Monday, January 25, 2010

Oh When the Saints...

Come marching in...Oh when the Saints come marching in...

{picture me waving my black and gold parasol and parading around like the owner of the Saints...Tom Benson}

woooo hoooo!!!! It feels like Christmas here  ;)

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Yesterday evening, I have never seen Louisiana

So electric

So intensified

So black and gold

So emotional

So proud

in all of my 39 years of life here in the Bayou State.

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Sure, I've been to my share of Saints games in the Super Dome, with some wins and many losses. I remember when tickets were so cheap and even sometimes, a person couldn't even give them away. Seats in the dome were empty, except for those die hard fans who never gave up the faith but were forced to wear paper bags over their faces in fear of being shamed. The pre-game show commentators were always for the other team as the Saints were labeled the worst team in the NFL.

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~Times have changed~

This season, the Saints exploded with a surprise win after win, proving that they had what it takes to get to the top, to be the number one seed in the NFC, to play the number two seed in the NFC, to win the NFC Championship, and head for Miami to Super Bowl XLIV. {{That's a lot of joy to express in one sentence.}}

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Whether you stopped at a gas station, went out to eat, or went into the grocery store, you were sure to see that at least one out of three people were proudly wearing some sort of black and gold in support for Louisiana's team. Even in church, the priest cut mass a little short so that every one could be home in time for kick-off. Talk about faith!!! ;)

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We watched the game with some of our closest friends who live about 30 miles away. On the way over, the drive was quiet as there was hardly any traffic. Entering their small town located right along busy Interstate-10, it was eery to see very little traffic as everyone was settling in, getting ready to watch history take place. The only signs of life was at the local bars and restaurants who were airing the game live as the parking lots were full of vehicles. The streets however, were bare.

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Saints pride was everywhere, but mostly in our hearts. As the ten of us best friends sat there, huddled in every available seat and in a circle on the floor in front of the television, I cannot explain to you how emotional that game was. I could never properly express how awesome it was to see the Louisiana Super Dome filled with joy and hope instead of the loss and devastation it was filled with after Hurricane Katrina only a little over 5 years ago.

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Thinking of the long road that New Orleans has traveled since then really brought tears to my eyes. There are so many blessings to be thankful for, and the Saints are a huge blessing to New Orleans and to all of us here in Louisiana. They have given us hope and they have given us a reason to be proud of our state again. In the midst of  rebuilding and starting anew, we realized it was not only about the rebuilding of homes and businesses, but the rebuilding of our pride too. We now have something to look forward to. It feels good. And it shows in everything we do.

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Just to give you an idea, the above photos are of my "Saints Tree" that I have in the corner of my living room along side of our big screen television. It is a black Christmas tree that I decorated with black and gold ornaments. I even glittered my favorite player's numbers on some of them. {And for those of you who know me, I really really really HATE using glitter so you KNOW I love my Saints enough to do that!} ;) 

Every game day this season, we proudly turned on the lights and made a wish that our Saints would come through. Last night was no exception as we returned home to find the house dark, except for the glow of the Saints Tree reminding us of our blessings. Amazing what a football team can do, right?

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If you remember reading any of my posts before Christmas, I begged Santa to bring the Saints to the Super Bowl. We sure must have been some good kids because he gifted us with these cool authentic team jerseys, personalized with our last name and the number of the year we were born.  Damn I must have been a good girl. Thad? I'm not so sure as I must have made up the difference ;)

And last but not least...the Saints ARE headed to Miami for the Super Bowl!!! Can you imagine what I-10 East will look like when Louisiana leaves for Miami??? It will be a sea of black and gold goodness with flags and banners streaming from the windows of every vehicle with a Louisiana license plate! Miami will never be the same!!! ;)

These photos of us were taken with my iPhone as I actually FORGOT to bring my camera last night. Now do you get a clear picture of exactly how nervous I was about the game??? I never forget my camera...ever. It is my 5th limb. Yes, I was that nervous!

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Gosh I shouldn't be showing you these crazy photos of me crying with joy and Thad shouting "Miami Baby!!!" (look at Janet in the background behind Thad...emotions were everywhere and they were all good!!!!) We'd laugh, then cry, hug each other, then laugh some more. Before I knew it, I was in tears again. We are just so happy and proud.

