Almost two years ago, my family decided to open up our home and become a billet family for the Springfield Jr. Blues.
---What exactly is a billet family? A billet family is a family that opens their home to junior hockey players and provides a home-away-from-home experience to them. A billet family is much like a host family.---
We made this decision after many years of thought, and even some begging on my part. I have learned a lot about my billet brothers and hockey players in general throughout the last two years.
1. I finally got to have a brother...or many brothers
---Some I have been closer with than others. And yes, you do fight with your billet brothers sometimes.But, they are great friends and protectors when need be. (I may or may not be protective of my boys as well).
2. The hockey stench doesn't go away.
---It's always there...even the special soap they sell doesn't help. But, you get used to it!
4. It is a small world after all!
--- Traveling around the country and having boys from different states makes for a lot of road trips. But traveling to Russia to see the boys is high on my bucket list! I will always have a place to visit between the 21 (I think) guys we have housed. Not only that but the hockey "world" is insanely small. Everybody knows everybody!
5. They eat...A LOT!
---Don't leave your leftover Cheesecake Factory in the fridge because chances are when you come home, it will have been devoured.
6. They are really just girls trapped in a man's body.
---They are big tough guys on the ice...but off the ice they're total DIVAS! They have the highest fashion sense---or lack there of---and SO many shoes. (I thought I had a problem!) Between pre-game rituals and chipotle runs I can't keep up.
7. "Family" is forever.
---We still visit and talk to many of our boys, some even everyday! They all hold a special place in our hearts and will forever be "our boys".
8. Sleep becomes minimal.
---Between shouting at the Xbox, and picking the boys up from the rink at odd hours of the night, your sleep schedule will be distraught at times.
9. You will pick up on their lingo.
---Hockey players have their own little language that will slip into your vocabulary eventually. "That goal was so dirty!" will soon be something that gets said around the house quite often.
10. What did I sign up for?
---Initially you think you're singing up to house and feed them...soon you realize you really needed a medical degree. Between hospital visits, concussions, X-rays, and missing teeth you'll begin to wonder what you really signed up for!
11. Hockey is expensive.
---Just be glad that you're not the one paying for pads, equipment, protein, and camps! Billet families have the lighter end of the spectrum!
Being a billet family has been the most fun, spontaneous and hardest part of my life so far. When times are good, they're GREAT! But, the hardest and worst part of all are the "goodbyes", but remember it's just a "see ya later"! I love my boys and miss them all dearly! Is it hockey season yet!?
Goodbyes are not forever. Goodbyes are not the end. They simply mean We'll miss you Until we meet again! ~Author Unknown
