Around 9:12 Tuesday morning, Adam was selected in the 2nd round as the 72nd pick of the 2011 MLB First Year Players Draft by the Florida Marlins. And what a blessing. The clarity brought on that day was surreal. I’ll start with some God Facts:
1. The Marlins grace the field in the perfectly selected colors of teal, silver, white, and black. Those are our wedding colors. Chosen months ago.
2. Gabe Sandy is the Northwest Area Scout for the Marlins. He was Donnie Marbut’s (WSU’s head coach) roommate and best friend in college.
3. Gabe Sandy was also the only scout that held a conversation with me this season. He and I got the chance to talk as I filmed Adam pitching on Scout Day at WSU on February 4th. After the intersquad game, Adam and I decided to go out for our 7 month anniversary, this time to Wingers. When we walked into the restaurant, Gabe and the Marbut family had apparently found their appetite for wings too, and were enjoying dinner together already.
Bailey Brayton that day
4. On Monday, Adam invited friends over to watch the first round of the MLB draft, hoping that he might get picked up later in the supplemental round. He was wearing a teal v-neck that my mom got him for his birthday.
5. Prior to his selection, Adam and I had talked often of the potential opportunity for us to go somewhere “far away” in order to become fully conscious of our “own two (well four actually) feet.” We wanted a chance to become officially acquainted with Independence. Miami, FL, where the Marlins call home, is 3,089 miles from Pullman – the furthest possible MLB park from our alma mater.
With news of his selection, relief outweighed the initial excitement. Relief that had been anticipated for years in Adam’s experience, and months in mine. Relief that comes with the knowledge of knowing. Knowing something. Anything. On Monday, as the first round came to a close and his name remained unselected, the significant emotion that presided our reality was the frustration of not knowing. Of having a goal, a dream, a life that’s forced on pause for an unknown amount of time. Like a little kid that sits eagerly before the television, control in hand, ready to defeat the final boss in Mario. As he dodges the bullets with swift tenacity, armed with the life ending blow to the evil turtle’s existence, the child’s mother calls him for dinner. In that moment, apprehension sets in. He’s forced to wait. To pause time. To sit in wonder. “How long would dinner last?”
That night was a bit difficult, but the next morning brought clarity. Finally, some clarity. It was a beautiful memory, and the grin that shaped his face makes me smile every time I play back the video. It was 9 AM when the second round of the draft began. Tuesday. June 9th. 2011. The day his dream came true. I can’t speak for Adam, but I can speak on behalf of every American child who’s ever had a dream. A really, really, big dream. The kind of dream that remains only a dream. One that won’t ever become a reality. Tuesday, the dream that was once scoffed at by many, actually became Adam’s reality. As the three of us sat staring intently at a computer screen, awaiting the recognition of familiar words, “Adam Conley” was announced almost unnoticed. It was the Florida Marlins’ selection, and Adam hadn’t given them much consideration. Sure, he knew Gabe and talked with him a few times, but he didn’t feel as though the Marlins had their radar set on him. And I’m so thankful for his unawareness. When they announced his name, Larry, Adam, and I looked at each other with equal shock and disbelief. “Wait, what? You’re…Adam…That’s…YOU! You’re a Marlin!!!!!” He grabbed his dad and hugged him real hard. The sight of a father and a son, two best friends, each elated beyond words, was a special moment. It was the perfect beginning to the end of their work together. And I was happy to be there filming the memory.
The relief was instant. A load lifted. It was getting a little too heavy anyways. Immediately, Adam’s phone came to life. As he answered each call and responded to each text, the relief became a whirlwind of excitement. It was a busy day. A fun day. A peaceful day. But the day would have remained incomplete without the dawning of a fresh New Era. So, we went to Just Sports and bought ourselves two perfectly teal Marlins hats. I think I’m hooked. (Hahaha). That hat looks mighty fine on my little-round-7 ¼-Marlin head. It looks even better on his. And although there’s many obstacles still blocking the road to Florida, the potential is right in front of us. And even that is such a blessing.
If things go smoothly, and the business-end of the process moves swiftly and without kink, Adam and I could be well on our way across the country. To unknown territory. With so much more to learn. With so much more to love. With so much more to give. And we’re excited about the potential in that. We’re excited for broadened perspective, new challenges, diverse knowledge, and unfamiliar community. I guess warm summer weather wouldn’t hurt either!
In all of this, we feel especially blessed and fortunate that Adam’s talents and gifts are taking us to foreign experiences. We’ve had a year packed with an array of choices, tests, growth, and setbacks, but all the while, we’ve maintained our craving to learn more about this life and how to use what we’ve been given. Leading up to these recent changes, Adam and I have enjoyed the animation of a unique reality that the end of college offers: Engagement, PAC-10 Championships, Graduation, 21st birthdays, Senior Pictures, Engagement Pictures, Pre-Marital counseling, Last Games, Best Friends, New Friends, and Bike Rides. It’s been quite a year. And on Tuesday, we were afforded the taste of what could possibly come next. For that, we’re grateful, relieved, satisfied, motivated, and completely excited for a fresh start.
As for logistics, which many have inquired about, Adam and I have decided through much consideration, that the two of us, God willing, will walk off the plane together. Into whatever town, city, or state that he’s selected. We’ll find appropriate housing and enjoy the cultural change as a couple. While he’s out chasin’ the dream, I’m excited to find a new calling. I’d like to test my luck in flight school as a recreational pilot connoisseur. Something about flying through space is captivating to me. I’ve been in flight my entire life…why stop now? Maybe I’ll take up personal training. Maybe photography. Regardless, the two of us are just really excited for change. For new experience. For something different.
It seems, looking back, that our story was written before we ever got a chance to read it. Our Perfect Story. In all of this, I remain fascinated by God’s hand, his blessings, and his sense of humor. And for all the worry and frustration that has plagued me over the past few months, with apprehension of where and what was next, I can only shake my head. Because: He’s in control. Not me.
One more thing. God loves Blue Jays, Red Sox, Orioles, Rockies, and Astros too! Congratulations to Cougar baseball players Cody, Taylor, Derek, Matt, and Paris for your hard work and selection to unique and exciting decisions and experiences that lay ahead. It's been a joy watching you all these past couple of years, and you'll be dearly missed. Good luck boys. Make the Cougs proud(er)!
