I spent most of the night under a blanket.

The game was too intense for me, a 23-year Indianapolis Colts fan. I’d had my hopes dashed too many times. Very often by THAT team, the New England Patriots. A few other times by that OTHER team, the Pittsburgh Steelers. This time we were so close. One minute and four points away from a Super Bowl. One minute and four points away from erasing many years of disappointment. One minute and four points away from reversing Peyton Manning’s reputation as a QB who chokes in the big game.

I had already taken off my Colts t-shirt in agonized desperation during the 2nd quarter. I couldn’t watch many of the plays, opting to clean the kitchen (where I have no TV), do the laundry  (again a TV-free zone), or finally, hide under my blanket. My daughter thought I was playing with her, and she kept pulling off my blanket, exposing me to the anxiety of the last quarter.
And then Marlin Jackson intercepted Tom Brady.

23 years of waiting, and we’re finally in the big game! I get to use my horseshoe cake pan for a Super Bowl party!

GO COLTS!!!