Jonathan Was Fighting for His Life While the Roof Came Off Tropicana Field
Jonathan was fighting for his life while the roof came off Tropicana Field — and we had no idea until we were already sitting in that rebuilt stadium, watching him clap for every home run. What we thought was just a really fun day at a baseball game turned into one of the most full circle moments our family has ever experienced. This is the whole story.
We were invited to Opening Day at Tropicana Field — the Chicago Cubs vs. the Tampa Bay Rays — and not just any seats. We were in a suite. Tables, food, chairs, and then a couple of rows of stadium seats looking out over that beautiful ball field. My husband Jason is a diehard Cubs fan, and watching Jonathan experience a game like that, with all the space and comfort and ice water he could want — it was already something special before we even understood what day it actually was.
But here’s the part that took our breath away.
About a year and a half ago, our son Jonathan was at Johns Hopkins Hospital recovering from one of the most major surgeries of his life. Jonathan was born without a connected esophagus, and over the years we’ve had multiple surgeries to try to repair and reconnect things. A couple of years ago, we found out it had completely closed over again — scar tissue and reflux damage had done what we feared most. He was in a dire situation.
Through our wonderful doctors, we were connected with a team at Johns Hopkins — Dr. Smithers had brought this team together, originally from Boston, and they do these massive surgeries where they bring up part of the intestine and connect it to what remains of the esophagus. They cut Jonathan from his collarbone all the way down past his belly button. They cracked him open and redid everything. It was 28 days in the hospital. Twenty-eight days.
And while Jonathan was in that hospital bed fighting to breathe and recover, Hurricane Helene hit. The hospital went on lockdown. Jason stayed at the hospital with Jon. I stayed home with our other children. We were forced apart. And then, just days later, Hurricane Milton happened. At the exact same moment that the roof was being ripped off of Tropicana Field — while that storm was tearing apart the stadium just a few feet away — our Jonathan was next door at Johns Hopkins, fighting his own battle.
We didn’t know that when we walked into Tropicana Field. We didn’t realize that this wasn’t just the opening day of the 2026 baseball season. This was the first opening day for Tropicana Field since Hurricane Milton destroyed it. We went to that game thinking it was just going to be a really fun day — and it turned into something we will never, ever forget.
561 days after the hurricane tore the roof off that stadium, the Rays were back home. And so was Jonathan — healthy, happy, and giving a thumbs up at every home run.
Sitting in that stadium hit differently once we understood what day it was. The field was celebrating a year of rebuilding, recovering, and coming back. And so were we. Jonathan was there with his Buddy Baseball friends and coaches, clapping for every single home run, smiling from ear to ear. The Rays won. And we all rejoiced. Even Jason — sort of.
If you want to know more about Jonathan’s story — how he came to our family, the adoption, and who this incredible young man is — you can read Jon’s full adoption story here. God has always watched over him. This day was just one more reminder of that.
More Jonathan Moments You’ll Want to See
If this story moved you, here are a few more moments from Jonathan’s life that our family holds close:
- Jon’s Adoption Story — Down Syndrome, Big Surgery, and the Baby Who Changed Everything — This is where it all began. The day we said yes to Jonathan, and everything that came after.
- Jonathan Ends the Buddy Baseball Season With a Home Run — Jon playing the sport he loves, finishing the season the only way he knows how — going big.
- This Was NOT Your Average Day at Tropicana Field — The Short version of this story. Watch it and then watch the long-form video above — the full circle hits even harder.
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Jonathan Tropicana Field — About Stephanie Longstreth
Stephanie Longstreth is the home cook, mom, and storyteller behind StephanieCooksForACrowd.com. She cooks for a family of seven in Florida — five kids, two cats, and one husband who appreciates a good meal. Four of her children came home through adoption, and family stories are woven into everything she makes and shares. Find her crowd-friendly recipes, sourdough journey, and real family life on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest @stephaniecooksforacrowd.
