I was always denied whenever I asked my younger family members if I could see their TGC collection. I was always told “NO” whenever I would ask someone if I could see what the game looks on their Gameboy.
So, it killed my curiosity.
The brand grew.
I grew up.
My family members gave away their collection. Sold their games. Got “over it.” I would always comment to people thought out my life that I feel like was “banned” from ever knowing about Pokemon. lol
I watched Detective Pikachu, and I actually REALLY liked it but felt that, at 39yo, that’s the closest I’ll ever get.
Fast forward to April 30, 2026. I walk into a local game / hobby store. I was looking for an old NES. The store owner says “You look like you might be interested in Pokemon.” I laughed and said “Oh no. It was never for me.” But I commented that I was “always interested in learning how to play, and collect for fun.”
I understand what’s going on in the hobby. How difficult it is to simply walk into a retail store and buy the product off the shelf. It was probably easier pre-2020 to do so? Idk?
I said “I think it’s too late. I’m 46 years old.” He said “My oldest customer is 82. You’re early into the game.” I smiled.
The store owner convinced me to buy a pack of… welp, I don’t remember. There were several options. I pulled a very cute looking fire puppy / fox hybrid thingy?? Vulpix. Idk. I loved the artwork on the cards. I would end up leaving with a cool looking binder thing to store my card. An employee there suggested I sleeve the cards, and store them inside the pockets of the binder. I left the store happy.
I got home and opened the rest of the packs. I sleeved them, and added them to the binder. I have begun MY collection. 30ish years late. But THESE are MINE.
You can see my cards if you’d like. 🙂
(Sorry for the long post.)
by RitchieViolence