE. Kenzie can name their walkup songs, the batting order and she will give you a resounding, “Acuna is my favorite player.” Colton’s walkup song is Dansby’s walkup song, he loves all things Freddie Freeman and he can tell you who has the best ERA and OPS because he’s all about the numbers. I have had the opportunity this season to take them to numerous games and I cannot thank the people that made this possible enough. I’m crying as I type this. This should’ve been a really sad summer and fall for me but it was bearable, and actually fun, because I got to see my kids so incredibly happy. I can never, ever thank the people who did all the kind things for me this Braves season but you know who you are. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

We have made friends at Truist Park that I hope are friends for life. I know when they are sick, I know their breakups and love stories, I know about their kids and they ask about mine. They have all made me feel so loved and they have loved on my kids the same. I am forever grateful for this season, for Atlanta Braves baseball and to finally be going to the World Series after 22 years. I can’t wait to celebrate with Braves Country next weekend. Go Braves!

xo,

Jess