Such a Great Day!

Yesterday was one of the top days of my life.

Many years ago, my Uncle Lynn brought be to my first UT game. Andy Kelly was QB and we played Vandy. We beat them. From the minute we got out of the car, I was in love. I had liked TN Football as much as a young gal could like football. Seeing the sea of orange was enough for me to fall head over heels in love with Knoxville and the University of TN.

I moved here in the fall of 1994. I got a great education and have had many fun times. I have slept on concrete to get tickets to watch the Volunteers play (yep...I am that old). I have worked games and gone to games. I have seen us play well and I have been very sad on many Saturdays. I watched the goal post run down Cumberland Avenue after beating Florida the year we won the national championship.

I met Jason in Knoxville and we've spent many Saturdays running long then tailgating. We spent several years tailgating with some special friends and yesterday when we played Rocky Top on the way to the game, I shed a few tears remembering one of those friends that passed away in May.

Since Jackson was born, I dreamed of the day he would go to his first game. I hoped and hoped he would have fun and love UT as much as I do.

His first game was yesterday. When the "T" opened up and he was yelling with everyone else and shaking the pom pom, I cried.

Even though I am not originally from here, I grew up in Knoxville. I became an adult here. I learned to juggle school, work, and life which prepared me to juggle husband, kids, work, and life. I met my husband here and have had two beautiful boys here. I am proud of this city, the University, and I try every day to give back in some way to our community.

I am happy here and when I think about it, it all goes back to UT Football and that trip with my Uncle Lynn. It may sound silly but it is the truth.

So, here's to many more football games with Jackson and the day that we take Karson to his first game. Go Vols!