April 9, 2015, I woke up to an email that started like this:
Congratulations! You have been matched in I Run 4!
Holy Cow! I was soooo excited!!! After an 8 month wait, I was finally going to get a buddy through the IRun4 Michael program!
https://www.whoirun4.com/
Then the panic set in. What if they didn’t like me? What if I was too silly (I do enjoy sharing jokes~lots of jokes~on social media). What if I wasn’t a good enough runner? What if I was too old! What if….what if….what if….
Then my buddy’s mom emailed me my first pic of my new buddy, Aiden, and it was love at first sight. I instantly loved this little boy with all my heart and knew immediately my running was going to change. It was all going to be for him because he deserves my absolute best.
Look at this sweetie! How can you help but love him!?!
Back when we were matched, April 9, 2015, Aiden was 3.5 years old. He was the cutest little guy ever! *He still IS!*
Here we are, heading towards celebrating our 3 year Matchaversary next Monday! Seems impossible that we’ve been buddies three whole years. The time has flown yet so much has happened!
I’ve learned in these 3 years that my buddy is a fighter. He has fought some serious battles to live. He is determined! He is tenacious! He wants to live!
He’s had some serious medical issues during these years and has conquered them all!
BOOM!!!
He has fun!
He loves to swing!!! That’s practically at the tippy top of his list of favorite things to do.
He loves to swim! He can kick his legs and enjoy that water like nobody I’ve ever seen enjoy the pool~plus, he looks pretty spiffy doing it!
He dresses up for Halloween. He’s been a penguin and this one year, he was a doctor. “Paging Dr. Smith!”
He loves to go to the fair and see the animals.
He loves baseball and the past two summers has played for the BlueJays! His very first game, he hit a grand slam. BOOM!!! Way to play, Aiden!
He was the 2017 MVP for the Miracle League of Michigan!
He loves riding the mechanical horse and airplane at the store. Those things are fun! I don’t blame him.
He has a smile that lights up any room.
He’s started school. Hard to believe my buddy’s in school already!!! He’s growing up so fast!
He’s a HUGE Michigan fan! I’ve learned to cheer, #GoBlue and he’s learned to cheer, #HailState.
Now he’s a big boy~7 years old this fall!
We met in June, 2016. We’re going to be meeting again next month~May 2018.
Here’s our pic from 2016. I can’t wait to see how much he’s grown!
Love you tons, Aiden!!! You are the best~est buddy ever. I’ve told you that at least a zillion times but I want to make sure you don’t forget. Can’t wait to see you in a few weeks!
Happy Matchaversary!!!
Love, Mel
#IRun4Aiden
