The Two Loves of My Life

What an amazing weekend. Three baseball games and a quick trip to San Antonio. And now here we are, Monday morning. But something is different. I have this odd feeling in my stomach. I suppose it’s slightly possible that the feeling is from the three ballpark Prince’s cheeseburgers I ate this weekend, but I don’t think that’s it. I know this feeling. I’ve had it before. I’ve just fallen back in love.

 With baseball.

 There are days when I’m hanging out with Stephen and all of a sudden, it hits me like a pile of bricks… I’m in love with this man. Like a lot. To the point where it makes me gasp a little and stare at him until I fully grasp it. I was never “out of love” with him, but sometimes it’s a stronger feeling. You know what I mean? I’ve experienced this feeling with baseball a few times in my life. I’ve always loved it, and I always will. But some days, some games, well… they just take the breath out of me. 

Yesterday felt like my first date with baseball. Rice had a game at 2:00. We (Rice) had to beat Xavier. If we lost, the season was over. If we won, we played K State at 6:00. The stakes were high, but the Owls were higher. This pitcher threw a complete game. It was beautiful. He had mounds and mounds of run support… which is even more beautiful when you’re about to have to play another game. I don’t know this pitcher and it took every ounce of self control not to go hug his mother. The 6:00 game was beautiful. Taylor pitched a 3 hit shutout. He looked good. He looked like pitcher I’m used to seeing. I hugged his mother. As redundant as it sounds, the day was beautiful. It was amazing baseball. Just amazing. 

I’m so glad my husband allows me to have this love affair with the game. I think he has a bit of a bromance going on with it too. Some games more than others. That’s fair. I’ll take it. There’s something sexy about a man who uses the words “double play” and “bullpen” and “low and outside”… 

Friday night, however, that wasn’t as great. Rice won, but not with as much finesse as Sunday’s games. We went to the ballpark straight from work. Stephen was in one of those moods where he didn’t want to sit still. And for some reason, he was speaking all of his thoughts. Randomly. When you get my two loves at the same place when both are having “off” days, this is what you would hear… 

Please note that none of these words/phrases/sentences were actually directed toward me. He was just talking. Much like a little bird on my shoulder. Or if the little angel that appears on shoulders in cartoons were to drink a few seven beers and try to watch a baseball game.  

“Two outs.”

“What the heck is a bearcat anyways? That’s like saying pigcow. Or cat…woman…!”

“Oh look! A plane!”

“Great play. (whistle) Great play!”

“Bum bum bum”

“Diego. Die. Ego. Leggo my die eggo.”

(after someone on the other side of the stadium tries to catch a foul) “That was either a really masculine woman or a really effeminate man.”

“Sultzbaugh. Sultz Baugh. (lower voice) Sultzbaugh!” 

Have I told you before that there is never a dull moment with my husband? Have I told you that he has no filter? Have I told you before that I’m madly in love with him? Then let me tell you this: Even on an off day, he’s still the best thing that’s ever happened to me. 

And that’s one thing baseball can’t claim.