There's even a funny story my parents like to tell about when I was a baby & how my dad taught me to stick my tongue out & spit every time I heard the word "Auburn". I was apparently quite the rule follower and one Iron Bowl Saturday I was playing on the floor with my toys & spitting non-stop. My parents didn't understand why I was continually spitting until it clicked that the TV announcers kept saying "Auburn". They laughed and beamed with pride at their Baby Bama Fan.
Yes, I love The Tide.
But, my BFF growing up was an Auburn fan. Somehow our friendship lasted. I suppose it should have been a sign. I was learning how to live with and love an Auburn fan on an {almost} daily basis as a child so naturally I married an Auburn fan. To this day I live with and love an Auburn fan on a daily basis. Somehow we make it work.
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| Iron Bowl 2005 -- College freshman! {Taken with a disposable because there was no such thing as iPhones} |
I tried to sell the tickets. No luck. Then, I tried to give them away! I couldn't do it. Should've known, can't even give away Auburn tickets ;-) But, at the very last minute, my friend Bekah found someone who took them.
Well, our wonderful friends, Amy & Austin, offered to take us to the Auburn game this past weekend and offered for us to stay the night with them in their gameday condo. We took them up on it but not without hesitation.
We always have a fun time when we're with Amy & Austin and I knew AW would love to go to the Auburn game but should we spend the night? The game wasn't until 6:30. Did we just want to drive home after the game? Did we want to just take Anderson with us? We had never left him over night before.
I even texted Amy to ask if she would mind if we brought Little Man. Of course she was very gracious & said they would love it. But, we decided to leave him with his Nonnie & Papa for the 24 hours & see if we could handle it.
I laid Anderson down for his afternoon nap on Saturday & then AW & I headed down to The Plains. I was a little nervous in the car wondering if we should have just brought him but I knew he was in great hands and he would have lots of fun especially since Uncle Stephen was home for the weekend.
We arrived in Auburn, got settled in & headed out to walk around campus. It was so much fun! We ran into some friends, took some pictures around campus and grabbed a quick bite to eat before heading into the stadium.
While I think orange is a hideous color and paired with blue isn't exactly flattering I was enjoying the company. It was fun just being with AW without taking turns chasing The Toddler and it was great to talk & catch up with The Dodsons.
We saw Spirit, the eagle, fly into the stadium and that was pretty awesome. The band played, the crowd cheered and the players took the field. The Tigers scored almost immediately and it was all down hill for their opponent after that.
While the game wasn't terribly exciting, the atmosphere was fun! We had great seats and half-time was very entertaining. The band performed and then they had 1,100 {1,100!} cheerleaders from different schools take the field & do a routine. You've never seen so much sparkle & pom-pom in one place!
We all shared a nice warm funnel cake while bundled up under our blankets & coats and cheered on The Tigers. {No, I didn't say any Auburn "phrases" but I did want them to win.}
After the 3rd quarter we headed out. We went back to the condo, thawed out & then headed to get Starbucks & food to-go. We.Are.WILD!
We got back in around 10:30, stayed up for about another hour snuggling in the LoveSac & chatting. Yes, a LoveSac. It's pretty much my favorite piece of furniture. It's a giant bean bag {without the beans} that has a little foot prop & neck pillow. It is so comfortable and SO BIG!
We went to bed at 11:30 and I could barely hold my eyes open. I was hopeful this might be the best night's sleep I've had in over 2 years! I couldn't wait! But really, it wasn't any better than when we're at home. I missed my morning Toddler snuggles & kisses and couldn't wait to get back. I know, I know, we were only gone 24 hours but y'all, he's SO CUTE!
Ok, funny story about his outfit. My friend, Lyndsey, worked at Kid's Market this season. Since she got to shop early I asked her if she wouldn't mind looking for a couple of toys & a Christmas outfit for Anderson. She called me while she was shopping & said she found a cute little Christmas outfit for a good price. The other side was reversible & it was orange with a little football on it, did I want it? I said sure, it's only $9.
Later that evening she called me & said, "You're not going to believe what I did. I got home & was looking at that outfit & saw there was a name monogrammed under the football. When I turned it to that side the name is 'Anders'! So, it's close but who names their kid 'Anders'?!"
I was cracking up! "I'll just have the 'o' & 'n' added to it & it'll be great," I said. Well, when I was looking at it I realized I would have to rip the seam, have it monogrammed & then re-stitch it. For a $9 outfit? Yeah, I totally just put him in it & let him wear it around the house.
Anyway, we had a fun night away with our friends, we survived a night away from The Toddler & our mixed marriage is also surviving, nay thriving. Roll Tide to that, y'all!
