My Collecting Journey: The Early Years

This is the first part of a 3-part blog series discussing my collecting journey. It will be broken down into the following:

1. The Early Years (0-12)

2. Teens (14-19)

3. Adult (19-Present)

First Exposure

Alright, let's rewind the clock and go back in time to 1999. Because It was so long ago, the memories are slightly foggy but I do remember key moments that I'd like to share. It was 1999 and I was in Kindergarten. I was a shy kid growing up and didn't have a ton of friends. But I did have one friend... Cameron. He was short, blonde, wore glasses, and had a loud laugh (see photo below). I felt comfortable around him and I think he felt the same way around me. We'd eat lunch together and always play tetherball at recess. We'd also spend lots of time at each other’s houses. Cameron always had the latest and greatest toys.

One day I remember we were in his living room playing Diddy Kong Racing on the N64. We finished playing, and we went upstairs to his room. He got out his special edition yellow Gameboy. I didn’t know it at the time but he was playing Pokémon Blue. His older brother had a Red Cartridge and they would trade monsters across a cable! (In my 6 year old mind, I actually thought there were monsters traveling through the rubber cord). It blew my mind. I HAD to have it.

A few weeks later as my interest in Pokémon bordered obsession, Cameron came over to my house. He brought his Gameboy over and we had a good time. We played basketball, ate some top ramen, etc. I don’t remember all the details but I believe Cameron went to the bathroom and left his Gameboy on the couch. When the coast was clear, I got up, grabbed the Gameboy, went into my parents room, and stuffed it beneath some clothes in a basket. I went back out and acted like nothing sinister took place. When Cameron’s mom came over to pick him up, he couldn’t find his Gameboy. I did my best to be shocked and surprised (think Ralphie from Christmas Story), and we all joined in to track down the “lost”Gameboy. After 10 minutes or so, the search was hopeless and Cameron went home. Mission Accomplished! All I had to do was steal it. Finally, I could play Pokémon. A few minutes later my dad, sensing my hidden guilt looked at me, smiled, and asked where I put the Gameboy. I shrugged my shoulders, went to the basket, and retrieved it. Now came the most humiliating experience as a six year old. My mother drives me to Cameron’s house. I get out of the car, Gameboy behind my back, look up at the massive door, and ring the doorbell. Cameron’s mother answers and I said one rushed sentence: “I’m sorry I stole Cameron’s Gameboy.” They accepted my apology and I went back home.

That Christmas, my brother and I both got Pokemon. He got Silver Version, I got Gold. They came in those massive Costco blister packs and it was the best present I’ve ever received (yes, to this day!). No more stealing gameboys, I finally had one all for myself. I even found a picture of the very day.

I share this story because it illustrates just how powerful Pokémon was for us kids. The ability to train your own monsters and battle them?! It was mind-blowing for me.

First Exposure to Cards

That was my first exposure to Pokémon. As we played the video games religiously, my dad would take us to the local card shop on Saturday mornings. That card shop still stands to this day. Every time I walk through those doors, I get a whiff of that distinct cardboard smell… there is no better smell! (Lowe’s and Home Depot are a close second), but Pokémon Cards just hit different. There was always a sense of mystery in those card shops as a kid— “what if Charizard is in this pack?” etc. I think that’s why I’ve gravitated so much to sealed collecting as an adult. I guess it’s my way of capturing that memory in a bottle and keeping it with me.

Another fond memory I have with Pokémon Cards was with the Tooth Fairy 🦷. Whenever i’d lose a tooth, instead of my parents putting a few dollar bills under my pillow, they’d place a couple Pokémon booster packs instead. I remember a few times waking up and not seeing anything under my pillow. My dad then asked me if I checked under the bed— perhaps I pushed it off in my sleep. I’d run back to my room, get on my knees and BAM, I’d see that Grey Fossil Booster pack on the ground. Those are some pretty vivid memories.