true love

Tonight I had the privilege of accompanying my parents, Herb and Diane, in their Friday night routine. In the fall, when Dorman is playing at home, they go to the game to support the Cavaliers. My brothers Will and Jeff both played DHS football, and my parents have kept up their tickets and reserved parking spot. Numbered. Just like at Clemson.

But before Dorman games, Herb and Diane love a nice romantic dinner at the Waffle House right up from the high school. I have turned my nose up at this in the past, but I have to admit my patty melt tonight was pretty darn good. And we all ate for less for $20.00. But I digress- Herb likes the chopped steak and eggs, Diane the pecan waffle. Mom and I got our food before Dad did, and I noticed her cutting a quarter of her waffle and putting it on a separate plate. I thought that it was very kind of her to do that for me, as I had a hard time deciding between the pecan waffle and the patty melt. But she pushed it over to my dad. She said she does it every time, a sweet sacrifice for someone who loves a good waffle!

rainy day in Tiger Town

Some of my earliest memories involve going to Clemson football games. Had the cheerleading outfits, the pom poms, clemson tiger paw socks (anyone remember those?!) and a painted orange tiger paw on the cheek. In fact, I really think the reason we lost to Marshall my first game as a Clemson student was because I wore a purple tiger paw on my cheek instead of an orange one. Oh, the horror! But I have never in my 28 years of cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley experienced a game like the Clemson- Boston College one this past Saturday.

My brother Jeff was kind enough to sit with me in my North upper deck seats for the first half of the game. We had little rain through half time, but once the band finished playing, the rain started falling. Jeff and I are below in our rain gear, his more appropriately colored than mine!

Several minutes into the third quarter, we see the players take off running towards the locker room. Apparently there was lightning within five miles of the stadium, so the officials announced the first weather delay. Jeff, in all of his college sophomore wisdom, had worn a bathing suit under his pants, and promptly stripped down before the left the stadium. It looked lovely with his hiking shoes and socks! He had the last laugh though, as he was the driest out of all us!

Will came and met us after the first weather delay, and we decided to go sit in my parents' seats in the lower South stands. They are not so hard to get into after a 45 minute delay! Mom was wisely out in the car, but it was fun to sit with my dad and brothers. Until the second delay came...lightning had been spotted again, so we had to wait another 45 minutes after the start of the 4th. My dad, who NEVER leaves early, was ready to call it quits at that point. But Will encouraged us all to stay, and I am glad we did.

Waiting out the 2nd delay

We finished the game (four hours and forty-six minutes after kickoff, a CU record) COMPLETELY soaked, but I had the best time at a Clemson football game that I'd had in quite some time. The Tiger "D" looked great and held BC to only 54 total yards and the offense performed well enough to get a great ACC division victory, but the best part was spending time in the rain with three of my favorite men! Despite the rain and delays and ruined tailgate plans, it was truly a great day.

Finally back at the car

Along similar thoughts, I had the privilege of going to Boston College in 2006 for the Clemson- BC game in Chestnut Hill with three of my favorite girlfriends, and that trip, despite the Tigers OT loss, still ranks as one of the best away game adventures I have ever been in. Boston is an amazing city, and the people of Boston welcomed Tiger nation with open arms. I am so glad that BC is now on our schedule every year, and I think BC feels the same way. This letter, from the father of a BC player battling cancer, made me cry:

http://clemsontigers.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/092209aah.html

Yet another reason why I think Clemson people are the best in the world!

Whirlwind Week

I have neglected the blog the past two weeks but have a good excuse- Richard was in town from last Saturday until late yesterday, Sunday night. We had a wonderful week together, starting with the Clemson- Middle Tennessee game on Saturday night. Richard was post-call and going on only about an hour of sleep, so he was a huge sport to come tailgate with the family and sit through the rain at the game. We had such fun seeing old friends and cheering on the Tiger team to a 37-14 victory over the MTSU Raiders.

With my handsome brothers at the tailgate

So good to see Sarah and Jonathan! Richard really was there...

See? :) Richard and me with Ryan and Amanda and their precious baby girl Darcy

We headed to the beach on Sunday after the game with Richard's family, then drove up to Calabash, NC to visit the Christmas store eat some yummy Calabash shrimp where it first originated.

Posing with the Christmas decorations- not quite ready

On the water behind the Calabash restaurant

We headed up 17 north to Charleston on Monday afternoon, after a fun lunch in Georgetown. We were able to visit MUSC, Richard's alma mater, and see our an old friend over a fabulous dinner at Hank's. We were also able to spend some time on the Isle of Palms beach with the starfish. Richard found one, then I found one a few feet later. I picked him up to throw him in the ocean and promptly broke one of his legs. And then I broke another one! So sad...hoping they regenerated.

Right before his leg got broke

We left Charleston and headed back to Columbia Tuesday, where Rebecca and Robert were gracious to co-host a dinner party with me for Richard. A "My Boyfriend is Really Made-Up" dinner party.

with the Goingses and Harold the flamingo- a gift from Richard to Robert and Rebecca to commemorate their Yard of the Month award

sweet girls

After spending some time in Columbia, I headed to Spartanburg Thursday to visit with Richard, who had left for the Upstate the night before. We went to the Wild Wing (the Wing is good for a big time in Spartanburg!) to watch part of the Clemson- GA Tech game with my parents.

Before the dismal 1st half...and the great 2nd half comeback

We visited Pearson's Falls on Friday....

And cheered for the Terriers Saturday after some competitive corn hole and tailgating with a few of Wofford's finest alums.

Richard's stellar form- he and Jeremy won

Jeremy and adorable little Callie

Josh, Steven, Richard and Jeremy

And on Sunday, we celebrate Suzanne's birthday a couple of weeks ahead of time. Had to pack it all in!

Sue with her American Idol game

All in all we covered almost 900 miles, ate dessert with every meal, saw countless friends in five different cities and spent lots of quality time with both families. Needless to say, I didn't want the week to end but was so thankful for it!