I’m ashamed to say… There was a point in the super bowl game when I lost the faith.

My thoughts went like this… This is so sad. We came all this way and the Patriots are going to lose the Super Bowl. Maybe this whole challenge was a bad idea. Troy worked so hard for this? ad naseum.

But then, I put on my Pollyanna hat…
We’re still here. It’s a privilege, a once in a lifetime experience. And our team doesn’t HAVE to win. The pre-game energy, the city bustling with rivalry and camaraderie. Strangers highfiving in the streets, even the heckling from falcon fans was fun. So what if the Patriots lose the Super Bowl. (FML)

After every possession, I did the math… Okay, I thought, just two touchdowns and we can bring this game around. Ok, three. Or a series of other combinations of plays. Oh what do I know?! We’re doomed! (Queue neurotic stress-eating)

All week, Troy had regaled me with random stats and superstitions that ensured a Patriot’s victory. Apparently, 11 of last 12 Super Bowls, the team wearing the white jerseys won. Did you know that? No? How about this one? In the last ten Super Bowls, if the league MVP played, his team lost. Or this one… The Patriots are 16-0 when Deion Lewis plays and 8-0 without Gronk.

All week, Troy was confident, cocky even. (As no Patriot fans are. Noooooo.) He had cursed it! That or the fact that when a groundhog has seen his shadow, the Patriots have lost the super bowl 4 out of 5 times. (???)

What a sad conclusion to Troy’s 90 day challenge. You made it Troy. The one time in your life you’ll go to super bowl (unless we win the lottery or a daughter marries an NFL player or something), you got to watch your team lose. This is why I’m not a football fan. The stress. 

At this point of despondency, I sat back in chair wolfing down a jumbo popcorn and Troy kissed his wedding ring. No joke. He literally took it from his finger and smooched it. What compelled him to do it? No idea. What does it have to do with super bowl? Your guess is as good as mine. And why is it part of a desperation prayer? I’m not sure if I’m offended. 

Then Hightower sacked oh-what’s-his-name and the popcorn went flying. 

After they scored, I said “They still need three touchdowns.”

“No,” Troy chirped, “just two touchdowns with two point conversions!” 

🤔 “To tie,” I reminded him, “in 8 minutes.” Because I’m a cautious optimist. 

The rest is a blur. It has since been filled in because Troy has watched the plays and highlights nonstop for the last 36 hours. 

All I know is there was score after score and wild jumping/screaming/all round hysterics. Troy’s iWatch alerted him to reaching his fitness goal, from his seat. The game went overtime. Win. Pandemonium. Tears. Pretty much like that. 

When a Fox News anchor pulled us aside to ask how we felt about the game, Troy replied “F***ing amazing!” Needless to say, we didn’t make the news. Aaaaand there goes my chance at fame. 

I’m still in awe, shock. This had to be one of the best games I’ve ever seen, let alone Super Bowl. The fear➡️the despair➡️the hope➡️the euphoria. 

So this is what you football fans were talking about. I get it now. 

Nagging Spouse out…