Cheers erupting. The smell of stale beer and food cooking. Rows and rows of team attire. The chants. The line-up for the game.

Baseball's Opening Day has never been just a day to me. It is the beginning of baseball season and the beginning of nice weather. It is the beginning of nostalgic memories.

I went to my first New York Mets game when I was a one year old little girl. I basically grew up in Shea Stadium, I was lucky enough to experience so many influential moments there.

While it was a dump, it was our dump. My dad and I spent so much time at Shea, but some of my favorite memories were on Opening Day.

My dad was a stickler for perfect attendance. I wasn't allowed to miss school for any reason, other than Opening Day. He would pick me up early from school every year and fib about a doctors appointment. My jersey and glove would be waiting in his truck for me, as we rode to Flushing, singing our favorite songs together.

Opening Day was a fresh, clean slate. More times than not, us Mets fans endured a long season. But there was nothing more perfect than enjoying the start of baseball with my very best friend.

I haven't been able to enjoy an Opening Day in a few years. Since the sudden death of my father, I have struggled to immerse into enjoying Opening Day as I once did.

Even though I know my dad would want me to carry on our traditions, it just is impossible to do without him.

While Opening Day is just a day for you, it is more than just a day for me. It is a day that marks the beginning of something new, a season unknown.

People who are not baseball fans do not understand the deep-rooted connections that we form with our teams. It is a bond that is so deeply connected with nostalgia and emotion.

It is a bond that is often explained best by videos or pictures. I can see a highlight from a past game and recall all of the details from that day.

So, when I think back to all of my Opening Day experiences, I remember it all. All of the unfiltered, joyous, overwhelming experiences. My fathers eyes glimmering in the sun. His new jersey, tucked into his jeans. His commentary on the line up. And, of course, our choice of food for that game.

Opening Day will always be such an emotional day, because I know I am missing my other half.

"Meet the Mets, Meet the Mets. Step right up and meet the Mets. Bring your kiddies, bring your wife. Guaranteed to have the time of your life, because the Mets are really sockin' the ball, knocking those homeruns over the wall, East Side, West Side, everybodys coming down to meet the M E T S METS, of New York Town."

In Loving Memory -- SLB, 10.05.1960