Reading so many messages from so many people has reminded us that the community we believed we joined is still very much here. I want to emphasize that the last post wasn’t intended to make people angry or start arguments. It was simply meant to encourage reflection. Maybe we can reconsider booing players, cheering when someone prizes key cards, dead draw, or celebrating a penalty that affects the outcome of a game. Behind every player is a story we may never see. There may be a mother in that same crowd, sitting with her heart in her throat, praying their child can simply enjoy the experience and have a good match. A mother who watched their child practice for hours the night before, staying up late and losing almost every practice game. A mother who noticed the barely touched bubble tea their child had been looking forward to all day because nerves had taken over. A mother who watched their child go to bed feeling defeated the night before the event. (First time seeing her this way) Instead, let’s cheer for great games. Let’s celebrate the players who worked hard to earn their place there. I understand that booing and cheering are common in many competitive environments, but perhaps Pokémon can be different. I chose not to share the details of what I witnessed with Annabelle because Pokémon events are one of her happy places and I want to keep them that way. She proudly wears Pokémon clothing and carries her Pokémon backpack to middle school every day, supported by her friends and peers. Pokémon has been something truly special for our family. My hope is that when we eventually close this chapter of our lives, it remains a place where some of our very best memories were made. Let’s take a moment to celebrate our 2026 NAIC Junior Champion, Luke G! Great plays and smart disruptions. Now it’s time for our family to head home, celebrate with some bubble tea and a little Nee Doh hunting. Shoutout to @CerysJonesTCG and @Bas_Lashmet. They tested with her tirelessly the night before. Not because they were compensated for coaching, but because they believed in her. 💜