I’ve always been a person that anticipates signs in the universe. Whether it is a funny shaped cloud, a number, or an unexpected call from a friend, there is something amazing about the nature of signs. That being said, within the journey to Fenway Park to sing the National Anthem, I needed and received many all at once. I won’t try and cover up the fact that I was beyond nervous to sing the Star Spangled Banner in the most marvelous setting. As I drove down 93 South into town, I began to feel myself tear up with emotions and I desperately needed something to calm me down. As I hoped and prayed, I noticed three cars in front of me with the number 28. Then I passed an exit for Route 28, and my mother commented that I had 28% battery life on my phone. For those of you who may be unaware, my grandfather, Jim Leavitt, played baseball at Woburn High School with the number 28 on his jersey. The fact that the number of his jersey appeared to be all over, along with his participation in baseball as I was on my way to entertain a crowd of fans before a professional baseball game, I knew that Jimbo would be with me during my rendition of the National Anthem.
As I arrived at Fenway and waited for my opportunity to perform in front of thousands of people, I began to get nervous again. Suddenly, a Red Sox ambassador asked me if my parents would like to also come onto the field to capture the moment — a huge relief. Everything was building up perfectly to my moment on the green. As I approached my spot behind home plate, I looked up to the sky, thanked God for this opportunity, said hi to my Papa Jim, and turned to face the stands. With the first line out of my mouth, “Oh say can you see, by the dawn’s early light” I knew that this would be the most extraordinary moment in my music career yet (of course with many more to come). Of course, this would not have been possible or nearly as breathtaking without the help of God, Papa Jim, my mom, my dad, my friends and boyfriend, and my brother Randy who called me to tell me that my Bogaerts jersey was a great outfit choice. Next stop, Gillette?