This post was supposed to be about something else. Instead, it’s about Wade Redden.

Last night, I went for a really long walk.  It was Rest Day on the TurboFire schedule, and that lined up nicely with one of the first really beautiful days we’ve been hit with this spring.  As much as I’m still enjoying TurboFire, it felt great to be outside, in the warm fresh air, walking around my little town for a change.

I walked pretty fast, I think.  And many times, it crossed my mind that I should try jogging.  One of my long-term fitness goals when I started this program was to be able to run a 5k.  I’ve been threatening to start running for weeks now – even downloaded the Couch to 5k app on my phone - but due to the intense cardio phase that I’m in with TurboFire right now, I keep putting it off.

I also confess that I’m still a little worried people will look outside and point and laugh at the elephant they see clomping by.  (Yes, I’m still working on my self-esteem issues.)

Physically, I feel like I’m ready to try.  Mentally… I just couldn’t get myself psyched up for it.  The running still intimidates me.  There’s still that “I can’t do it” mental block holding me up.

And as I wound down the walk, after an hour of almost jogging, I thought to myself, “This is what I’m going to write about tomorrow.”

And then I went inside, saw the light flashing on my phone indicating there was a message, picked it up and listened to my mom’s voicemail:

“I don’t know if you’re watching the hockey game right now, but if you’re not, you better change to it… Wade Redden just scored his SECOND goal of the game…”

And with that, my almost-jogging post flew right out the frigging window.

OK.  So Wade didn’t actually score two goals.  On the second one, it was determined that Nathan Horton tipped it in, so Wade got the assist on that.

But it was a big night for me.  You couldn’t have wiped the massive grin off my face if you tried.  You probably still can’t.

Do you know how few and far between the good days of being a Wade Redden fan have been over the past few years?  They have been FEW.  And FAR BETWEEN.  Seriously, yo.

So on the night when the Boston Bruins take on my biggest nemesis, the Toronto Maple Leafs, in their first playoff appearance in nine years, and then Wade Redden LEADS THE CHARGE in trouncing them, earning him a goal, an assist, first star of the game honours, and a 4-1 victory for the Bruins?

You have to give me permission to gloat.  Just a little.  It’s only fair.

I mean, it’s Wade Redden.  Beating the Leafs.  Pretty much SINGLE-HANDEDLY.

It was like a gift, just for me.  From GOD.

I’ll always be a proud fan of Redden, no matter how much people tease and mock me for it. 

And some days, it really feels worth it.

Yesterday was one of them.

It also pleased me this week to hear that following the Sens’ final game of the season vs. the Bruins last Sunday, that Wade’s former Ottawa teammates Daniel Alfredsson, Chris Phillips, Chris Neil, and Chris Kelly presented him with a painting in honour of him playing in his 1000th game earlier this season, when he was still with the St. Louis Blues.  (Alfie tweeted that it was from #11, #4, #25, #22, #12 and #19, so I believe that means Mike Fisher and Jason Spezza were in on the gift, too.)

I thought it was such a classy gesture by the guys, and a true testament to Wade’s character and how much he was valued by them as a teammate and a friend.

I’m soaking it up, guys.  As a Wade fan, I never know when I might get to feel like this again, so I’m not letting this moment go!!!

In other news… My team takes to the ice for the first time this playoffs tonight, against the Montreal Canadiens.  It’s the first time in modern history that we’ve met up with the Habs in the post-season, and I’m pumped.

I woke up with the playoff butterflies this morning.  I can’t wait for tonight.

GO SENS GO!!!

And once again… Congrats to Wade Redden.  He’ll always be my #1!!!