Five Years Ago Today..

We Are Champions! Proud Philadelphians Rejoice!

Five Years Ago Today

In lieu of my normal self-care Saturday post, I’m simply reflecting on a truly glorious memory. Five years ago today, my home team, the Philadelphia Eagles won Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis, MN. I was BESIDE myself with joy for my team, my city, and fellow long-suffering fans. Super kudos to the ones who go to the games week after week, year after year regardless of the type of season that the team is having!

We did it‼️ 💚🖤🤍

I’d made a last-minute decision to even go to Minneapolis nudged on by my son and his absolute lob of getting me a plane ticket. Then my two friends said that I could stay with them when I asked. Truth be told, I’d only known them socially. I’d never been to their house! But There were literally NO rooms available either by hotel or Airbnb which wouldn’t cost a fortune. The most expensive was going for 10K per night.

So many cool musical events too. I met so many iconic folks! Even scored a ticket to Questlove’s DJ party that sold out way in advance. I can’t even remember the name of the sweet soul who got me and my friend into a party I had zero intent on even attending since tickets were like $150 a pop! VIP at that? Now, it was unreal how things just fell together. The Purple Fam’s love is unmatched💜.

Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis had curated a fantastic FREE concert series throughout the Super Bowl featuring various artists, but highlighting musicians who repped the “Minneapolis Sound” proper. Groups like Morris Day and the Time, collaborating with Sheila E., Mint Condition, NPG with Andre Cymone, And groups like Rae Sremmurd for the younger folks.

There was one catch.

The shows were OUTSIDE and COLD🥶 like the warmest night was 32 degrees cold. The rest hovered around -2 degrees below zero with GOD knows what wind chill. Guitar strings froze and burst. My phone literally froze and cut off and I had to revive it with my body heat, Lol! But it’s an experience of a lifetime and I’ll never forget it.

And THEN my team freaking WON an epic game against a team few thought that they could beat! And they did so in EPIC fashion. #PhillyPhilly

And I’d be remiss without mentioning the trip back home. I actually was flying into DV since I live in VA. But I promise you that the terminal and my aircraft was a Philly takeover. Fans everywhere.

I saw this guy who just looked like he was from South Philly too and started the chant: E.A.G.L.E.S. EAGLES‼️ We just cackled and hugged Lol. I never met that man a day in my life before then. I’m normally introverted too. Especially with people I don’t know.

I would say #itsaphillythang

But in this instance, it’s also the mist of being in my second home💜#mpls

Thankfully the team delayed the victory parade at home. (My gut tells me they were way too hungover)😂 I didn’t mind as I was able to spend some more time with friends then it was time go home. Even though I had a day to spare I was still super tired of the drive to Philly but on the road I hit with my oldest diva in tow. My son had to work.

My grandmother’s house is walking distance from broad street so that’s what we did., along with hundreds of fans just to see the trophy ride by, scream, yell, and celebrate. Then we trekked back home to watch the rest of the festivities on tv.

Jason Kelce didn’t disappoint either, the way that his sound was cut multiple times in the speech tickled me. The producers wisely had him on delay🤣

Y’all don’t like it, we don’t care‼️

He spoke FACTS! So what he dropped the “F” bomb to get his point across a couple of times?

Kelce is beloved. He’s gritty. He feels like one of us. And he was right: The underdog IS a hungry dog! And honestly, because I had waited literally my WHOLE life for that moment, having JUST turned 50 at the time, I’m GOOD if the Eagles never won again.

Of course, I’ll celebrate with joy if they win it again next week. The icing on the cake for yet another year, for a team that’s the underdog.

Although I left home to join the military decades ago, I’m a proud Philadelphian through and through. And I’m so super thankful to grow up as I did with winning sports teams. In a city filled with so many passionate people who loved them just as much as I did.

Our victory celebrations are epic. As a child I truly learned the value of everyone coming together, putting all the b.s. aside and LITERALLY dancing til dawn in the streets. The cops just left us alone as long as things stayed jovial.

In times like this, I really miss my brother Norm. He was my eyes and ears on the street and always shared with me so I can take it in and live through him. My oldest brother Tony moved down south as a teen so Norm was it. I’m so sorry he transitioned before the win on this day five years ago. He would’ve gone NUTS!!

It was truly glorious.

So, I’m sending winning vibes to the Birds in next week’s game. Y’all have played one helluva season. Ya’ll need just one more win.

Show up and show out next week‼️

From the bottom of my heart, a huge thank you to the players for giving me the gift of shutting up every single hater who LOVED throwing the lack of a Super Bowl win in our faces despite our three pre-Super Bowl championship wins.

Go Kick ass and take some names next week!

#FlyEaglesFly🦅