Hi everyone, Calder here.
I am super excited. Why? Well, maybe you should ask where Devon is right now? I am thrilled to answer. Devon and Mario are in Japan, making their debut at the Olympics.
I couldn’t be prouder of them both and their dedication to the sport they love. However, with that said, I am sad I can’t be there watching in person, jumping out of my seat cheering them on.
The good news is, I am hosting a private watch party with our friends at my bar. Yes, masks are required, and also everyone in attendance is fully vaccinated. Devon set up the rules for the watch party. And we all agreed and respect his knowledge of the virus.
Devon contemplated not competing in the Olympics. The postponement of the games in 2020 and the need for all medical personal to be available and on-call had him conflicted. Why? Because the daily volleyball practices were practically non-existent as he worked twelve-hour shifts at the hospital taking care of the sick. Without the daily training, he felt they’d lose their momentum. At least, that is what he shared with me. Devon felt horrible because Mario depended on him, but he could not change the fact he had to put his job first. He didn’t want to let anyone down; yet, he had no choice but to do what his job required of him. Therefore, he reluctantly agreed when his boss and the entire hospital administrators insisted he go and represent the USA.
Currently, I am sitting at my bar in San Francisco writing this while I wait for my friends, Rachel, Brody, Zero, Chance, Sheila, Dempsey, Kara, my mom, and my dad, to join me. So everyone that could make it tonight will be here.
Okay, gotta go, they’re arriving. I’ll finish later…
I’m back. Let me fill you in on how the rest of the evening went. Once I mixed drinks for everyone, we settled in to watch the match on the big screen TV.
Devon told me before he left that he would pat his chest over his heart to show me I was there with him in spirit. And he did that before every serve. I shared with Rachel earlier what Devon planned. She smiled at me when she witnessed his heartfelt affection.
I will admit I shed tears of relief and joy when they won their first prelim match moving up in the series. I’m sure they heard us shouting in Tokyo. We were on our feet, cheering, hugging, and jumping around.
Brody pulled out his phone and began recording us in our celebratory dance. He immediately sent it to Devon and Mario. Them knowing we saw their win would keep them focused and in the zone.
This certainly is not how any athlete wants their Olympic experience to be. No spectators, no family, friends, or significant others supporting them in the stands. However, the competitors are dedicated to the sports they love, and they just roll with what is presented to them. NO virus would stop an athlete from fighting for the gold.
We partied into the night to celebrate the first win in the series. Then, I reviewed the schedule to let everyone know when we would meet again at Wet Spot for Flair. This was now officially dubbed watch party central. There was no way we weren’t all going to be together to witness the two men we love, bring home the gold.
Everyone left, and I cleaned up the bar before heading home to call Devon and congratulate him in our own intimate way.
Cheers from the Unrelenting crew,
Calder
PS the photo below Rachel took the day I met Devon in Santa Cruz.
I am super excited. Why? Well, maybe you should ask where Devon is right now? I am thrilled to answer. Devon and Mario are in Japan, making their debut at the Olympics.
I couldn’t be prouder of them both and their dedication to the sport they love. However, with that said, I am sad I can’t be there watching in person, jumping out of my seat cheering them on.
The good news is, I am hosting a private watch party with our friends at my bar. Yes, masks are required, and also everyone in attendance is fully vaccinated. Devon set up the rules for the watch party. And we all agreed and respect his knowledge of the virus.
Devon contemplated not competing in the Olympics. The postponement of the games in 2020 and the need for all medical personal to be available and on-call had him conflicted. Why? Because the daily volleyball practices were practically non-existent as he worked twelve-hour shifts at the hospital taking care of the sick. Without the daily training, he felt they’d lose their momentum. At least, that is what he shared with me. Devon felt horrible because Mario depended on him, but he could not change the fact he had to put his job first. He didn’t want to let anyone down; yet, he had no choice but to do what his job required of him. Therefore, he reluctantly agreed when his boss and the entire hospital administrators insisted he go and represent the USA.
Currently, I am sitting at my bar in San Francisco writing this while I wait for my friends, Rachel, Brody, Zero, Chance, Sheila, Dempsey, Kara, my mom, and my dad, to join me. So everyone that could make it tonight will be here.
Okay, gotta go, they’re arriving. I’ll finish later…
I’m back. Let me fill you in on how the rest of the evening went. Once I mixed drinks for everyone, we settled in to watch the match on the big screen TV.
Devon told me before he left that he would pat his chest over his heart to show me I was there with him in spirit. And he did that before every serve. I shared with Rachel earlier what Devon planned. She smiled at me when she witnessed his heartfelt affection.
I will admit I shed tears of relief and joy when they won their first prelim match moving up in the series. I’m sure they heard us shouting in Tokyo. We were on our feet, cheering, hugging, and jumping around.
Brody pulled out his phone and began recording us in our celebratory dance. He immediately sent it to Devon and Mario. Them knowing we saw their win would keep them focused and in the zone.
This certainly is not how any athlete wants their Olympic experience to be. No spectators, no family, friends, or significant others supporting them in the stands. However, the competitors are dedicated to the sports they love, and they just roll with what is presented to them. NO virus would stop an athlete from fighting for the gold.
We partied into the night to celebrate the first win in the series. Then, I reviewed the schedule to let everyone know when we would meet again at Wet Spot for Flair. This was now officially dubbed watch party central. There was no way we weren’t all going to be together to witness the two men we love, bring home the gold.
Everyone left, and I cleaned up the bar before heading home to call Devon and congratulate him in our own intimate way.
Cheers from the Unrelenting crew,
Calder
PS the photo below Rachel took the day I met Devon in Santa Cruz.
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