"The Random Dude in a Suit with the Face..."

Leonard Buzzer Beater Shot (Photograph by Rick Madonik / Toronto Star)

The random dude in a suit with the face is a part of my village. If you don’t know what the heck I am talking about, you may not be a big sports fan (it’s OK, we still like you…just a little less now than we did before though). You may be wondering if I've lost my mind or asking what the heck am I talking about? This is supposed to be a travel blog about me, a human bear and a stuffed bear surviving road trips...don't you worry avid followers, we will get to that but do give me a moment to explain:

The Random Dude in a Suit...starts here

https://twitter.com/stuff2tallsays/status/1128062069746601984

His name is Jordan Loyd and (it's unfortunate for you if you don't know him or his family) he is an NBA two-way player for the Raptors 905 and Toronto Raptors. As a humble and hard working young man, he takes the multiple references of "that dude" in stride while giving 100% to improve as a person and a player. His entire family motivates and inspires me. To be privileged to share this journey with them is exciting and to hear another "who is that dude" from Charles Barkley and some deserved recognition brings so much joy:

https://youtu.be/pKr8k0eqocU

Back to why I blog, The Bear Chronicles blog is my attempt to have something tangible my daughter can look back on to appreciate her childhood (while simultaneously hating me as a teenager…I’m no dummy, I know it’s coming!). I’ve been stalling on our last road trip to Atlanta blog for months but now the clock is ticking down as we leave for the next adventure in a couple of weeks.

After watching the hilarious smack talk about pics on towels, responses, and tweets by Raptors fans, Raptors haters and Jordan Loyd lately, what a better way to launch into our FAVORITE annual trip and share a story that gets me in my feelings (I've been seeing you Drake)?!

Bear with me (ha see what I did there?) for a moment and flashback to 2005 in Baton Rouge. I had the pleasure of teaching and coaching some of the best kids on the planet and you can’t convince me otherwise. Dai-Jon “All-Dai” Parker had the type of infectious personality that brought people together. From 2005 – 2015, I was welcomed onto my own 'team': a group of basketball loving families that would change my life and my family forever. There are always students you bond with more than others, and Dai-Jon was that person for so many. Following his basketball journey as a fan brought me to best friends I never saw coming as a 24 year-old brand new teacher in Louisiana. Back then, they were students and parents of my students but over the years: Deirdre, Dai-Jon, Andrea, Coach, Tayler, Jordan, and Eric became MY team. After the tragic loss of Dai-Jon in 2015, these people became more than a team…they are family for life no matter how hard they may try to escape me! #AllDai

Before we lost Dai-Jon, I (an insane rule follower most times) decided to take my 7 week old baby (judge if you must) to the SEC conference finals in New Orleans. I will never regret that absurd decision because it was the one and only time the human Bear would ever meet Dai-Jon in person. I can't tell the story of Jordan without Dai-Jon and I think this picture says it all. It will always amaze me that a young man, on a Vandy SEC Championship winning team less than hours prior to this, would take time to focus on my child...but this is the quality of character you get from a best friend of "the dude in the a suit".

Upon the first meeting, the kid STILL had the basketball net around his neck in celebration! 

I like to think he was giving her some good advice here.

After losing Dai-Jon, I was inspired by each teammate. Their resilience and motivation to become the best version of themselves, as a tribute to Dai-Jon, was inspiring. From the adults to the young men and women, everyone stepped up their game just a little which was hard seeing as they were already impeccable human beings!

You can't get to know "The Dude in the Suit" without giving credit to his initial team that helped shape us all and continues to impact so many others.

Dream Team

Roster:

Dai-Jon "All-Dai" Parker and Eric (The Dude in the Suit's BFFs)

These three goofballs were inseparable since before I met them in their middle school years! This picture pretty much sums up the energy you would feel when they were around you. Eric has the biggest heart and always pops in when something is going on!

