OUR BIG DAY! Travis Lakins', Hubs', Red Sox Call Up

Travis Lakins Major League Debut

There aren't too many times where I'm unsure of what to say or where I can't at least come up with something that sounds good. My best friend, Molly Blomer says, "Lex can talk the horns off of a Billy Goat." It's so true. But in this moment that took place yesterday, I was lost for words.

4:14 PM yesterday. This was a moment I personally had been waiting for since I started my first regular season with Travis as a married couple last year, a moment I had been praying for since our baby girl was born on August 13th, and a moment that I could never fathom the significance of in the mind of my hardworking, relentless husband who had dreamt of this moment for years and years and years before I ever knew God had me apart of his plan. I decided that for this incredible moment the best response would be "No way. Are you serious?" Yes, that was my response. This is how the conversation went (verbatim):

Travis: "Uh, I need you to pack everything and get here as fast as you can. How quick can you get here?"

Me: "Little one is napping and all of our bags are unpacked but I'll do my best. What's going on? Is everything okay?"

Travis: "I'm going to the big leagues. They told me to get there as soon as I could."

Me: "No way baby. Are you serious? That is amazing. Congratulations. I told you it was coming! I'll pack as quickly as I can and I'll be on my way."

I packed our entire hotel and made it to Travis at McCoy stadium in about 20 minutes (A huge shout out to the staff at Quality Inn in Seekonk, RI. The drive from our hotel was about 15 minutes if that tells you the packing skills I have acquired in preparation for this moment (although, I now wish I had a picture of the back of the car. Brezzy Lou, our baby girl was screaming from me waking her from her nap and Panda, our dog, was so confused why she was sitting on top of a case of water, the diaper bag, and a few other loose items but I was at an all time peace).

The few days leading up to this moment were tough. Movement had been happening across the organization and Travis and I had many talks about avoiding mental fatigue, being patient, and making it through a few bumpy phases. Travis is the most confident, level-headed athlete I know but we had a few days leading up to his big moment where reassurance was needed. I turned Travis to the bible and reminded him that God had a plan. That He had led Travis, gave Travis this purpose, career and opportunity and therefore we knew that He would provide, in His perfect timing:

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I got to the field and jumped out of the car to meet Travis who was racing to the back to throw in his locker bag. I hugged and kissed him and told him again how proud I was. He says, "babe, where's my bag? I have to change. I can't be showing up to the field looking like this." I though he looked pretty cute: black Nike joggers, a fitted T, and his Boras hat. We scrambled for his bag, realized the baby walker wasn't going to fit, I ran it in to the family room at McCoy, he jumped in driver's seat and we were on our way!

As Travis mentioned in his interview, we said very few things on the way to Fenway. We said we were pumped, couldn't believe it, and were excited for the game. AND THAT'S IT. The processing that was taking place was unreal. The adrenaline that was already building was indescribable. I honestly think if Boston would have asked ME to pitch, I would have been ready, too!

We dropped Travis at gate D an hour and a half after he got the call (he's pretty impressive with driving time at this point, too as we are almost at 3 year mile limit on our lease in our first year). I couldn't help but ask how it was shortly after dropping him and he had one word for me to describe most of the day and night:

"UNREAL"

The events leading up to the game blended together. I got us checked in to the hotel. Things were already so different. A big "hello big leagues" was the fact I didn't have to unload the car solo and we were escorted to our pretty room. I hustled to get Brezzy and I bundled up for game time and back to Fenway we went.

The security at the game was awesome. They took the car for little one and I, walked us in, and helped me down to my seat with her Bumbo seat, boppie, and diaper bag. So easy compared to my normal, hot-mess-self. And Brezzlynne was an awesome baby last night. I think she felt the peace too but knew she had excitement to prepare for. She took a little nap until it was time for daddy!

I watched Travis intently and tried to imagine what was going through his head waiting for that phone to ring. And it did ring! Brezzlynne woke up to me screaming to the new friends I had made, "That's my husband! He's warming up!" I was sitting in the family section 21 behind home plate which is a long way from the bull pen but at this point, I could see his arm action and mannerisms from hundreds of yards away. He had told me earlier before dropping him off (we were exaggerating about only 10 words being spoken on the way to the field) "I'll probably send my first warm up pitch into the other bullpen." I was glad to see that he looked normal, composed and did not send his first pitch into the Tiger bullpen. This was a defining moment for me and I watched in admiration. I chalked this moment up to one simple fact: He looked like he belonged. I'll blame it on the pregnancy hormones but in this moment I started to cry. Such a happy happy happy cry. I snapped out of what seemed liking going through the motions, out of the adrenaline, and realized what exactly was happening, what was about to happen.

I saw Cora approach the mound and Travis started his infamous jog to the mound and his little skip when he hit the grass. This was it! And I think everyone knows how that first batter went!

He went on to finish with 2 strike outs and only 1 run in 2 and 2/3 innings during his first debut. Nothing could have been more impressive than him coming in with

1 out, runners on first and third. Then striking out his first batter,and then out of the inning with no runs (produced a little dinker).

I always shoot him a text directly after his outing but had no idea that he'd be out for 2 more innings (more than he had thrown since his switch from starter to reliever).

After the game, so many amazing things happened:

-A long line of kids waited at our car for his autograph directly after the game.

-Travis shared with me that Dombrowski himself said something along the lines of: "I'm sorry I didn't catch you before the game but I wanted to let you know that you're here to stay." WOW!

-He received 175 texts of congratulations and support including texts from Matt Holliday and Scott Boras.

-His agent, Mike, called and had a very special conversation that I got to hear over speaker (tears again!) He made sure Travis recognized what all he had accomplished; the rarity, the talent it takes. He also shared something that Cora mentioned: that He looked like he belonged (Great minds think alike!)

- Travis' parents confirmed their trip here (they get to visit the rest of the week!) compliments of the Boston Red Sox and should get to see him pitch in the next day or so!

-Travis, with all the excitement and commotion, still took time to cheers a class of wine with me as we settled in to bed last night and enjoyed breakfast with us this morning (he's a trooper!)

-Leslee Holliday called and said how awesome Travis was last night. She made time to coach me through the next couple of days and really reminded Travis and I to soak this up and just enjoy!

We walked Travis to the field around 1:30 today. He didn't have report until about 3:30 but wanted to get there early. Again, I admire him. While he could be satisfied, he continues to go over and beyond and grind. Today was his first day going through full routine and I can't wait to hear all about it. On our stroll to the park we re-talked our timeline on our first home given our new situation and talked about our new goals. I think he nailed it when he said "It's a dream come true."

We know this game and life can fluctuate and bring about many changes without a moment's notice so for now, we will just continue to work as a team and take it day by day. I am confident that for Travis, it's an inning by inning type mindset.

He most likely won't pitch tonight so little one and I are holding down the fort and prepping for grandma and grandpa. We will return to Fenway to see our guy tomorrow!