I know this may not be a big deal to some or even most of you but let me just say one thing before I end this post...

It's not just about the "football". It's about everything that comes with it. The excitement, the hopes, the dreams, the family time, being with friends, the loyalty, the devotion, and the PRIDE of both the fans and the players. I'm sure there is much more that I didn't list because I already told you before, there is NO way that I can properly express how proud we are of our Saints...

It's not just about the "football"... it's much more than that.

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I'm hoping you'll be cheering for a Saints Super Bowl win in two weeks.

You will be, right???

;)

30 comments:

Kim said...

Just recently started following your blog and had to leave a message to say Congrats to your Saint's. I'm not a football fan myself, but I am from Minnesota (living in the suburbs of Mpls) and of course was hoping the Vikings could pull of a win for the sake of my home state, but sadly the cards weren't in our favor. Lots of disappointed people here for sure. Good luck at the Super Bowl!!

Julie Ann said...

Oh Jodie!!! :) I'm so glad to see you're back from vacay! I haven't had much time to read blogs lately, but I'm slowly catching up! How AWESOME that you were at the game yesterday!! That must have been exhilarating!!! Your pictures capture the joyful spirit, whether they were taken with a camera or not! :) What a wonderful memory- and I'll be rooting for you and the Saints in 2 weeks!

Jane said...

Well the Saints came marching in this season!! Congrats to the team and to all the fans who have stood by them all of these years. I'll be cheering for them in the Super Bowl.
Jane

MyThoughtsMyVoice said...

Oh Jodie, I am happy for you! :-) Football isn't played here as much as there (YOu are talking about football, yes?), but reading your story . . . the symbolism of the team, the joy it brings to your state . . . yes, it makes me happy too. Loyalty, devotion, all of which you said shows in this post. It's like just as your place has risen from the devastation that Katrina brought, Your team did it too during those games - to rise again. No paperbags present, only smiles and the pride each felt :-) I know the tree you made meant a lot and that it has been a wonderful reminder of so many things. I think it's cute too to have one :-)

Mizpah,
Li

(I definitely remember you saying you are not into glitters :-) )

vintage girl at heart said...

Yippeee! I was so happy when I woke up and checked the news!!!!! Go SAINTS!!!! I am so happy as I have been rootin' for them too!!!!! I ran to my 'puter first thing to see if your post was up yet!! tee hee!!!
Love your tree too what a fabulous way to show your pride!!!!
Will yall be trampsin' down to Miami???
Well girl have a Blessed week!!!

Unknown said...

G'morn ~ Thumbs up! & Congrats on your win. Great game.

Have a beautiful week.
TTFN ~ Marydon

Robin Thomas said...

You are a good fan girl!

KeKe said...

I'll support your passion for your team...But we're rivals...lol
Love the jerseys!!

Claudia said...

We were watching that game and were cheering the Saints on! Whoo hoo! What an amazing win! I am so happy for New Orleans!

We will definitely be cheering them on in the Super Bowl.

xo
Claudia

kana said...

Jodie,

I believe that I may just cheer on the Saints as well!! Such excitement for you guys. The Titans had a bad season this year, so why not cheer for the Saints! I agree with you on the earlier post....when life/work gets hectic, I do need more creative time.

Linda @ A La Carte said...

I love the SAINTS!!! Congrats on an awesome win! Super Bowl here you come. I lived in New Orleans back in the 70's and was a Saints fan(and still am) and saw games like you when the Super Dome was all but empty. I am so happy for them, you and all their fans. Time something good happened in the Big Easy!

Anonymous said...

who dat going to the superbowl!! OHH THE SAINTS thats who! hehe I cant wait!
toodles-
sarah

Debby said...

Yeah!!! I am so happy for you. It is going to be a great Super Bowl!!! I can hardly wait. Go Saints. You found you black tree and it looks awesome..doing the happy dance in Canada.
Hugs,
debby

The Victorian Parlor said...

