Despite living minutes away from the Notre Dame campus and enjoying all that tailgating has to offer, I have never been to a game. I don’t have the connections or finances to afford going to the game. It was one of those things that I always hoped to do and this weekend my day finally came.
My dad got two tickets to a game and a chance to dine for breakfast and dinner at a local country club through his work for free this weekend. My mom was his original date, but when I went on and on about how I have always wanted to go, she gave me her ticket so I could have a date with my dad.
Growing up, my mom & dad both worked and they equally shared duties with me. One parent worked nights and one worked days and I feel like I kind of got the best of both worlds. I am sure it was hard for their marriage, but it was great for a little girl who wanted to be the apple of each of her parent’s eyes.
Since I returned home five years ago, there are few opportunities for my dad and I to have that time together anymore. His work schedule is intense, my life as a busy mom can be intense, and we both long for that quality time together.
I don’t know who was happier in this picture, me or him. It was just what we both needed and I am so lucky to have a dad who shows me off like I am the next best thing to sliced bread, a mom who would give up
her ticket so we could have this opportunity to be together, and a husband who would take care of the kids so I could have some special time with my dad.
This was the view from my seat- we were just behind the press and photographers for the game. I soaked this moment in for all it was worth- drinking in the beauty of the campus, savoring my moment in the sun, and at peace because my dad & I finally got some time together.
The pictures aren’t great because I took them with my camera phone, but I won’t forget any of it for a single second.
Go, Irish!
Thank you, Daddy, for bringing me with you- I will never ever forget it!
xoxoxo
Oh….I LOVE that you two had a football date!! That is so awesome. I’m happy for you all.
p.s. love the game day picture…that’s a framer!
[Reply]
Oh man I am such a sappy football fan. I cried reading this. That photo of you and your dad is precious.
I am glad you went and had fun.
[Reply]
Wow! What a great gift of a day!
[Reply]
Oh Amy, how sweet! My dad was in the hospital on Saturday, so this REALLY brought a tear or two to my eyes! Savor every moment!
p.s. Dad’s fine now!
[Reply]
My first football game ever was at Notre Dame (But we were cheering on Purdue) and I was pregnant, cold, and not as happy as you, girl! : )
Steph
[Reply]
How very, VERY special for you both. That’s a gift and a treasure.
[Reply]
That sounds like so much fun! I actually got to walk through the ND football locker room and walk onto the field like the players do on game day. It was very neat. ND is the best place to watch a football game. There is such tradition!
[Reply]
I love you right back! Being with you was the best part of the day for me.
Dad
[Reply]
we are huge ND fans (my husband and his father are both graduates)! how fun that you were able to go…there really is nothing like an ND game!
[Reply]
You sound so happy & proud, but I work with your Dad, and I think he is prouder!
[Reply]
How special, Amy! It’s such an awesome atmosphere, isn’t it? Such a great experience to share with your dad
[Reply]
What a great day for the both of you! This is definitely something my dad and I did a lot of (though sometimes football was substituted by fishing, hiking, soccer, etc) and as a tried and true Daddy’s Girl, I can relate to your excitement.
hugs,
Steph
[Reply]
This is so cool, I’ve never had a date like this with my dad!
Since moving to NWI a couple years ago, it’s been on our list to go to a ND game some day. Sounds like it was a blast!
[Reply]
Amy, how sweet is that! My dad is in Heaven now but I always looked forward to special time with him. He knew everyone wherever we went so you always felt like you belonged.
I hope you get many more of those fall days with your dear dad!
[Reply]
Amy, I can only tell you what I saw in your PROUD daddy eyes today as he showed everyone your photo and blog page. He is a proud father. He was so excited. He is a wonderful man full of pride for his family. We love him at work too. This was a huge FOREVER moment for both of you.Thanks for sharing!
[Reply]
Hi (Simon here). Aren’t fall football games GRAND? Even if it’s Notre Dame.
(runs and ducks)
Just kidding, that looks LOVELY!
[Reply]
You guys are making me feel so weepy today
Thank you for sharing your own sweet stories of dates with your dads. I highly recommend it- we truly had a wonderful time.
MamaGeek: Hey, Simon, come back tomorrow, I promise the photography will be much better. I want you to see my pumpkin patch photos.
[Reply]
I’m an alum, but only got to go to one game while I was at grad school there. Just didn’t have the $$. I’ve been to 3 more in the 20 years (eek) since I graduated. It’s always a great time, and an amazing thing to be a part of.
I’m glad you had the chance to share that day with your dad.
[Reply]
How cool, isn’t if funny no matter how old we get we still feel like little girls around our Daddies? My dad and brother were at this game too! This was their first game too, they’d been dying to go forever! They went with my uncle who has been going with his son for probably 12 years.
[Reply]
That is so sweet. Me and my hubby went on a football date for our anniversary last week since he proposed to me at a game so it reminds me of that. He bought me a diamond ring from http://www.idonowidont.com which was really sweet too. p.s. ladies, if your doing a football date and its a big occassion, have your man pick you up a nice piece of jewelry from this site, it makes the game even more exciting!
[Reply]
Good for you, Amy! That’s awesome! I’m so glad that you were able to share that time with your dad.
[Reply]
I know that every University has it’s own special tradition but there is something unique about Notre Dame. My husband is a 34+ year employee and we have hosted many guests for games….
some die-hard fans….some not so much….but I think all leave with a fond memory of the beautiful campus and the warm welcoming people.If you are ever in the area please know that there are many, many, public places on campus to, eat, pray, stroll and just enjoy.
[Reply]
Well, since my family lives near a certain Big Ten University that lost to you earlier this year, I can admire the view but not the team… hehehe.
When my daughter was considering colleges, hubby said she could go anywhere but Notre Dame. If she went there, he would disown her.
Spoken like a true alum of the Gold and Black.
[Reply]
Brenda- I actually went to Purdue so I can relate. It is easy to get caught up in the ND hype when you live near it though and that is what happened to us
[Reply]
I am tearing up reading this post! That is so wonderful that you can appreciate the time with your dad! I am so happy that you two got some time alone together! Heather
[Reply]