The weather turned warm and I took out the bin of short-sleeved shirts and shorts. Caleb’s first choice was emphatically this shirt:
It’s cute, right? But it’s more than a cute shirt. It’s the shirt that Lauren gave him.
Caleb met Lauren this past December. She was one of the other two Simple Wins winners. Caleb completely loved meeting Nick Jonas, but the impact of meeting Lauren and Bradley was just as significant. They are also rock stars in Caleb’s eyes.
When Lauren, Bradley and Caleb were waiting to meet Nick, I saw that Lauren was holding three gift bags. Caleb had his Burning Up book for Nick to sign and a heartfelt note to give him. I saw three bags and thought three brothers – Nick, Joe and Kevin.
One of those bags was indeed for Nick, but the other two were not for Nick’s brothers, but for two other young men: Caleb and Bradley. In Caleb’s bag was a beautiful, thoughtful note, a DVD featuring former Chicago Cub and fellow T1D, Ron Santo, a package of Starburts (perfect for lows at 4 carbs a piece) and the red shirt. 
How amazing is Lauren? It’s no wonder that Caleb could be smitten with her. She is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. She touched Caleb.
Even though the total amount of time spent with Lauren and Bradley was only a handful of hours, Caleb sees them as his friends. They are the first people he has met in person and socialized with that live with T1D. He celebrated something great and fun with them. Diabetes brought them together for something GOOD.
I will remember meeting them and their moms as much as I will remember meeting Nick. I believe Caleb will too.
He picked Lauren’s shirt first and continues to throw it on his back as soon as it is out of the wash. It’s right up there with his NYY garb. Doesn’t that say it all?
This is Caleb... 