It's that time of year again!

So I know I said that I would provide tips about Disney World today, but I kind of feel like Disney needs a break. We need to address a very important topic that is coming to light this week.  Something that I know is on everyone's mind.  No, not Miley falling down the rabbit hole (but seriously, gross).  I am talking about college football.

I live in the south where football is HUGE.  If you have grown up in the south, you are likely a generation fan, meaning you are a fan of the team that your parents and grandparents (and great grandparents) rooted for. This passion for your team will carry on with your children and their children too.  (In my case, it is a little more difficult because I married the enemy an LSU fan but I digress.)  

Waking up on game day, I have butterflies in my stomach and a smile on my face.  If it is a good game (and by that I mean a WIN), that elation will continue into my dreams that night.  If the outcome isn't so wonderful then my mood can't be lifted by much.  If my team loses to my husband's team then SOMEONE is sleeping on the couch.  Ok, not really but not for lack of trying.

You see, I am an Alabama fan.  My family, for generations past, are Alabama fans.  It is my alma mater and I couldn't be more proud of our boys.  I was attending school there when we weren't doing so hot (1999-2004) and I was still at every game.

And while we are on this subject, please for the love of the game of football, don't leave the stadium if your team isn't winning.  What do you think it says to those kids on the field playing their hearts out?! Stay and support your team no matter how the game - or the season - is going. Be a true fan, not a fair-weathered one. 

*Drops mic.  Steps off soap box.*

Anyway, my husband is an LSU fan, so football season is exciting at our house.  We aren't the trash-talk fans.  I am fully aware that every team goes through seasons of highs and - at some point - will have seasons of lows so I don't like to put my foot in my mouth just to be slapped down to size the next game.  It is all in fun around these parts.  We support each other and our teams, until that fateful day every November when we play each other.  Then it is separate couches and one confused kid (wearing neutral white colors) for about four hours.  Fun times.

Last year, I received two tickets to the Alabama vs. Western Carolina game for my birthday.  Normally if I am attending an event of any sort I will want to take my husband, but that LSU-loving son of a, I really wanted to go with my dad to this event.  (Back story: During EVERY Alabama game my Dad and I exchange texts throughout the game and phone calls before, during half-time, and at the end of the game to talk about it so he was the perfect person to take.) I begged and pleaded until he finally agreed (ha ha), and off we went to Bryant-Denny Stadium.  We were both so excited and pumped that we could barely contain ourselves.

I hadn't been back to the campus since I graduated in 2004, so seeing the Million Dollar Band marching down the street to the stadium made me tear up (yeah, I'll admit it) and brought back so many wonderful memories of being a student there.  The energy on that campus is palpable.  It is impossible not to feel overwhelmed even before you set foot in the stadium.

But we get in the stadium, and after finally finding our seats (practically on the field - they were amazing), we were immersed in the love of the game and the excitement of the atmosphere.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I took this photo to prove to Canon that even Santa Clause is a Bama fan.  Craig was not amused. 

 

Caterpillar representin' 

I'd like to point out how I centered the stadium in this photo and made sure no one else was in the frame.  You're welcome, Dad. 

He so didn't do that for me, so thanks Dad. 

The game was amazing, not because we beat the h-e-double hockey sticks off of them (sorry, WCU), but because being there - in the middle of the excitement - with my Dad was the best.  We took our time getting out of the stadium and walked the gorgeous campus for a while to allow the traffic to die down a bit.

All in all, it was an amazing day and I am so thankful that my husband happily and quickly gave up the tickets managed to put his feelings aside for me and allowed me take my dad to the game.  Such a thoughtful and understanding man.  

So who's ready for some college football?!

P.S. I am, obviously, a huge Alabama fan, but all fans are welcome here.  No trash talk please. Just remember, every team has their day.