Best Present for His 13 Bday.

About two weeks before Henry's bday, Janis (our nanny for the 1st nine and half years of our life) asked if Henry was going to the Timbers game on the weekend of his birthday.

I asked why....and she said she had a surprise.

The surprise ended up being a phone call and FANTASTIC offer from John Strong -- one of Henry's idols. Henry wants to be a sportscaster and John is about as good as it gets. Janis is good friends with John's mom -- friends in good places :)

He called the Monday before his birthday on my cell phone. A stunned Henry couldn't believe the phone call and when John asked him to come early to the Sunday Timbers game to see the behind scenes action, Henry immediately started crying with joy. He spent the next six days SO excited and so enamored with the opportunity.

We got there at 1PM and he took us through the executive suites. He introduced us to everyone, introducing Henry as 13 years old and the next sportscaster in ten years. We met all these TV and radio personalities ..which was surreal as we felt like we already knew them and John introduced to him so players.

The best part was that he was really focused on sharing with Henry what it took to get to where he is and what is job is really about. 

He talked through his path to how he got to where he is. He showed Henry all of his notes, his process, and even showed us the starting line up -- which was not yet public and had some big changes in it.

Then he took us out to the big huge truck on the side and showed us everything that is in it and the back end technology you have to know about the team you work with. 

He told henry the things he wanted him to work on and the next steps to take and said that he should keep in touch and that next time - he would like Henry in the booth up with him for the entire game.

To say that Henry's head was spinning with excitement and ideas for what he could to try and make his dream a reality is an understatement.

John is such a stellar and amazing person and it was just incredible.

Such a great way to kick off his teenage years-- he is so lucky.

I was so amazed and in awe.....I completely forgot to take ANY picture. Oh well, it allowed me to fully absorb the moment and the images will be stuck in my heart and mind forever.