7:30 AM, the cell phone buzzes as you roll out of bed. A pulsating headache from a bit too many cocktails from the evening prior. Stale breathe fills your cotton mouth as you search for your glass of water. Laying in bed unthrilled, but only for a moment. Staring up at the ceiling asking "Why the fuck am I awake?"
Then with a sudden urge of energy it enlivens you. A thrilling, invigorating memory that it is Saturday. Not just any Saturday, but a fall Saturday....Saturday cannot even describe....It is GAMEDAY!
You quickly jump out of bed and prepare for a glorious day ahead. Text messages are flying out and coming in. Wake up calls, agendas, hearty O-H's, and the like.
You look outside to the crystal clear blue skies, illuminated by the autumn sun. Foliage covers the ground, the air is crisp and chilled . A full breath allows the smell of the best season to electrifies your lungs. The taste of a ice cold Bud Light makes your cringe in an ironically satisfying way.
Streets are littered with beer cans and red Solo cups from the night before. The sidewalks are flooded with brightly scarlet colored gear. Passing by the occasional awkward "walk of shame" victim. People hanging out on the porches playing drink games, listening to music, partying, and forgetting life's problems for a day.
You walk in a near sprint to your destination. You arrive in the pavement paradise. High fives to all the gentlemen standing, debating and predicting the outcome of the centerpiece, the reason we are all there. Heart-filled hugs to the ladies who's bright faces are warming and comforting to be around. These are your people, your family for the next 12 weeks.
Pit stop at the ice chest filled with the adult sodas. Skedaddle to the smorgasbord. Never knew a bratwurst could taste so good at 9 AM. A million laughs, emotions, events, noises, and the like are whizzing by you even faster than you can process.
The flood gates rush us into the stadium. A sea of scarlet is waved around in cathedral-like establishment. The roar of the stadium as our saviors rush onto the field. The energy, the feeling, the atmosphere is indescribable for all. One can only take it all in and admire life at it's finest. The eruption of cheers is unfathomable to any explosion you have ever witnessed. The crowd jumps as the chord strikes over the stadium speakers and the bell rings with it's five second intervals. Hugs and high fives spread like wildfire over each and every joyous moment.
At the decision, we throw our tired arms over each other's shoulders.
How firm thy friendship O-HI-O
An electrifying feeling pulsates through every nerve in your body...this is euphoria.
Transit to the watering hole. Friends, acquaintances and newly met people all shuffle around as you grasp the bottle of beer in your hand. Smiles are wide on everyone's face as we watch the games on TV and the sunset falls before our eyes.
Intoxicated and on one of life's greatest highs.
HOW FIRM THY FRIENDSHIP O-HI-O. . .
