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Abstract

p rooting for three of the local teams — the Oakland (now Las Vegas) Raiders, Golden State Warriors, and Oakland Athletics. I have many fond memories of attending their games with family and friends throughout the years.My then-fiancée, Kay, and I relocated to Los Angeles in 2019 and scheduled our church wedding for October of 2020. However, due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, we decided to postpone it until October of 2021. It was a difficult choice to make, but one that was necessary to keep loved ones as healthy as possible.By the spring of 2021, the number of COVID-19 fatalities in the United States had begun to decrease. Most people I knew had also chosen to be vaccinated. Hence, I decided to host a last-minute bachelor party in June of that year, two months prior to the wedding. As a then-37-year-old introvert, I had no interest in the “stereotypical” celebration with drugs and strippers. So, I did what any sport fan living in Los Angeles would do……I decided to host my bachelor party at a Los Angeles Dodgers game.Why a Dodgers game? A Los Angeles Chargers or Rams game was out of the question as football season had not started. I was also not interested in attending a Los Angeles Lakers or Clippers game since they were bitter rivals with my hometown Warri

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ors. Plus, I had always respected the iconic Dodgers organization, so it seemed like a perfect reason to watch them play in person and visit Dodger Stadium for the first time.To make a long story short, my bachelor party was a success! Not only did the Dodgers defeat the Los Angeles Angels that evening, but I also spent time with six of my closest friends:My best man and nephew, J.J.My wedding godparent and older brother, J.C.My groomsmen, Chevy (who was also my cousin), Brian, Ashley, and Shay.After the game, we drank beer, played video games, and laughed the night away at an arcade bar in Los Angeles’ Arts District.My bachelor party was extra special because all of the guys (except for Chevy) were Bay Area residents and traveled 375 miles to Los Angeles to attend it. Their decisions to come were generous, selfless, a certainly a symbol of loyalty. Despite the physical distance. Despite the threat of COVID-19. Despite it all, they chose to be present on one of the most memorable days of my life.They did not hesitate. They did not complain. They did not express anxiety, regret, or concern. Not a single time.I have the best buddies in the world, for which I am forever grateful.</article></body>

The Twelve Days of 40: Part 9/13

Previously on “The Twelve Days of 40”

You have likely heard the song “The 12 Days of Christmas” at some point in your life. “On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…” Blah, blah, blah. Et cetera. So on and so forth.

To celebrate my 40th birthday scheduled to take place less than a year from now, I would like to look back at the 12 most unforgettable days of my life (plus one honorable mention). They have all made me the person I am today: an imperfect, yet perfectly happy husband, father, son, brother, and human being.

It would only make sense to start at the bottom of the list and work our way to the top. So, without further ado…

No. 5: Hosting my bachelor party at a Los Angeles Dodgers game.

The day was a lesson in loyalty…

I have loved professional football, basketball, and baseball for as long as I can remember. As a San Francisco Bay Area native, I had grown up rooting for three of the local teams — the Oakland (now Las Vegas) Raiders, Golden State Warriors, and Oakland Athletics. I have many fond memories of attending their games with family and friends throughout the years.

My then-fiancée, Kay, and I relocated to Los Angeles in 2019 and scheduled our church wedding for October of 2020. However, due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, we decided to postpone it until October of 2021. It was a difficult choice to make, but one that was necessary to keep loved ones as healthy as possible.

By the spring of 2021, the number of COVID-19 fatalities in the United States had begun to decrease. Most people I knew had also chosen to be vaccinated. Hence, I decided to host a last-minute bachelor party in June of that year, two months prior to the wedding. As a then-37-year-old introvert, I had no interest in the “stereotypical” celebration with drugs and strippers. So, I did what any sport fan living in Los Angeles would do…

…I decided to host my bachelor party at a Los Angeles Dodgers game.

Why a Dodgers game? A Los Angeles Chargers or Rams game was out of the question as football season had not started. I was also not interested in attending a Los Angeles Lakers or Clippers game since they were bitter rivals with my hometown Warriors. Plus, I had always respected the iconic Dodgers organization, so it seemed like a perfect reason to watch them play in person and visit Dodger Stadium for the first time.

To make a long story short, my bachelor party was a success! Not only did the Dodgers defeat the Los Angeles Angels that evening, but I also spent time with six of my closest friends:

My best man and nephew, J.J.

My wedding godparent and older brother, J.C.

My groomsmen, Chevy (who was also my cousin), Brian, Ashley, and Shay.

After the game, we drank beer, played video games, and laughed the night away at an arcade bar in Los Angeles’ Arts District.

My bachelor party was extra special because all of the guys (except for Chevy) were Bay Area residents and traveled 375 miles to Los Angeles to attend it. Their decisions to come were generous, selfless, a certainly a symbol of loyalty. Despite the physical distance. Despite the threat of COVID-19. Despite it all, they chose to be present on one of the most memorable days of my life.

They did not hesitate. They did not complain. They did not express anxiety, regret, or concern. Not a single time.

I have the best buddies in the world, for which I am forever grateful.