Ever since I was a little girl, it has been a dream of mine to travel to New York City to see my favorite team in the entire world play baseball. My parents surprised me for my 19th birthday in June with tickets to see them and September 11, 2016 was one of the best days of my life. I love the Yankees more than words can express and being able to spend this day with my incredible parents made it even more special. It was truly the experience of a lifetime to be at Yankees Stadium for such an incredible game.
On Saturday, September 10, 2016, my mother, father and I left our home to travel to Johnson City, NY. The first car ride was about a four hour drive, but it honestly went by really smoothly and I couldn't complain! After we got situated in the hotel, we went to the mall next door to our hotel and then it was time for bed! The next morning we woke up at 5:30 to make our tour bus by 6:45. The ride into the city was surprisingly really smooth and when I saw Yankees Stadium on the bus, I was swarmed with so many different emotions. In a matter of time, I was going to be living out one of my dreams. I knew that it was going to be an amazing day!When we got off of the bus and were walking towards the stadium, I was completely mesmerized by how beautiful the stadium was. It was so stunning and breathtaking. To think of how many players, past and present, and have played or walked through that stadium. To think of how much history the Yankees have was truly heartwarming.
Before I even blinked my eyes, it was 11:00 a.m. and the stadium doors opened. We were the first people into the stadium and I felt myself tearing up. It was finally here! The day that I was going to see my first Yankees game was finally upon me! I walked into the stadium and to my left, I saw banners of Yankees Legends, shops and different food selections being cooked to perfection. To my right, I saw three photographers, all ready to take my photo (I felt like a celebrity for a second!).
Before the game started, we walked around the stadium, bought Yankees gear (of course), and tried some really cool food choices, such as chocolate covered bacon on a stick (which is surprisingly delicious!). I also got Richard Bleier's autograph, one of the pitchers for the Yankees, on my build-a-bear yankees bear that was dressed in pinstripes and all! It was such an amazing experience and the game didn't even start yet!
Before the game started, the Yankees honored the lives lost in the terrorist attacks in New York City on 9/11/01. It was the 15 anniversary of the attacks and the Yankees honored the lives of the brave men and women who serve, as well as those who lost their lives. From a full marching band to the NYPD surrounding the entire field, it was a truly breathtaking ceremony. I am proud to be an American and always will be. I truly commend the Yankees for organizing an amazing tribute to such a important day in United States History. As the Yankees said, we shall never forget.
When the game started to commence, my eyes were glued to the field. Watching the game in person is so much different than watching games on the TV in my living room. During the game, I got to dance to the YMCA, the "Cotton-Eyed Joe," and chant on the top of my lungs for my favorite team. What could possibly be better?! Even though we didn't win, we didn't have to. My dream came true because I was watching my inspirations do what they do best. Being surrounded by so many other Yankees fans made me feel so at home in the Stadium.
The best part of the entire trip was spending it with the two most important individuals in my life, my mother and father. I have grown up watching every Yankees game on TV with my father. I played baseball and softball for 13 years where my dad was my coach and my mother was my #1 cheerleader. They are the reason why I am the young woman I am today and I feel so incredibly blessed to be able to call them my parents. Seeing them smile at the game made my heart so full of love. Having them with me to experience a prized dream of mine made my day so perfect.
I will never forget my experience at Yankees Stadium for my first game. It was truly the experience of a lifetime and I hope that I can go back for another game very soon!
