I wrote this story down back in September. It’s the story that inspired me to start this blog. I kept repeating this incredible story over and over again to family and friends, and I felt like each time I left out an important detail, or somehow couldn’t really bring the story fully to life. So I wrote it all down. I shared it on my Facebook and I realized that I might have a way with words and story telling. I know most of you have probably heard it before, but here we go…
Our story begins over 3 years ago, when I entered my then 5-year-old son, Jackson, in a contest with Blind Barber, an upscale barbershop, that was getting ready to open their newest location in Philly. Our hometown Phillies hero, Bryce Harper, is a partner with the Blind Barber brand, who has many other locations, including Las Vegas and New York. In early December 2019, my husband noticed Blind Barber was posting on Instagram about a contest to win a haircut with Harper. The rules were to get a haircut at the brand-new barbershop opening in Philly, post your photo and hashtag #TheBryce. The favorite photo chosen wins a haircut and a meet & greet with Bryce Harper. I laughed when my husband showed me the contest and told him that The Bryce could never be the The Rachel! But our son loves, and I mean LOVES Bryce and the Phils, so we give it a shot. Santa Claus just so happened to make Jackson an appointment for the day after Christmas. So, December 26th, 2019, my husband and I took Jackson to get his haircut and buy the Bryce Harper hair gel, of course. I posted his picture on my Instagram, tagged @blindbarber and #TheBryce. We laughed about the crazy chance we would actually win and went about our lives. To my absolute shock, a few weeks later, in mid-January 2020 we were contacted by Blind Barber. Jackson’s photo had won the contest! Details were yet to be set, but the plan was to have Jackson meet Bryce Harper and receive a haircut with him as soon as the team returned from Spring Training 2020.
Well, I don’t have to tell anyone what happened next, but just for fun, I’ll remind you. COVID. Fucking COVID happened. The world shut down. Barbershops shut down. Baseball shut down. Understandably, we were told the meet with Bryce had to wait. So, we did. We waited and waited and waited. Blind Barber would check in every few months and assure me that everything was still in the works, and they would honor this meet. We never told our son about the contest for a few reasons. One, we wanted it to remain a surprise, and two, I can’t imagine having to keep explaining to a 5-year-old that yes, I think you’re going to meet your hero, but I can’t promise you when. To be honest, I didn’t even know if he would actually ever get this chance. As time went by, it seemed more and more unlikely.
When fans were finally allowed back in the Citizens Bank Park, Blind Barber gave us Diamond Club seats to many games and promised us that they were still talking to Bryce’s people to make it happen. The company really did try to keep up with their promise as best they could. Though we were frustrated, we understood that the chance to meet the one and only Bryce Harper, was a gift and certainly not owed to us.
Family and friends would ask every once in a while, if we had heard anything. I would often say to my husband, do you really think Jackson will ever get to meet him? Was I naïve? Was I entitled? Who knows. All I know is that I felt like I was so close to giving my son a chance to meet his baseball hero, but it kept slipping away.
Then on Friday, 9/21/23, almost out of the blue and three and a half years later, as the Phillies are 5 wins from clinching their spot in the 2023 Postseason, and it seems like this was really never going to happen for our son, I get the email. On Sunday 9/24, Fan Appreciation Day, Jackson is going to meet Bryce Harper. We were told where to meet and what time. Even with the rain pushing the game back 5 hours, Blind Barber kept in touch to let me know that our meet was still on. I couldn’t believe it. We only told my sister and my parents. I just couldn’t jinx it after all this time waiting. When Sunday finally arrived, Jackson, my daughter Kennedy, my sister Jamie and I got ready for the game. Jackson put on all his Harper gear, thinking we are just going to the game, while I’m secretly stuffing things for Bryce to autograph in my bag. I was so anxious and excited.
We arrive at the Media Gate Command Center and are greeted by Bob, the nicest man who helped me keep the secret going. Bob gives us our passes that actually say our names and “requested by Bryce Harper.” He brings us inside, where another amazingly nice gentleman, scans our tickets and calls up to the contact Blind Barber gave me. All the while, Phillies staff are coming in, waving to Jackson and commenting on all his gear. We stood there, so hopeful and excited. Jackson now thinks we are getting a tour of the ballpark before the game, but he remains very curious as to why his badge says he’s been requested by Bryce. To know my Jackson is to know his great big heart and and sweet naïveté. I could have never pulled this off with my daughter, Kennedy. But she’s a story for another day!
A few minutes go by, time is ticking closer to game time, and I’m called back over to the desk. There’s been a mix up. A group has already been brought down to batting practice to meet Bryce. We missed it. We’re not meeting him today. My heart sank to the floor. I’m crushed. So is the man who had to break the news to me. Now what? I turn to Jackson, who’s still standing there with a smile. How do I even tell him? I’m trying to hold back tears.
Through my disappointment, my Blind Barber contact is still texting me saying hold on, don’t leave the command center. Internal times were mixed up, but your son is still meeting Bryce Harper. We wait a few minutes more. Minutes that feel like forever. I’m now told someone named Mike is coming to get us. I’m feeling more hopeful, still trying not to let on too much to Jackson. All of a sudden, we see someone I assumed to be Mike, who walks over with a big smile and says “Ok, Let’s go to BP!” We hear actual cheers from the folks working behind the Command center window. They yell, “Mike, they’re good? Let’s goooo! That’s so awesome, have so much fun guys!” I think they were as disappointed and I was when we thought we might not get this chance, but they were rooting for us the whole time.
