Its more than baseball... its the Red Sox!

I am often asked why I have such a love for my Boston Red Sox. My typical/easy answer is I am from Boston. While it is true that I was born in Boston, I am not really FROM Boston- my heart belongs to Atlanta and the South (I am a true Southern girl). I have family in Massachusetts and spent many summers in Beantown growing up. And yes, I do have a place in my heart for Boston; but the truth about my love for the Sox runs much deeper than just being born there.
I think it is something that is in my DNA. It was something that was passed from my grandfather, to my father, to me. When it comes to baseball- Ive known nothing different. I learned everything there was to know about baseball and it was something that my Dad taught me and his love was the Red Sox.
I can remember him telling me stories of his childhood growing up in Boston; about him and his friends going to games, about his Dad taking him to games. I can still see a gleam in his eyes when he tells me these stories. I love to hear the story when he was a kid and his Dad telling him to pay attention and watch because Ted Williams was up to bat. He tells stories of The Yaz and Tony Conigliaro of his autograph book and of Fenway park and watching the players come and go. I knew that I wanted to be a part of this!
In 1986 we lived in Lithonia, GA; I was all of 7 years old. The Red Sox has made it to the World Series! I remember the excitement my Dad felt. I remember sitting in our big blue chair staying up late watching the games. I remember my Dad recording every game of the series on our new VCR. It was that year that I felt the bond between a person and their team. It was when I became a part of Red Sox Nation and learned how much I hated the Yankees (even though the Sox werent even playing them).
I grew into a bigger fan as the years past and never a World Series win. I felt the pain of well maybe next year. In college I met my husband and discovered him to be a huge baseball fan and was able to impress him with my extensive knowledge of the game- thanks to my Dad and our Red Sox. The year we married the Red Sox did the unthinkable they became World Series Champs for the first time since 1918 and I cried! (They also won the year Trey was born... so we are hoping this being Shelby's first baseball season that maybe again this year! LOL!)
I still call my Dad each time the Red Sox score when they are facing the Yankees (even if they dont win the championship- beating the Yankees is just as good- if not better!). It brings me back to being a kid again, to afternoons with the TV on and hearing my Dad yell at the screen and my Mom rolling her eyes (she still doesn't get it). It is the special something between a Dad and his Daughter- something that my Mom still doesnt get. It is something special that I will pass along to my kids. It has become something I have given to my husband and friends. But it will always remind me of my Dad and his love that I will forever be grateful for.
So if there are a few things you can know about me; I love God, I love my Family, I love my Country, and I love my Red Sox!!!

The tradition continues... Trey the year he was born. (Shelby will soon be joining the ranks as well!)