It Was The Night Things Changed...

Well, it’s certainly been a while since my last post. Everything and nothing has happened since the hurricane… first off all, let’s start with…

WORLD CHAMPIONS.

WORLD F*CKING CHAMPIONS!

We all went on what seemed like the most intense bender of our lives with these games – I don’t think we could have lasted another two games! It was so disappointing to have Game Five postponed in the middle of the game; however, at least we had a day to regroup and prepare for the partying that would follow. I can tell you right now, you can find the most dedicated Philadelphia fans in… St. Thomas, VI.

That’s right. I don’t care if you stood out in the cold and the rain to watch a game that went until 2 AM. I don’t care if you parked your butt out on Broad Street for 7 hours to wait for a 4 minute parade to come around. I don’t care if you painted your face, tipped over that car while celebrating, ran up the stairs of the Art Museum, or even stood in line at 7 AM when Modell’s opened to start selling the copious amounts of champion t-shirts. That does not a more dedicated fan make.

We carted our Phillies phan gear 1500 miles away and wear it more proudly here than we would at home since we are all displaced. We made it known that if we were at the bar, the Philadelphia game must be on at least 70% of the TVs (and thankfully, the bartenders complied). We also made it known that those in our group of friends that were not from Philly (i.e. Missouri, Michigan, Massachusetts, etc.) had become Phillies Phans by association. As soon as Lidge threw that last strike, every single one of us were on the phone with our families, fellow phans back home and of course, those Yankees fans with sour grapes. Instead of each plunking down $1000 for a roundtrip ticket just to go to the parade down Broad Street, we made our own parade (literally, of course).

I will always remember that exact moment and the feeling of that extreme emotion, no matter how much I had to drink that night during our celebration. It’s moments like that that don’t go away; in twenty or so years, one image of Lidge falling to his knees, one taste of Jagermeister (ugh!) or one morning when I wake up with a hangover that I think might be the worst of my life, will bring me back to that moment. And while I wasn’t in Philly, I know I wouldn’t trade it for the world. (Though I would be OK if we had to wait another few years for another championship win; I don’t think my body could handle another hangover like that for quite a while.)

Here’s some suggested reading for you all; this article explains why it’s more than just a game. And that couldn’t be more true.

http://www.philly.com/dailynews/sports/playbook/20081031_Rich_Hofmann__The_joy_goes_far_beyond_final_score_of_World_Series.html?referrer=facebook

World Champions!

This link might work to see the video I put together from our night of celebrating (let me know if it doesn't!)
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=514518204762&ref=share

*Tonight we stand and get off our knees. We'll fight for what we've worked for all these years. The battle was long, and it's the fight of our lives, but we'll stand up champions tonight. It was the night things changed; we see it now. These walls that they put up to hold us back fell down; this is a revolution; throw your hands up because we never gave in. We sang hallelujiah...*

You know you love me.
XOXO
- Island Girl