A family man

Last night, I went to the Phillies vs. Braves game in Philadelphia with a friend. Great seats, beautiful weather. Almost-fight in the eighth inning. Good times.

Two rows ahead of us, and several seats to my left, was a man. He was wearing a suit. Nothing flashy, just a grey, two-button wool suit, point-collar, striped shirt and tie. I only noticed him when he went to get a hot dog. He was an older man. His seating location (we were in the 300s) told me he was not some investment banker or millionaire. Why the suit?

Then I noticed in the seat he just vacated: A handsome leather briefcase. And seated on either side of it were an older woman and a younger woman, probably in her mid-30s. This was a family man, fresh from the office in downtown Philadelphia, here to see a ball game with his wife and kid. I imagine it is the sort of thing his father would do: Have his wife meet her at the ballpark, and head in dressed for the commuter train. I imagine it is the sort of thing he has done with his daughter and wife for many years.

A stressful day at the office followed by a hot dog, a cold drink and baseball, with your family and crisp air.

It was a nice realization.