A day with Bubbie

Yesterday Mark and I took Parker and my nephew Gabe to the Tiger's game.  This was something we have had planned for at least 2 months so we were all really looking forward to it, though I think I was looking forward to it the most.  See Gabe in the picture, wearing the blue hat?  He was my first baby boy. 

I met him, my brother and sister in law when Gabe was only 2-3 months old.  The first time I saw him and held him I immediately fell in love.  From that point on I would take Gabe for the weekends, drive up to Saginaw constantly just to see my new found family.  I cannot tell you how many pictures I have of my holding Gabe, rocking him, feeding him, playing with him, napping and snuggling with him.  We formed a bond.  I was his Aunt Manna, he was my Bubbie.

Fast forward a few years and some changes in life later and I feel like I lost my relationship with them all on account of these changes significantly altering my brother.  It saddened me...I lost my brother whom I always wanted a relationship with, my sister in law Amanda whom I had grown close to, my Bubbie and my beautiful niece Kadie who was still just a baby.

A couple of years after that Amanda reached out to me, AND despite everything she wanted to make sure I had a relationship with the kids.  Our own relationship has begun to strengthen again as well. I'll never be able to thank her enough for this.

My Bubbie is now 11 years old and only 2-3 inches shorter than I am.  He also proudly informed me he weighs 116lbs.  He's so smart and loving, and seemed very at ease being with us without his mom close by. 

So needless to say, to be given a day to hang with my Bubbie...I was thrilled beyond ecstatic.  I think they had a pretty good time too, despite the heat. 

As Amanda and I set a day where I can take Kadie to do something fun just her and I and the date was pushed into September due to busy schedules Gabe quickly said "I have to wait that long to see them again?!?"  No worries Bubbie, we'll work something out.  :)

Getting ready to leave Gabe gave me several hugs.  Not just a quick little hug but a real squeeze, where he held on for a few seconds each time.  Maybe he missed me as much as I missed him.  Our bond might have been interrupted temporarily but it wasn't severed.  I love that boy so.

Oh, and the game??  We won!!  It was a sold out game as we swept the Chicago White Sox putting us up by 1.5 games in the American League Central.  AND Miguel Cabrera hit his 300th homerun.  We all high-fived each other with each run made.  A successful day all the way around.