Today, he drove to Tempe, to the Angels Tempe Diablo Stadium to report.

Received equipment, signed up for his new insurance program (yeah!), had a physical and a workout. Then checked into hotel until tomorrow’s departure to Orem.

Making my rounds at Friday garage sales, the first text of the morning included a picture of his batting helmet and locker. I didn’t cry when he left two hours earlier, but when I saw that helmet, I had a mom moment (tears).

Then, the fans. Dillon’s niece, Tessa, was on her first-ever trip to Disneyland when her family learned Dillon had signed. Always his #1 fan, Tessa and her mom and dad took a quick spin down E. Katella Ave. over to Angel Stadium of Anaheim for merchandise and photo ops.

Best part of the day was the phone call in which my son-of-few-words told me what he did today as he waited for the shuttle back to his hotel. In his voice I heard fatigue, excitement and anxiety (the stuff a mom is always tuned into).

All normal emotions at the end of a guy’s first day on the job.