This tale starts in May 2005 when two Dads, Gordie and Kevin, welcomed their first sons into the world.  These two Dads did not know each other and would never meet…on Earth.

In 2011 the two little boys started their Little League careers playing on two different tee-ball teams.  The two Dads never met but without a doubt passed each other on the field.  Here’s how that passing undoubtedly went.

“How are ya” Kevin would have said as he walked passed Gordie.

“How’s it going?” Gordie, would have replied.

While they most likely did not stop, both Dads would have been looking the other directly in the eye.

One year later, in March of 2012, Gordie died unexpectedly on the night before his son, Nathan’s, first baseball practice for the new season.  Gordie was supposed to be the Assistant Coach.

Not only did Gordie leave behind six year old Nathan, he also left behind his younger son, Wyatt, who was just two years old.

Two more seasons of Little League would come and go.

In the Fall of 2013, Nathan and Kevin’s son Jake were placed on the same Fall baseball team.  Kevin was the Assistant Coach.  Nathan’s Mom, Staci, was the Team Mom.  It was a short season and it was not until the end of season party that Staci and Kevin chatted for the first time.  Kevin mentioned that he was divorced.  Staci mentioned that she was widowed.  Kevin and Staci only talked for a few minutes and then went their separate ways.

In the Spring of 2014, Nathan and Jake ended up on the same baseball team again.  Once again Kevin was the Assistant Coach and Staci was the Team Mom.  By the end of the spring season, Kevin and Staci were dating.

And for the next four years, Kevin tried to fill the fatherless void in Nathan and Wyatt’s lives.

He taught Wyatt how to play baseball.  He taught Wyatt how to throw a spiral.  He took Nathan on the 5th grade overnight camping field trip where most of the other kids had a Dad with them.  He took Nathan out to throw pitches at a new field to make sure that Nathan was comfortable with the mound before a championship game.  He assembled countless toys and sports equipment for Nathan and Wyatt.  He taught Wyatt how to do a flip off his shoulders into the pool.

He cheered Nathan and Wyatt on from the sidelines during hundreds of baseball, soccer, and flag football games.  He cooked them steak on the BBQ.  He took both boys on wild jet ski rides.  He read to Wyatt at bedtime.  He took both boys cliff diving for their first time.  He played football and whiffle ball with them on the beach.  He planted lollipop seeds with Wyatt on Easter eve.

He helped Wyatt get on the chairlift.  He took Nathan on end of the day ski runs when everyone else headed to the lodge because it was so cold.  He helped coach Wyatt’s baseball teams…teams where he did not have a biological son.  He brought Wyatt back to bed and stayed with him when he was scared after a nightmare.  He talked with Nathan about things Nathan does not want to talk about with his Mom.  He let the boys do things they are not supposed to do when their Mom was not around.

Ultimately Kevin stepped up and gave Nathan and Wyatt a Dad here on Earth.

Wyatt use to say “I wish I knew what it feels like to have a Dad”.

Now he says “Kevin is kind of my Dad”.

Nathan, who keeps his emotions quiet, does not say anything.  But I can tell he feels the same way when I see him leaning against Kevin on the couch while they are watching a game.

It is my belief that Gordie is watching all of this from a perch in Heaven.  To be perfectly honest, I think he has mixed feelings.  On one hand, I think he is jealous of Kevin.  I think he wishes that he was the one cooking steak, playing sports, and going on field trips with the boys.  Nathan and Wyatt were Gordie’s greatest loves and his greatest accomplishment was being a Dad.

On the other hand, Gordie is beyond grateful.  We don’t know much about the circumstances of how Gordie died, but if he knew he was dying, I know for a fact that he died worrying about his sons growing up without a Dad.

For that reason, I believe that Gordie hand-picked Kevin and asked God to put Kevin in our path.  Kevin has the qualities that Gordie would have wanted in a substitute Dad for his boys:  kind, generous, a little wild, funny, a passion for sports, a guy who can fix things, and a bit of a rebellious side.

When I am running, I often think about Gordie and Kevin.  In another lifetime, I think they would have been good friends.  Sometimes on those runs it makes me sad that they never actually met.  But I know that they will meet one day…hopefully not for a good 50 years.  I can tell you what will happen at that first meeting.

When Kevin walks through Heaven’s pearly gates, his family members who preceded him will be lined up to welcome him.  At the back of the line, standing respectfully apart, will be a man with a goatee and wearing cargo shorts.  After all of Kevin’s family members have greeted Kevin, the man with the goatee will walk up to him.

He will stick out his hand and say “I’m Gordie”.

Kevin will smile, shake Gordie’s hand and say, “yeah, I know.  I’ve seen a picture or two of you”.

Gordie, a man of few words, will then say “Thank you for taking care of my sons” while looking Kevin directly in the eye.

Kevin, looking directly back at Gordie, will say “You are welcome.  I loved them like my own.”

Kevin will pause and then say “But your wife was really a handful.”

Gordie will laugh and say “You have no idea how much fun I had watching you try to handle her.  You did pretty well though.”

Gordie will then motion to a small white bench a few feet away where a woman wearing running shoes is sitting and watching them.

“The handful is over there.  She’s missed you.  Go catch up.  I’ll find you guys later.”

The two fathers will shake hands again and walk their separate ways…for now.