Glory Days

It’s that time of year again. The time of two a days, drills and camp.

The start of football season!

My word. I am a sucker for high school and college ball. NFL, I can take it or leave it. Perhaps it’s because I have no emotional tie to it. But HS or college? Be still my fluttering heart, I love it.

This should come as no surprise to those that know me, but, I was a cheerleader in high school (shocking, I know). I think I even got a plaque or something for most photogenic, or most smiley, or crap like that. I don’t remember. But, at the time, it was a really big deal. Maybe it was most improved? Grr, this is going to drive me crazy. Must find that next time I am home!

We each had a football player that we had to buy weekly goodies for, and make treats for. Mine was my surrogate little brother. We also shared a locker. He was my high school BFF. We had so much fun together. I miss him.

I love nothing more than pep rallies and run throughs (that’s what we called that big sign that the players would rip to shreds—what did y’all call it?). I love poms (do not add the extra “pom”), megaphone and pleats. I adore all things football.

I so desperately want my future children to be cheerleaders and football players—this horrifies my husband to no end—I was Suzie High School, he was Too Cool for School. It’s a wonder we're married! Our boys will play football and our girls will cheer. Done and done.

The Kenny Chesney song “The Boys of Fall” makes me all happy. It reminds me of simple times. Of screaming my heart out every Friday night, of away games and Oreo cookies, of cleaning my shoes every Saturday morning, of bonfires and late nights—the happy days of my youth.

Not to say that high school was the best years of my life, because it surely wasn’t, but, it was a good time. My mom was alive. My mom was the best cheer mom EVER. My dad and stepmom had season tickets to my high school football and basketball games, for no other reason than to watch me cheer. It was fun. My biggest worry was how much hairspray I needed, or if we had enough green paint for our cars, I mean, really, it was a simple joy.

The victories. The defeat when we were so close to a CIF Championship game…. The tears we cried. The fun we had.

Our glory days.

T--T-E--T-E-M-P-L-E-T-O-N—We’re Templeton ::clap clap::

Sack that quarterback—defense—make contact!

E-A-G--L-E-S, Eagles, Eagles, We are the best!

Yes, those were some of my high school cheers. Am slightly mortified....

I can’t wait to live that again.

Even if it means I’ll be old, and the parent of a teenager.

Of course, I have to have a child first in order for him/her to become a teenager. Details, people, details!

Do you love football season as much as I do? What are your favorite high school memories?