Tonight, I surprised myself. I was at the Raptors game with the family and when Vince Carter entered the game, I found myself cheering. It was completely spontaneous. I was sincerely happy to see him again.
Less than two years ago I wrote this about Vince Carter. He quit on us, forcing Rob Babcock to make a terrible trade, and I was still pissed. There was no way I was going to forgive Vince for how he left this team.
![2016-02-21_06-26-36](https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1486/24553299383_cc2c016d22_b.jpg)
But there I was, with my 22-month old on my lap, flanked by my 14-year old and 11-year old, applauding Vince, and all that bitterness dissipated. I remembered the good times, and there were many. I remembered how he put this franchise on the map, the consistent flashes of brilliance and the complete and total Vinsanity that engulfed this city.
![2016-02-21_06-27-01](https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1487/25061877712_dd75454f7e_b.jpg)
It helps that I recently blew my kids' minds with YouTube videos of his best plays, and that he'll likely retire without a championship. It also helps that this team he abandoned is so damn good now, and to be honest, it helps that I'm older now, with new perspective on sport and life.
![2016-02-21_08-03-37](https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1461/24886042590_22c8523d19_b.jpg)
I've forgiven Vince, and it feels good.