This month’s edition of “Keeping the Flame Alive” was another successful event. I must admit, I wasn’t really looking forward to it. It felt a little awkward going to watch a high school football game when we don’t know anyone playing, and have no family that goes or has ever gone to this school. Here’s how the evening went down:
After dropping the kiddos off at the Y for Parents Night Out, we had an hour to kill before the game was set to start. We went to a park at the south end of Lake Robinson and thoroughly enjoyed the view and the peaceful tranquility of the moment. It was odd to see such a beautiful lake and not a boat on it. I’m glad we had this quietness, because the rest of the evening was going to be a bit more hectic.
We drove up to the high school what we thought was a little early before the game was to start. Wrong! Oh my word, people take their football so serious here. So many pickup trucks. And they park wherever they feel like it. Walking through the parking lot we could hear the drums telling us that we were late. Hubby says, “I don’t remember there being so much hoopla for football games, do you?” I gasped (thinking to myself, you were homeschooled) and said, “Ummm, we were Number 1 in the state! Yes, there was a lot of hoopla!” And thus began my night of reminiscing.
All the teenagers decked out in their school spirit, with their faces painted. The cheerleaders doing pyramids and running with flags. The marching band and color guard at half time. And of course the football players playing their hearts out. It was so heartwarming. I’ve not ever been one to get sentimental for my past. When it’s time to move on to the next stage of life, I don’t like to look back. Because of this, I don’t share many life stories with my husband. But last night I found myself talking about all these great memories I have of going to football games and then the “fifth quarter” parties our FCA would have afterwards.
Bottom line, this was a good date. We paid $6 a piece to get in and then bought snacks, so a grand total of $16. We cheered when they made a good play, and moaned when it didn’t work out. I look forward to going again, but probably not until my boys go there and we are driving them and their friends.
