me three
Mom
should we add her to this group chat?
absolutely not
My cheeks pinch from smiling. I knew they’d be excited. And then there’s Teague, bringing up marriage when we’ve been dating for a few weeks. Sounds about right. Time might move differently when you’ve been friends for ten years, but it doesn’t go to marriage in a month.
I walk into the bar, looking at my watch—3:00 PM right on the dot. I’m meeting a potential contractor for my land in Michigan. When we stayedat the cabin, I kept thinking about how nice it would be to have family over for holidays. Or even being that close while able to stay at our own place.
That feels like years ahead, but building a home is a process and I don’t want to be waiting on that to finish if me and Blair are ready sooner than that. Or maybe it’s just me. I don’t know. We’ve not had the future talk—we’re very much operating in the now—but I’d do anything to keep her in my plans.
Now, this meeting was a complete surprise and something that happened in the last twelve hours. I hadn’t even had a chance to talk to Blair about it, but the contractor reached out to say he had an opening six months sooner than originally planned. I did try and text her but she had something come up with Embers and Ashes’ second location and was giving me the details. She needed me to listen–this could wait.
I check in with the host stand and they take me to a table where one of the best contractors, according to a few guys on the team who have built homes, is already seated. I know they’d never lead me astray, and for what I’m looking for, I’m confident it’s pretty tame compared to what some people want.
“Tyson. So good to meet you.” He stands and shakes my hand. “Glad we were able to connect on such short notice.”
Sitting, I reply, “Absolutely. Thanks for reaching out.”
“Okay, I know we’re on a bit of a time crunch, so tell me about the land and ultimately what you’re trying to do.”
Opening a folder, I pull out a few pieces of paper. “It’s a small town—Brindlewick, Michigan. I bought ten acres right behind our family cabin. I want to put the house an acre or two back. Here’s a map with the topography and lot lines.” I hand him a map and continue. “Not looking for anything super extravagant but something big enough. Two stories, not including a finished basement. Thinking three thousand square feet. Five bedrooms, enough bathrooms… you get it. In the back, I want an in-ground pool and hot tub. A small personal gym, but shouldn’t need a shed or anything like that.”
“Any thought to the visual style?”
“I like a farmhouse structure, or something similar, but don’t really want it to look like a farmhouse. Like, I don’t need the black and white color scheme. I want something different.”
He nods, nothing catching him off guard.
“Is there a partner who will be helping with these decisions, or is it just you?”
I smile, nodding along. “Umm, yes. Probably? We can include her from this meeting on, as long as she wants to, if that’s okay?”
He nods, grinning down at the table, like he gets it. “More than okay. This is great starting information.” He gestures to the folder. “When are you hoping to break ground?”
“As soon as we can. It’s not urgent; I’m still in New York for a bit, but I want it to be ready for me as soon as possible. Even if it’s not our full time address.”
“You got it,” he confirms. “I’ll work on these next steps and start putting together some floor plans for you to react to.”
And just like that, the land I bought years ago has a plan.
Thinking of the future, outside of football, makes me feel good. Prepared. Like, more of a person outside of the game I’ve been fixated on my whole life. It’s always been football—the team you’re on, the contract you’ve signed, and where you could end up. While I’m definitely lucky to have only played for two teams during my entire career, I’ve never been the one calling the shots—where I landed was always in the hands of someone else.
It feels good to think about taking control. How much physical turmoil I put my body through. When is the last time I’ll step on a field as a player? Not sure when that will be because I honestly don’t have a date in my mind,but I like the idea of thinking about it early. No matter what, that day will hurt, and having my own place and part of a plan will lessen the pain. Or, at least I hope so.
Excitement for sharing this secret with Blair cuts in and I know I’m grinning like an idiot. My phone buzzes.
Teague
how did it go
did you discuss putting in a pool that can be used all year round?
Me
No lol
