I really have no clue why I'm answering this, but what the hell, right? I've always tried to live my life and be as transparent as possible so there are never any questions raised about my integrity or that of my family. A kind parent of Gabe's HS team (who manages the account) thought it would be nice to raise the amount to see if we could get enough raised for my wife to be able to go as well. For eight years she has always stayed at home when Gabe and I traveled abroad or out of the state because travel is expensive, and my pride doesn't allow he to look for support. My kid. My cost, right? Oddly, one of my HS teammates chastised me about this because he felt that it wasn't fair that he wasn't invited to be a part of Gabe's journey by supporting anyway he could. And since he is financially well off, he felt the best way he could help was by sharing the resources he has, and so he did. Because of the kindness of others, for the first time my wife will be making this incredible journey with us. To say she is excited is an understatement. When I told her she was going with, she actually cried, (and my wife isn't usually emotional like that, especially about wrestling stuff). I've stayed away from commenting in this forum for awhile because I've realized it's hard to be a part of a community when you are so deeply tied to the same. But when it comes to those things that directly are tied to my family, on a personal side, it's hard not to. Our family has developed a policy to not really comment on boards about family. We decided to do this when J'den beat Dake for his Olympic spot, then Taylor for his World team spot. We continued that policy when so many keyboard warriors blasted Gabe's decision to be a Hawkeye, then again when he was "washed up" after his junior year.
So yeah, I think that's it in a nutshell. I know, I know it's really not that glorious of a response, but hey, it's the truth. In two weeks my ENTIRE family will make our first trip TOGETHER with my son's high school coach to watch him compete internationally. We are so damn blessed to have so many people who believe in him and love him the way they do. There will always be those that don't, and question our actions and decisions. That's ok. I promise there is not a decision that is made that isn't thought through and prayed about. That's what my daddy expected out of me, an quite honestly, he's the only one I'm ever worried about pleasing. . . . #goHawks #itsjustwrestling