We went to the World Series...

One of the reasons I have been away from here for a bit is because we went to games 1 and 2 of the Wor.ld S.eries last week.  

WE WENT TO THE WO.RLD S.ERIES!  

I know.  I can't even believe it either.  I haven't mentioned it because I wasn't sure it was going to work out and also, ya know, the whole putting out there on the internet that I won't be home kinda freaks me out.  Anyway, I need to back up a bit and explain how this little (big) trip came about.  

My dad is (was?) an alcoholic.  This coming November 19 will be his 10 year anniversary of sobriety.  I don't need to go into details about it but to say that we had a "strained" relationship prior to 10 years ago would be an understatement.  Now, if you know anyone who has struggled with addiction then you can understand how huge this anniversary is.  You can look at the statistics yourself but most people don't succeed in sobriety.  My father has.  For 10 years.  I never thought it was possible and I could not be any more proud of him for all he has accomplished.  

Lonnie and I were talking about it a few months ago and we wanted to do something for him. We thought about a good present.  That just didn't work because, well, I wanted it to be perfect.  A gift wasn't perfect.  We thought about a trip somewhere.  That seemed like a good idea.  My dad travels a LOT and we've talked multiple times about taking a trip together but it has never worked out due to his and our schedule.  We looked at Lonnie's schedule and decided we would take a trip on his week off in October.  We told my dad a few months ago to keep that week clear because we needed him to take care of B while we were out of town.  Sneaky.  

Then we had to decide where we wanted to go.  Lonnie and I brainstormed a few ideas and then one night while we were watching a baseball game we though why don't we take him to a baseball game?  He would LOVE that as he is a major sports fan.  I knew the baseball postseason was in October so it seemed like the perfect idea.  Take him to a postseason baseball game!  Yes!  

Then we looked at the baseball schedule and realized that the week Lonnie was off was the week the Worl.d Se.ries started.  Okay, this could not be more perfect!  He has been to multiple sports games including a Su.per B.owl but I knew he had never been to a W.orld Se.ries.  Boom.  So we planned to go to the WS and waited to see where we would be going.  The perfect idea! 

We didn't tell him because I wanted it to be a surprise but the closer it got the harder it was for me not to tell him.  I finally caved one morning in September when he was over visiting Blakely.  He was talking about maybe going out of town that weekend that I had him put aside or something and I couldn't stand it anymore.  I told him we were taking him to the Wo.rld Ser.ies for his 10 year anniversary of being sober.  He was shocked, excited, happy, and stunned!  YAY!  I asked him where he hoped to go and he immediately said Fenway.  Not that he is a huge Re.d S.ox fan but he though Fe.nway would be the coolest place to see the WS.  I agreed.  Over the season I had liked Boston (beards, Big Papi, and they were supposed to be terrible) and it just seemed like such a fun place to go...so much history at Fenway, crazy fans, exciting team.  

green monster...

So we cheered and waited and planned.  And planned some more.  And then cheered for the Red Sox.  And then a little more planning.  It was not easy!  But we pulled it off.  And it was just as perfect and amazing as I hoped.  

And just for the record.  Boston won game 1 and the Cardinals won game 2.  Big Papi hit 2 homeruns and got robbed of a grand slam.  It was so much fun.  So.  Much.  Fun.  

 A complete double rainbow was the first thing we saw when we got to our hotel.  I mean....  of course I didn't have my good camera with me!

The first game wasn't that cold but the second game the wind was whipping and it was bitter cold.  Or at least bitter cold to this Arkansan.  ;)

So.  Thanks, Dad.  Thanks for everything and more.  And thank you for giving us the best reason ever to go to the Wor.ld Se.ries!!!  

AND LET'S GO RED SOX!!