Game Day

If you are not aware of Dan's obsession with BYU football, you can enlighten yourself by reading this old post.

This weekend we made the jaunt up to Dallas for the BYU vs. Oklahoma game at the brand new Dallas Cowboys arena. He has planned to attend this game since it was announced. We got a ticket for my dad for his birthday as well.


And in the van, as my body ached and the kids screamed, I told Dan that we would not be making this trip this particular weekend, except for the absolute necessity of him attending this game. And he was not disapointed.

The day of the game found him full of nervous excitement. I was happy for him but really didn't want to see him disappointed and deal with his sure to be sour mood for the next week, maybe two. And I must give him the credit. He is the only BYU fan that I talked to that not just hoped for a BYU victory but predicted it, expected it, and was sure of it. It shouldn't have been a surprise because he admittedly will never predict them to lose.

He had looked online many times to see the virtual view from the nosebleeds where they'd be sitting. They were in a great position for the 60 yard HD screen suspended from the ceiling.

He had a vivid dream the night before about getting to their seats. He dreamt that as they climbed higher and higher towards their seats, it started getting colder and colder. Soon it was snowing and finally they had to use ice picks to try to claw their way up.

He said it was a very long walk up but the ice picks were not necessary, thank goodness.

My mom and I were on kid duty at home. We caught the first few minutes of the game before we headed to the nearby Gaylord Texan resort to walk around. As we pulled into the parking garage Dan called me with the half time score report. Only down by three. He was really happy. And he was voiceless.

The game was on big screens at the resort so we got a 3rd quarter update. After strolling and looking, we headed home. As I pulled up to the house, my phone rang. I answered and immediately had to pull the phone away from my ear because of the loudness. I said, "Hello?"

And all I heard was, "WE! WOOOOOONNNNNNNNN! WE! WONNNNNNNNN! WE! WONNNNNNNNNN!" I have never in my life heard him react with such intensity. What I wouldn't give to have that call recorded. I don't know how he got that all out given that he literally had no voice.


Of course he was so excited and I couldn't wait to hear all about it when they got home. He gave us the run down, explained how it was the best sporting event of his life (which for him is a really big deal), etc.

But my absolute favorite part was my Dad's account of Dan. I have known since I met him that he is really fun to watch games with. His usual easy-going, quiet demeanor changes and he gets so excitable and crazy.

But my Dad's account had me wondering just who had taken over my husband's body. Apparently Dan's seat was on the aisle right next to the stairs. And apparently, Dan spent much of his time in the aisle screaming at fellow fans to get them excited, raising his arms to get them yelling, starting chants, and high fiving strangers all around.


That is so not Dan.

After all was said and done, Dan finally went to bed at 3:45 am. And the next day as the game was on constant reply and he watched our kids playing he concluded that our children are cuter, I am prettier, and everything is just plain better when the Cougars win.

He said he wished I could have been at the game. I wish I could have too, but honestly, I think the best part would have been watching him.