Mike brings us down to the Clubhouse… The Phillies Clubhouse, when Mike gets another call. There’s another problem. Bryce is on the weight table. It’s 4:56pm. Game starts at 6:05. Mike tells us to wait just 30 more minutes, up at our seats and he will be back for us. He whispers to me, “Bryce knows about this meet, and he’s committed.” You can imagine my skepticism at this point. But again, what can I do? So, we wait.
As promised, 35 minutes later, Mike returns, tells us he’s just waiting for the green light. My heart is pounding. Jackson is still totally unaware of what is about to happen. Mike answers his phone, gives me a nod, guides us through the CP Rankin Club and out onto the field level seats. At this point, even I’m not sure what is actually going to happen. We follow Mike down to the front row seats, to the left of the Phillies dugout. We can see Trea Turner! He’s waiting to address the crowd for Fan Appreciation Day. Rob Thompson is right there, serious as ever and making notes in his book. This is crazy! We’re so close to all this greatness and excitement. All of a sudden, Mike gets a nod from security on the field. BRYCE HARPER himself, steps up, out of the dugout and on to the field. Maybe it was my completely overwhelmed emotions at this point, but I SWEAR I heard the Angels above singing Alleluia. The aura that sounds this man is undeniable. The entire ballpark is cheering and yelling for Bryce. Mike lifts up the rope and tears fill my eyes as Bryce Harper waves for MY SON to come forward. We follow behind Jackson on to the field, surrounded by the ballpark, packed with screaming fans.
I have to be completely honest, the next few minutes are a total blur. Thank God my sister had her phone ready to capture these moments. Bryce FREAKING Harper is right here, chatting with my son, as if they are old friends. They are comparing shiny belts, beaded necklaces and the fact that Jackson also wears number 3! Bryce asks if we have a pen and begins to sign at least 5 pieces of memorabilia we had brought. He takes the time to flip through Jackson’s photo book from his Summer Tournament in Myrtle Beach. It’s as if the whole Ballpark, which is filled with tens of thousands of people, aren’t there. This megastar is taking his time, learning about my son and making him feel so special. He was so larger than life, yet so humble and down to earth at the same time. He lived up to all the hype around him, and then some. When Bryce says in interviews how much he loves playing in Philadelphia and how much his fans mean to him, he’s not lying or exaggerating. It’s not for good press, it’s genuine. I will preach about this for the rest of my life. About what a truly unbelievable talent Bryce Harper is, of course, but also how he’s true to his word. He recognizes how much his fans love him and that he truly appreciates us.
To put this all into perspective, there were only minutes left before the game starts and he’s taking all this time with us, with my 9-year-old son! My Jackson, who is literally BEAMING with joy and awe. We chat a few minutes, he signs all our stuff (and I had more than plenty!) and I thank him at least 50 times. Before we go, Jackson hands Bryce my husband’s Philadelphia Police Counter Terrorism patch. Officers share and trade patches as a sign of respect and Pete wanted Bryce to have it. My husband, Pete, was working at the 3rd base gate while all this was happening. He couldn’t leave his post, but we still wanted him to be a part of all this.
We only had a few minutes with Bryce, but it’s something we will remember forever. When I think back on this incredible opportunity, I still can’t quite believe it happened. I didn’t get a chance to tell Bryce everything I wanted to. I wanted to thank him for being so kind and present with Jackson. To thank him for showing my son what hard work and determination means. For showing him that it’s ok to fail, as long as you don’t stay down. I wanted to tell him that Jackson has been a fan since he was just 3 years old, and Bryce still played for the Nationals and we still have his size 3T jersey hanging in the closet. That he watched Bryce for the first time ever when he won the 2018 HomeRun Derby, as his father pitched to him. I wanted to tell Bryce that just this past Summer, Jackson played in his first HR Derby, with his own father pitching to him as he hit his first ball ever over the fence. I wanted him to know that the days leading up to the official announcement that Bryce was coming to the Phillies in 2019, were as exciting as the days waiting for Jackson’s little sister to be born. I wanted to tell Bryce that we all cried with him when he accepted his MVP award. I could have gone on forever about how much fun we had last year, watching him and the Phillies make it to the World Series. I wanted him to know that Jackson has copied every fashion choice that Bryce has ever made. We have Phanatic cleats (my sister made them!), Ice Cream sliding mitts, the spinning chain, the chrome belt, long haircuts, short haircuts, you name it! Jackson tries to emulate Bryce’s batting stance and always wants the same walk-up songs. Every inch of wall space in Jackson’s room shows Bryce Harper in one way or another.
You see, up until that day, Bryce was larger than life, he was untouchable. Yet somehow, our superstar player brought himself down to Earth and made it all so real. I’ll be forever grateful for that. He owed us nothing and gave my son everything. Time stood still the day we met Bryce. Jackson is a fan of Bryce Harper, the player. I am a fan of Bryce Harper, the man. I hope his mom knows what a great man she raised. As a mom and a wife, these are the things that are important to me. It’s important that we raise a good man and I’m so glad Jackson has Bryce, along with his own father, to look up to. Jackson and his Dad share a love of baseball and have been playing together since Jackson could stand on his own two feet. How blessed are they to have Bryce Harper be a small part of that? On each autograph Bryce signed, he also added Luke 1:37, which in the Bible reads, For with God, nothing shall be impossible. This experience has reminded me just how true that is.
I really want to thank Blind Barber and all of the amazing Phillies staff that helped make this incredible experience happen for us. I wish I could let Bryce know the impact he had on us and that we will never forget it. If our story ever makes it back to him and he still wanted to get that haircut with Jackson, we’ll be waiting! Our family will be Phillies Fans for life!
Call your mom, thank a cop, say your prayer and Go Phils. XO
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