I Guess You Could Say I'm a Bulldog

When I was 12 years old, I fell in love with football and the University of Georgia.

Really though, these two new loves weren't anything new to me. I heard stories my whole life about this place and football. My dad has been a die hard for well, ever. My mom told me stories of  her waddling around pregnant with me on campus for games. I might need to fact check this, but I think my dad even wanted to name me Georgia - but mom drew the line. 

I guess you could say, I was kinda born a Bulldog.

I remember countless times, my sister and I dressed in our red and black heading to tailgate and go to the games in the fall with my dad. Sitting under the giant magnolia trees on North Campus was our notorious kid spot. We played and hung out with family friends before the game. And for the longest time, my dad convinced us we were Georgia's lucky charms - every game we went, they won. It wasn't until later that I figured out we were only going to games where the other team didn't have a chance...I learned how to spell the word 'Georgia' from the G-E-O-R-G-I-A cheer in the stadium. 

I guess you could say, red and black was just in my blood.

For the first 12 years, I was just there with more interest in watching the cheerleaders and Uga than anything else. But by the beginning of the 2002, I started to get excited. I started paying attention to these games. I knew who the players were - and two were from my hometown (what's up Greene + Pollack) I asked to go to a game instead of being told I was going to a game. I experienced my first SEC night game in Sanford Stadium, which if you've ever experienced one, you'll know the magic it holds. The lights, the noise, the excitement. I cheered. I wore red and black by choice. And I really cared if they lost - damn you 2002 Gators. And I really, really cared when they won - the Michael Johnson call by Larry Munson will forever give me goosebumps. We somehow managed to work our way into the 2002 SEC Championship where my fate was forever sealed. This season changed me. 

I guess you could say I was hooked and in love with the University of Georgia.

As I got older, my love for this football team grew with each new year, each new class, and each new season. I was asking to go to games on a regular basis. Home games, away games - the first time I ever flew on an airplane by myself was to Jacksonville to meet my dad for the Georgia/Florida game at thirteen. Jacksonville, Columbia, Lexington, Nashville, Knoxville, Tuscaloosa... If I had the chance, I was there. The rush and excitement I got from watching these Dawgs between the hedges and away was addicting, and I was so invested. I grew to love Athens, the campus, the history. It was just where my heart felt full and felt happy. I watched and experienced so many incredible wins - the Blackout in 2007 will forever be one of my favorites. And stuck through with them through the tough seasons and gut wrenching losses - I will never admit that I might have cried after the Georgia/Alabama 2012 game. And through it all, I guess you could say I was always without a doubt a Bulldog.

This past season has been nothing short of incredible.

Every game this season has made me SO proud to be wearing the red and black. We've yelled a lot, cheered a lot, jumped around a lot - and maybe even cried a few tears of happiness after last week's incredible victory. Grew to absolutely love this team, our coaches, and the Bulldog Nation who has showed up each week to cheer these guys on. Although this season and the last few have looked a lot different for us than previous ones - a lot more watching and cheering on at home with our girl, teaching her our favorite cheers, and dressing her in red and black on game days - we've thoroughly enjoyed this special year even when we can't be between the hedges.

So tonight, we won't be at the game.

We'll be sitting - okay, probably standing the entire game - cheering on our Dawgs from home. We'll still feel disbelief that this season has led us to THIS. We've been so close to this moment, so many times. But this time, it's real. For those of us that have stuck with this team through the ups and downs, for those just joining in - enjoy this. We're all welcome to soak in this moment as far as I'm concerned. We will be - no matter what happens - proud of this season and those guys on the field.

 Let all the Bulldog faithful rally behind the men who now wear the red and black with two words—two simple words which express the sentiments of the entire Bulldog nation: Go Dawgs!

I guess you could say I'm a Bulldog.