Father Son Bonding Time

Stacy had a happy hour tonight with co-workers.  I've learned over the years that "hour" has a different definition than sixty minutes when it involves my wife, colleagues and happy.  When I acknowledged that I was fine with her going out, I was acknowledging that I was fine with spending the majority of the evening with Grayson.

Don't tell Stacy, but I love evenings with Grayson.

I picked him up from daycare around 4:45, a little earlier than his normal pick-up time.  He was smiling from the moment he saw my face.  I don't normally pick him up from daycare.  I do the majority of the drop-offs; Stacy does the pick-ups, so the joy on his face is still novel to me.  On the drive home, I talked to Grayson about the route we were taking, about things we were seeing, and about how I was looking forward to spending the night with him.

I don't remember spending one-on-one time with my dad when I was a boy, at least not often.  I'm sure that we did it, but I know how hard my dad worked, so I assume the time was few and far between... especially when I was a boy.  I do, however, remember watching the 1991 World Series with my dad.  I remember watching an inning or two, then pretending to go to bed at the same time as my sisters, only to sneak back downstairs for every game.  Regardless of my excitement, I had to be quiet, as to not wake the girls.  Game 6 was by far the hardest.  I was 13.  That World Series is still my favorite sports memory, not because it is still considered one of the greatest series of all time, but because I watched my home team win a title while sitting next to my dad on the couch.

I know that Grayson will never remember tonight, but we sat on the couch together watching Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals.  I explained to him what a goal is in hockey.  I explained icing.  He was enthralled.  I understand that he was enthralled with the colors and the motion, but I like to think that he is quickly becoming a hockey fan.  The most important thing I explained to Grayson tonight was the responsibility to cheer for your home team.  I explained that we were cheering for the Bruins tonight because our good friend, Mike, was from Boston.  Mike was back home this week in Boston; I heard through the grapevine that he was in some one's basement watching the game, no doubt in a Bruins jersey.

Stacy eventually came home.  She fed Grayson, and he is now fast asleep.  Boston and Chicago are tied at 4 with half the 3rd period to go.  I'm blogging in front of the TV, trying to silence my excitement.

Regardless of how the game turns out, I had wonderful bonding time with my son.