The Stars Aligned: 2014 MLB Draft

WARNING: What you are about to read is a full-on proud baseball wife post. Enjoy!…

I was at my brother’s office farewell party talking to a friend of mine at the time when the Arizona Diamondbacks announced that they were taking my husband’s prospect in the first round of the 2014 Major League Baseball draft. Everyone else at the bar was paying attention to the Miami Heat play against the San Antonio Spurs and I could care less. I was focused on hitting “refresh” on my phone just about every six minutes until I saw the news; “The Arizona Diamondbacks pick Touki Toussaint RHS (right handed starter) from Coral Springs Christian Academy” as the 16th overall pick! (Actual image of that precise moment is below).

I couldn’t believe it. I jumped out of my seat, excused myself and quickly ran out of the bar. Just as I get outside, my husband, who was at the draft room in Arizona at the time, sends me a text message that simply says, “I got him.” I could feel his shock and disbelief. I replied with ALL CAPS and numerous exclamation marks trying to somehow express my overwhelming joy and immeasurable excitement through the means of a simple text message. I then got a call from my mother-in-law and then from my mother since they had both heard and/or seen it happen too. It was amazing. I had yet to speak with my husband and I knew that I wouldn’t be able to immediately.

Only a few hours before, I had gotten a call from my husband telling me that he had to step out of the draft room because he needed to take a breather… He confessed that he was consumed with nerves because it looked like they might actually draft Touki. By this time, “Touki” had become a household name. I knew exactly who he was and the enormity of the feat if he were to get drafted by FF. That’s when I got nervous. I was still controlled and poised, (obvioulsy! hellooo!) but freakin’ nervous, man! I finally got to talk to him hours after the first day of the draft was over. I could feel his smile through the phone while he basked in the moment, as he should. I could also picture him looking down to the ground, pressing on his eyelids as he cried and laughed. I pouted my lips and gripped my own arms pretending to be hugging him ever so tightly. This was, without a doubt, one of the greatest moments in his life.

I’m so proud of my husband for this and for so many other things. This instance is only a moment in his career that will always be in our memory. Scouts don’t get money or a trophy for this. They get another player’s name in their resume and if they’re lucky, recognition. They work very very hard every single day of the week, leaving families and the normalcy that comes with a 9-5 job to make it happen. The stars aligned for my husband this year. Preparation met Opportunity creating just the right amount of luck.

{Press Conference Video. FF speaks at the very beginning and the very end}

As a proud baseball wife, I can’t help but share the news. I don’t do this to show off or gloat. I’m just happy that all of my husband’s sacrifice and hard work (for all the previous years) has paid off. He wouldn’t share this information on his own because he is too humble and quiet to do so. I, on the other hand, want to share it. I also share the not-so-fun stuff about being a baseball wife. So why not share the good?  This is the cherry on top. A definite boost. We were lucky. Now I just can’t wait for him to take a much needed break from all the traveling to finally stay home for more than just 4 days. I don’t care if he sleeps the entire time. At least he’s home. I’m so proud of you FF!

For all the husbands and wives out there whose life is affected by a traveling spouse, take a moment to celebrate every small moment and milestone. They are worth all the hours that are spent outside of the home.

Thanks for reading!

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