Coach (The Dude in the Suit's Dad)

The Captain of the team. No one messes with Coach. He is one of the toughest people I know...until the human bear comes around and his discipline turns to mush (no fair, he never acts like that with us!). After traveling and working, he always makes time for more people in his space. There were fires and smoothies made and basketball watching OF COUSRE! I've never met a person he would not help.

Andrea (The Dude in the Suit's Mom)

 Of course I only have this picture of her and she's in the back. Why? Because she's that mom, always planning, coordinating, and making sure everyone else is provided for before taking care of herself. That often leaves her out of pictures while being one of the most appreciated people around! Everyone is welcomed into her home and she never complains while taking care of whoever may stop by for food or a place to crash. She is kind and gentle...unless you mess with her teammates. Just don't do it and you'll be fine.

Deirdre (Dai-Jon Parker's Mom and The Dude in the Suit's 2nd Mom)

One of my ride or die besties. She will tell you, "You can do things my way...or my OTHER way" and won't let you off the hook! She raised one of the most incredible people I'd ever been lucky enough to teach and get to know. If it weren't for the rest of our team, the two of us would stay in trouble: ALL-DAI

Tayler (The Dude in the Suit's Sister)

I have never heard this young woman complain about the hours and hours spent supporting her brother and his friends on their basketball journey. An amazing and brilliant athlete herself, it makes sense she is in nursing school. She is always willing to be there to take care of people!

About a week before heading to Atlanta, we found out the Raptors would be playing in Atlanta and Jordan would be pulled up for the game! Most families would probably cancel out of town company to accommodate this last minute information. NOT the Parker-Loyd group. Instead, they spent their time coordinating shirt orders, packing the seats with friends and family and celebrating each moment.

Reentering November 2018 (I told you the blog was really late), Ella and I hit the road to Atlanta for Thanksgiving as we have done many times.

We don't travel without adding in educational and thought provoking stops; so our first break from the drive was at Medgar Evers' house turned museum in Jackson, MS. Many heavy discussion were had as we discussed his story and assassination.

If you want to check it out: 2332 Margaret Walker Alexander Drive in Jackson, Mississippi

Stop number two to work out all of those feelings MUST include some healthy habits. Hiking it is! We made it to the highest point in Alabama at Cheaha State Park.

I promise this looks worse than it is...that was the point. Safety first!

Finally we make it to ATL.

Jordan Loyd arrives and the snapchat game gets started!  

The Four Seasons...cause they are fancy like that!

We got our seats!

And we are gonna dance about it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UTE3D-F1Dk&feature=youtu.be

This blog has gotten long and taken turns left and right but in trying to make this flow, I've realized why this 'team' of ours is so important. The stories can't be untangled and each person plays their role because it takes all of us giving all of our efforts to help improve the group which ultimately helps each of us individually. With that being said, I can't leave out Renay, it is a requirement the day after Thanksgiving to get woken up EARLY and complete an hour long workout...no excuses! Each year Renay kicks our butt while the human bear shows off.

No matter what happens with Jordan’s career in basketball, I believe he has already made it because THAT dude cares more about his loyalty to God, his family and his 'teammates' over any of his own notoriety. He has the heart and character of a champion and I am so thankful that my path in this world has lead me to the dude in the suit with the face and all the greatness that comes along with knowing him.

And what would one expect from a young guy getting all the new exciting experiences after playing in an NBA game in his hometown? Time for all of the people he cares about of course...seriously though, I watched him take pictures with so many friends and family that people had to come and get him so he wouldn't miss his flight. Congrats to all of the Toronto Raptors on making it to the NBA Finals. We will be screaming all the way from Baton Rouge to cheer you on.

Finally, it also has not escaped me that I am posting this within hours of the anniversary of the day we lost Dai-Jon. After navigating four years without one of our favorites, we all have an angel looking out for us now. I know your brother is smiling down on you and so proud. JORDAN LOYD, you my friend, are our MVP this season! I just want to say: thank you for allowing me on your team: Family.