18 Jun A Day at the Park by Brittany Nelson
Father’s Day is always a fun way to kick off the summer. It’s a great day to cook out and enjoy spending time with family, but we can’t forget the real reason why we celebrate. When I think about Father’s Day, I flashback to some of my fondest memories from my childhood, and how far my Dad went just to make me smile.
When I was a kid, my Dad took me to a Baltimore Orioles game every year for my birthday. It was the highlight of my year. I was the little girl who had a collection of hundreds of baseball cards and wore my Orioles t-shirt religiously. I had Orioles posters and pennants in my bedroom and called myself Mrs. Brady Anderson, named after a Baltimore Orioles outfielder, during imaginary games.
Going to the game was an exciting adventure. We arrived at the stadium early so we could get a good spot at batting practice. We always had our gloves and all that mattered was scooping up a foul ball that rolled our way. I think my Dad actually caught all the balls, but I definitely took all the credit. I still have my collection of baseballs and some even have autographs from my favorite players.
I remember yelling “Charge” during the game, doing the wave, and using my binoculars to check out the cute baseball players in the dugout. I seriously was convinced I would marry Brady Anderson.
When I was a teenager, our hometown finally created the Washington Nationals, a new baseball team in the National League. We had moved to Atlanta and my Dad spent nearly a decade tirelessly persevering in his pursuit to make me a Nationals fan. We loved to watch the Nationals play the Braves in Atlanta each year. Like old times, we wore our gear and had fun being some of the only Nats fans in the stadium. When I was in college, I enjoyed taking my Dad to a game for his birthday just like he used to take me.
I moved back to Washington, D.C. almost four years ago, which has put a damper on our baseball dates. We had a blast a few years ago actually seeing our team play at Nationals Park and I always text my Dad pictures when I’m at a game, but I do miss those birthday baseball games.
That’s why I can’t wait for this summer and the Father’s Day present I’m giving my Dad. My parents are coming to visit and my Dad and I are going to a Nationals game – just the two of us! It’s going to be like old times when I was a little kid staring at Brady Anderson in the dugout and wanting nothing more than to spend an afternoon with the best Dad in the world. So this Father’s Day, let’s remember all the wonderful things Dads do just to make their little girls smile.
Brittany Nelson, Co- Founder of GWG – GabbinWith The Girls, resides in Arlington, Virginia with her husband Paul and dog Elsa.
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Brittany Nelson is the co-founder of GWG. After many years of volunteering in international ministry, she became excited about helping other young women discover their passion. Brittany is a Jr. HR Generalist at a consulting firm in the DC area. She spends her free time exploring DC and going to Washington Wizards games with her husband, Paul.
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