I went to the Phoenix Suns game tonight (12/3/10) with the friend I have who works for the Suns. It was just like any other Suns game I have been to recently. Free tickets, great seats, great company, etc. The Suns won the game and we headed to my friends office to retrieve our coats and begin the journey home. My friend however was looking for a fellow co worker because it was this co workers last day and she had a gift to give her. This is where the dream comes true part happens.
I was told by my friend that she needed to head down to the court because that was where her co worker was. She asked if I wanted to come and of course I said yes. We took the courtside seat ticket holders special tunnel down to the court. This isn't the actual court. This is the place the tunnel leads to that all the players and courtside seat ticket holders walk through at halftime and after the game. I was then lead through the tunnel to the court. I was able to walk on to the court get some pictures taken and I of course jumped up and grabbed the rim just so I could say I did it. The highlight of the on court experience was Bailee and my friends son having a race from one baseline to the other baseline (it was a tie).
We then went back through the tunnel to meet up with the co worker my friend was trying to find. As they were talking the Suns players were slowly making their way to their cars that were parked in the under ground lot which is part of the arena. Chase (my friends son) and Bailee were asked if they would like to give high 5's to the players, they both said yes. So one by one as the players were coming out and walking our way the security guard the players all knew would give them some dap and then tell them they had a couple little ones waiting for high 5's. This is something Chase and his mom (my friend) have experienced quite often. It was obviously new for Bailee and me.
First Earl Clark came out and Bailee was instantly shy hiding behind her Dad. Then Hedo Turkoglu came by and Bailee again hid behind me. So Hedo stepped closer to me and started playing what could be called peek a boo with Bailee trying to get her to come out from behind me. No such luck. Then he reached out and shook my hand said thanks for coming, I said great game, thank you (trying not to drool) and he went on his way. The next guy that came out was Channing Frye and Chase gave him a high five and he said oww! Hearing this, Bailee was suddenly interested in giving high fives because she wanted to make them say oww too. Jared Dudley came next (my personal favorite Suns player) gave Bailee a high five and then proceeded to introduce his 2 or so year old daughter to Bailee. Suddenly Lute Olson appeared (legendary coach of the UofA Wildcats basketball team) he was super nice. The last two players we saw were Jason Richardson and Grant Hill. Bailee gave Grant Hill a high 5 and slightly missed his hand but instead of just being done with it Grant said something like, oh wait we have to do that again you got to hit the whole hand, and on the second try she did.
This was all happening in front of me as I was trying to contain my emotions and drool. Really a once in a lifetime type experience. Something I will be able to share with Bailee when she is older. A Dream Come True if you will!
Karl
