When my grandfather, Edwin “Papa” Stover Jr., passed away in 2002 I was able to put a small memento in his urn. I found a golfball with the Red Sox logo on it and I knew that would be perfect. When I was a very little girl, I would go for weekends to my grandparents’ house in Bangor (I lived just across the bridge in Brewer). I have very special memories of picking raspberries in his garden and going inside to watch the Red Sox games. He was a true fan and I loved being around him. My love of sports began because I loved my grandfather.

I felt lucky to have this incredible connection with my Papa through baseball. It is something I will remember and cherish forever. He would come to my Lassie League Softball games and was one of my biggest cheerleaders. I remember during the 1986 World Series we said, “This is it! The curse might be broken!” I also remember where I was when the ball went through Bill Buckner’s legs and needing to talk to him about it.

During college summers, I lived with my Papa. It was the early 1990’s and there wasn’t much to be happy about where the Red Sox were concerned, but we still watched together. When the Sox would have a particularly bad game, in frustration, we would shut the television off. I would go up to my room and he would tinker in the garage, but he would always turn the radio on and I would turn my tv on just in case something happened. I learned my appreciation for listening to the Sox on the radio from my Papa. When the Sox won the World Series in 2004, he was the first person I thought of.

Baseball isn’t the only sport I love; I actually enjoy them all. In 1998, I met my husband Dan, and interestingly enough, he is not a sports person. Watching all of the New England Sports teams can be a challenge so I tend to pick and choose. Right after we met I remember him asking (half jokingly), “Why do you like the Patriots? They always lose.” I responded, “Because I’m faithful.”

What means the most to me is each and every memory of watching games with good friends and family over the years. As season ticket holders for the Patriots since 2012, we’ve had many opportunities to attend games. My youngest Jacob, like my husband, does not love sports. My oldest, Seth, does and would emerge as my “sports buddy” throughout the years. Suddenly, I wasn’t just his mom, nagging him about his homework or whether he’d taken a shower, we shared an interest and have both learned from each other when it comes to sports. Today he is a college sophomore and we talk every day, with many of our conversations revolving around what’s happening in our sports world.

When attending the Pats games, Seth and I each bring a friend. My extra seat goes to Mike “Grizz” Tanguay, who I refer to as my “sports husband.” We met in college and he married my best friend, Lori. Our spouses like that we both have the same interests and can share our experiences. Seth’s pick is usually his friend Travis Emerson, who appreciates the game as much as he does. Not only do we attend games together, we have a group text so we can talk about the latest news and our thoughts on it. On game days, our phones blow up as we comment on significant plays and share excitement as only New England sports fans can.

It’s not only in watching professional sports where relationships develop. When Seth entered kindergarten, I remember having no idea what I was doing. Our first child was officially off to school and I was overwhelmed. I wondered how he would make friends. Not only that, how would I make friends? I signed him up for soccer through the Gorham Recreation Department.

Walking across the field that first sunny Saturday morning to his “Red Team,” one of the coaches walked up to shake my hand and said, “I’m Dave Eid.” I laughed and stated, “I know who you are! You’re the only reason I watch the news!”

I would go on to have quite a few memories with Dave including one during the American League Championship Series (ALCS) in 2004 when a conflict between a Red Sox game and Gorham Rec’s annual “soccer under the lights” resulted in my bringing a little transistor radio so I could listen and share the latest with other parents.

My fears subsided as we went through that first youth soccer season. Each Saturday we stood on the sidelines with parents in our same situation, watching the blob of red and (insert color here) shirts follow the soccer ball around the field. We all formed friendships that would last. What began with our children starting their journey, turned into book clubs, mom’s nights out, and sometimes catching a Sea Dogs or Red Sox game all together.

While some might see me as “just” a sports fan, I hope this will give pause. When you really look you will notice it’s not just about that, it’s something deeper. It’s a flood of memories with family and friends who have influenced me. It’s about making new memories and meeting new friends. Being a sports fan is really just about our relationships.

Editor’s Note: Dave Eid, long-time Gorham resident and local sportscaster, recently announced he is taking a leave of absence from WGME/FOX due to open heart surgery. The Gorham Times wishes him well.