So
I was planning for this post to come in a week or so but after yesterday’s game
it’s the right time to show my Auburn Pride. The Auburn Family needs a pick me
up after watching our miracle luck run out in epic horrible fashion. Auburn is
not just a team, it’s not just football it’s really more a way of life. I was
the 10th in my family to graduate from Auburn University, and I hope my nephews will continue the tradition.
In
elementary school we had a “career day” where we were supposed to come to school
dressed up in what we wanted to be when we grew up. There were kids in doctor
scrubs, kids in football and baseball uniforms, boys in their Sunday best as
businessmen, girls dressed as teachers carrying around books, and even a few
mommy’s walking around with dolls. As the teacher went around the class asking
each kid to explain what they wanted to be she skipped over me. As a super
awesome kid I just assumed she wanted to save the best for last. After the last
kid went she started to move on to the next thing on her daily agenda. I raised
my hand and asked why she skipped me. She said she assumed I had forgotten. I
said but I didn’t. So she asked “Well what do you want to be?” I stood up next
to my desk all tall and proud and said, “I want to be an Auburn student!” I was
dressed from head to toe in Auburn gear. Auburn sweatpants, sweatshirt, bow in
my hair and socks with a big AU on them. In my head that’s what students wore.
My
mother grew up in Opelika which is located about 10 minutes from the campus of
Auburn University. She met my father while he was a student there. I owe a lot
to Auburn University, because if they hadn’t both been on the same path that
day I wouldn’t be here. That’s not why I love Auburn tho. It’s just one of the many
reasons that I love this University. On every
day, not just Day 9, I’m thankful that I am an Auburn Tiger!
My
dad has had season tickets since he graduated. It was his “splurge” that he
never questioned. As a young kid going to spend the weekend in Auburn meant
seeing my grandmother (who still lived in Opelika) and spending Saturdays
playing football with other tailgating kids, eating food right off a fire, and
cheering on the Auburn Tigers. I used to make it my mission to find Aubie. There
is not a mascot on the planet who gives better hugs, better high fives, or just
induces more smiles and giggles from its fans.
As a kid I could have cared less
if Auburn won the ball game, which is good cause at that time we lost more than
we won. There were no devastating looks on the faces of the Auburn Alumni and
fans in those stands back in those days. Sure a win was appreciated but not as
“expected” as it is now. Nope, for me the ball game was secondary to walking
around the beautiful campus, seeing the spectacle that is an SEC game, watching
the students make their way towards class as I walked around on a Friday
afternoon with my dad, mom, and brother. Every single time Dad would point out
the same buildings and his old apartment as we rode around campus then just as
we left campus to head to my grandmothers would point to what is now a parking lot where he met my mom. Once the game was over dad would take our hands and
walk us back to wherever we parked the car (no assigned parking back then it
was every car for themselves). I could never figure out how he always remembered
where the car was in rain, shine, or in the dead of night after a night game. We’d
make our way back to my grandmother’s spend the night (or have dinner if it was
a day game) then the next day would see aunts and cousins before making the
trip back home to start our week again. Dad to work, us to school, that among
many other memories is why I associate Auburn with family.
 |
| My grandmother and I getting ready to walk to the stadium |
When
it was time to apply to colleges, Auburn was the only one I applied to. I
didn’t have a backup plan, I didn’t have a safety school.
I didn’t need one. I was going to be an Auburn student and it was going to be
awesome. My brother was at the University my freshman year, we overlapped by a
semester and I was glad we did. He taught me a lot, provided me with a lot of
my social interaction, and was a phone call away when I needed him. It was at
Auburn that I met my sister from another mother, Golden and learned how to
prioritize, be responsible, and manage money. It was at Auburn that I became
more than just a student I became the person that I was destined to be. I was
finally an Auburn Tiger and would eventually become an Auburn Alumni Lifetime
member since 2001.
Auburn
is more than a University, it’s more than a football team, it’s more than a W
or a L on a schedule it’s a truly a way of life. Would I have liked to win
yesterday, sure but let’s face it it’s been a great season with some epic
moments, but our luck was bound to run out at some point. With a schedule as
challenging as ours was honestly it ran out a lot later than I would have
thought. Another epic last minute win would have been great, however the
pressure is now off and we can finish out this tough season strong and go into
these final games without that “playoff” monkey on our back. I for one am
looking forward to watching a ball game sober, to not having a 4th
quarter heart attack, and to not gaining more grey hair based on what Nick
Marshall and his offense does or does not do on the field.
So
until next season Auburn Family stay strong. Wear your Auburn Orange with
pride, be true Blue and keep your head up. Auburn’s been down before but we
aren’t out we’ll finish the season strong and it will make next season even
better because let’s face it if you are in the hunt year in and out you come to
expect it and stop appreciating it as much.
WAR
EAGLE!!!!!
-marcy
(@beaslma)
