It’s been a while since I’ve written my last blog. I’m now settled into my new position at Florida Tech and couldn’t be happier. I work for a fantastic head coach, Jeff Tam, and the rest of this team has been an absolute pleasure to work with. When deciding on making this big move, there was a big portion of it that had nothing to do with baseball. I was able to move closer to my parents again. If you know me or have read any of my previous blogs, you know that I was adopted by my grandparents. I’m writing this blog in the comfort of their home and wanted to share some stories. When I first began writing these blogs, I was on a search for who I really was. In that search, I shared some stories about how spoiled I was growing up. I was beginning to figure out that discomfort is a vital portion of life and I was constantly running away from it. I found this out through writing, and it was uncomfortable for my parents to find this out through my blog. I wrote stories about growing up spoiled, and when things started to go south for me, I didn’t know how to handle these issues because of it.They wanted nothing but the best for me and that’s the reason I didn’t have many struggles growing up. I now want to take the chance to let everyone know that my parents taught me the most important thing to do in life: love.

Taylor and I were both raised by our grandparents. We saw the importance of a long lasting relationship. Their relationships are going on 60+ years to this date. We saw the old fashion values of never giving up. I think this is a massive reason Taylor and I have been able to have such a strong and lasting relationship. We are going to have our 5th wedding anniversary in less than a week. So we have over 60 years to go as well! We saw our grandparents face the problems of life just like any other kids, but we saw that it never mattered and they always stood by each other. 

My Mom is an amazing woman and taught me the importance of Discipline. She has always put others before herself. Growing up she would do everything for me when it came to my laundry, cooking and cleaning. When my friends would come over, she would get the biggest smile on her face when she would give us her famous cheesy Doritos. It was just nacho cheese Doritos with cheddar cheese on top. Why was I a chubby kid? There’s one reason. The holidays were the best time of year because of all the cooking she did. Her Chex mix is the most addictive snack in the world. Her cookies are simply the best, no debating that. Here’s a picture of her famous Santa cookies that are absolute masterpieces.

The time and effort she put in the kitchen to make everyone else’s holidays great is unmatched. She is always worrying about how she is making other people feel. It was an incredible daily example of servant leadership.

My Dad was always looking to give me the best life possible. The time that meant most to me was when life hit me in the face for the first time. I was at Tampa Prep for a college summer baseball league. I had just finished my disappointing freshman campaign at UNCG and it was continuing into the summer. My last at-bat of the game, I hit a dribbler to the pitcher and came back to the dugout. I broke down and wanted to quit baseball. I knew I wasn’t good enough to compete at UNCG and didn’t know what to do. He was there to pick me up. I worked my ass off after and had a way better fall season than I thought I could’ve. I still got cut. I broke down to Taylor and my Dad. They picked me up. I transferred to GTCC, committed to Catawba and then found out I needed to take 15 credit hours in the summer to be eligible in the fall. I failed my last class. I broke down and I lived with my parents that fall. That fall we went to an open field and hit 200 baseballs everyday. I wrote in more detail about that here, How I Became a Power Hitter. He was my number one fan and showered me with love at every turn. He still keeps that passion in my coaching career waiting to hear how every game went. 

My parents showed me by example what “Love” is. If you know me, you don’t question the love that I have for my wife, Taylor. I am capable of giving this much love because of how much love was poured into me growing up. I was so lucky to have the upbringing that I had. I know that Taylor and I will do the same for our kids when they are here, but for now I just want to thank my parents for giving me everything and more.