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How To Encourage A Lifetime Love of Sports

March 20, 2012 By Emily 23 Comments

 

 

Dear Squishy,

I don’t remember how old I was the first time I got to go to a Cubs game.  But I do remember even at that young age knowing it was a pretty big deal. To sit in Wrigley field with my father and watch the Cubs play baseball was and continues to be one of my favorite things in life.

IMG_5582

It isn’t so much about who is playing to me, (although I did develop my first celebrity crush on Mark Grace at some point) and it certainly was never about them winning.

Side Note: You should know right now that you can’t be a Cubs fan if you are only in it for the win.  They will break your heart every time… Just like they did my heart at game 7 2003, when they lost to the Marlins.  I paid over $200 for those tickets, and actually cried in my seat at the end of the game…

IMG_5637

I couldn’t name most of the players on the Cubs roster right now.  Since moving from Chicago it is hard to keep up with the team.  Save for the pre-season games at Cashman field that have become somewhat of a family tradition, and the odd afternoon game on WGN, I don’t get to see my cubbies very often.  But my love for the team has never changed.

IMG_5610

Growing up in Chicago, a love of the Cubs was instilled very early.  From games with my father, to end of the school year field trips for those who helped participate as a hall monitor or paper grader, the moment the national anthem blasted from the speakers I was hooked.

National Anthem

Later on, I moved 2 blocks from Wrigley and used to go to the games at least every 2 weeks.  If we didn’t go we would throw open our windows and listen to the roar of the stadium with the TV on mute.

IMG_5596

The atmosphere was electric. There was no bad day a Cubs game couldn’t fix.  To this day, finding a way to see them still makes my heart sing. The smell of beer, hotdogs, fresh peanuts, and summer breezes off Lake Michigan.  The way you felt sitting in a crowd of thousands who share the same love for the team as you do.

Ballpark Food

The feeling of love for YOUR team, because while you may not own them, they will always be your team.  The excitement of the win.  The sorrow of the loss, but knowing even after many many MANY years of losses you will always come back to your team.  That is the love of sports, the love of the game.

IMG_5621

I don’t know if it will be the Cubs, or some other team.  It may not even be baseball, but I hope you have these feelings one day.  I hope you have a team you are passionate about, and a love for the game.  I hope one day you look back and remember the times we took you to Cashman to see the Cubbies play once a year and know that your love of sports was passed down from us, as it was from our fathers.

Cubbies Family

IMG_5630

Xoxxo,
Mama

*Dear Squishy is my version of (a less than) Wordless Wednesday where each week I write a letter to my son.

  • Biography of the Author(Read Below)..
  • Latest Posts (view them )..

Emily

Emily is a wife & mom living in Las Vegas. The owner and writer at Our Knight Life, Emily loves sharing her two adorable boys and journey through motherhood. Emily has run four half marathons to date and is always training for her next big race. She also enjoys creating healthy recipes for her family and sharing family friendly product reviews.

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Filed Under: All, Dear Squishy {WW}, Family Life, Parenting Posts, Toddlers Tagged With: Cubs Baseball, Sports

Comments

  1. Melissa says

    March 20, 2012 at 10:53 pm

    I love this post! I hope Hayden grows to be passionate about the Cardinals as much as we are! 😉 It’s such a great tradition!

    Reply
  2. Lolo says

    March 20, 2012 at 11:01 pm

    I know exactly what you mean. There is just something about going to a baseball game that is so special. Such a fun way to spend time with your family watching a team you love. I SO miss going to Pirate games!! Great pictures of your little Cubby fan!!

    Reply
  3. Miz says

    March 21, 2012 at 2:57 am

    here we are trying to foster a lifetime love of PLAYING SPORTS and uh of the STEELERS 🙂
    such a sweet post.

    Reply
  4. Heidi @BananaBuzzbomb says

    March 21, 2012 at 4:04 am

    Adorable. Love it!

    Reply
  5. Jen says

    March 21, 2012 at 6:36 am

    A love of sports and a lifetime of memories!!! 🙂

    Reply
  6. Michele @ nycrunningmama says

    March 21, 2012 at 6:44 am

    OMG. I LOVE this post!! I agree with you 100%…having a love for a team is the most magical and memorable thing. I have been a die-hard Yankees fan since I was born…of course, falling for derek jeter when I was 13 years old, didn’t hurt =) I love going to Yankee stadium – it brings back so many amazing memories and I can’t wait until my son is old enough to enjoy – and understand – the sport!

    Reply
  7. Hanan says

    March 21, 2012 at 6:45 am

    I want a boy =/ My girls are super girly!

    Reply
  8. Joy Williams says

    March 21, 2012 at 7:02 am

    So cool that you are starting these memories with him earlier! He will appreciate them as an adult.

    Reply
  9. Donna says

    March 21, 2012 at 7:06 am

    We love our KY Wildcats basketball and TN Vols Football, but my son really just doesn’t get into “playing” sports. He’s tried softball, soccer, basketball, and track (although he enjoys track the best), but he is more academic. He loves acting. Takes a drama class once a week and has been in several plays at our local Children’s Theatre. I had a family member push me to encourage sports, which, like I said we did let him try everything (football is out of the question), to see if there was something he loved and was good at, but he just doesn’t care about it. Although he loves watching sports. 🙂

    Reply
  10. Becca @ Mama B says

    March 21, 2012 at 7:21 am

    Such a sweet post! And the pictures are adorable! My hubs is really hoping our children grow up to be passionate about sports!

    Reply
  11. Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell says

    March 21, 2012 at 7:22 am

    You’re so right about the Cubbies. They do hurt our hearts, don’t they? But who would want to root for the Sox?

    Reply
  12. Tammy says

    March 21, 2012 at 7:39 am

    I haven’t taken my kids to a game.

    Reply
  13. Tina @ Best Body Fitness says

    March 21, 2012 at 7:53 am

    So cute! Love making little traditions and outings like that. What special memories!

    Reply
  14. KymberlyFunFit says

    March 21, 2012 at 8:56 am

    Memories that combine family and activity (sports, exercise, travel) are the BEST! Love the shot of Squishy walking away with his big foam finger.

    Reply
  15. Jennifer says

    March 21, 2012 at 9:03 am

    love this post. He looks adorable

    Reply
  16. Anne - Mommy Has to Work says

    March 21, 2012 at 3:31 pm

    My son has always loved playing sports of anykind!

    Reply
  17. Jen says

    March 21, 2012 at 5:30 pm

    This letter is adorable!

    Reply
  18. Vanessa says

    March 22, 2012 at 9:43 am

    i WISH MY KIDS WERE REALLY INTO SPORTS. THEY’RE MORE INTO GEEKY THINGS LIKE I AM.

    Reply
  19. Amy says

    March 22, 2012 at 7:13 pm

    So cute! I love it!

    Reply
  20. Theresa says

    March 22, 2012 at 8:06 pm

    So cute! It looks like you had a blast!

    Reply
  21. Maureen @ Wisconsin Mommy says

    March 22, 2012 at 9:03 pm

    We love going to baseball games as aa family – we bring the grandparents too!

    Reply
  22. Marcie W. says

    March 23, 2012 at 5:25 pm

    I love it! Another sports loving mama here, only my team is the Dallas Cowboys. Obsessed doesn’t even begin to describe it!!

    Reply
  23. hannah says

    March 27, 2012 at 4:05 pm

    Thanks for your post. When my son was 7, he started playing little league hockey and it has remained a great past time of his. Even after high school and college, he still enjoys playing pick-up hockey whenever he can.
    Hannah P.S.
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    Reply

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