WooHoo!!! You better believe I'll be cheering for them!!! I was hoping they'd win last night so I would have someone to pull forin the Superbowl. I am not much of an NFL fan but I think you have converted me-I'm lovin' the Saints!!!

Blessings,

Kim

Embellished Bayou said...

What a wonderful post, Jodie! I am so happy for the team, the city, and the state. I think this has finally brough unity to our state, as many people up in North LA "were" Dallas fans. I'm proud to say I've ALWAYS been a Saints fan, even when I didn't cheer too loud for them! WHO DAT!!!!

the gypsy chick said...

Jodie, it was a great game!!! I do have to confess that my hubby is a HUGE Vikings fan and I have not been able to take to him in the past 12 hours for fear that he might burst into tears. ;)
We actually had a friend (Mike Riley) that coached for the Saints for a bit, and I really became a fan. (but shhh don't tell the hubby)

Lisa said...

Congrats Jodie! My daughter (the Tulane grad school graduate)said that NOLA was sooo pumped up last night! I can only imagine. I'm thinkin' that even though I'm a Texan and my hubby is a die hard Cowboy fan, I've got 2 kids and a bloggy buddy in LA, so I'm rootin' for the Saints. :)

trash talk said...

Laissez le bon temp rouler, mon ami! (Did I spell it right? If not, that's Texan for I am so excited for you, darlin'!) Wish I could be in N'awlins for this party!
Debbie

Karen said...

WHO DAT!! WHO DAT!! WHOO HOOOOO!!!!!!!!!
Girl, my husband looked at me and voted me insane when that ball sailed through those two tall skinny posts just straight as an arrow! Because I went bananas. I know everyone I know in California is cheering on your Saints - if it can't be the Chargers, then it must be the Saints.
Are you gonna go? Can you get tickets? it's going to be a mass exodus when the entire state of LA heads for Florida! How very fun! I know the excitement you are feeling - we felt the same way when our Angels (funny how we both have Heavenly teams isn't it?) won the World Series!
I am so happy for you. And I laughed when you fessed up to using glitter on your ornaments!
HAGD! Hugs! and congratulations!
Who Dat!! Who Dat!!!

WIZARD OF ONCE WAS "WooW" said...

Hey Jodie,
I got so super excited for you that I "sang" you a tune on your previous post...silly me! Have a great one!
Gale

Patti's Artful Design said...

Hi Jodie! You've been busy girl....sporting events, cruise, blogging!!! I just want to say a "big thank you" for the "watermark" tutorial. I love it....you are the best!

June said...

How did I know you would be posting about the game today...call it DUH??!! My husband watched it until the PBR came on and then we went back and forth between the two until the game was over, so I didn't see the whole thing. I LOVE me some cowboys and bull riding.hehe I was so happy that you would be happy, so I made hubs be happy too. He was actually rooting for the 'other' team until I told him he couldn't anymore. (please don't hate him for it) I'm so excited that the Saints won. Wow what a close game! Very exciting.
hugs from me today!

Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas said...

I am SOOOOO glady they won!!! This is a beautiful post Jodie, and I was cheering them on as hard as I could!!!

Lou Cinda :)

Pam @ Frippery said...

Jodie I know how you feel as we have lived with our Bengal tickets for years! Of course the Saints were actually winners!!!! Congrats, I was cheering them on last night. Are you going to the Super Bowl?

Anonymous said...

This is exactly what Louisiana needs. I understand what you are saying about it being more than a football game. I am rooting for them.
Kentucky has done us proud too.
QMM

LiLi M. said...

Of course I will do that! I hope they will hear me from afar! Good luck to the Saints!

zandra said...

Glitter! You MUST love those Saints! Love the black tree, I want one. ;o) Sorry, Jodie my daughter lovessss Manning, so don't hate me but we are routing for the Colts. But, if they lose I'm glad it will be your team!
Hugz, Z

Madison said...

Welll... Im a kid I don't care much at ALL for football but my dad definately does not like the Saints. Oh well... I judge teams by state and uniforms!LOL

meleen dupré said...

jodie!!!!

i was thinking of you while we watched the game (the men here were going on and on about brett favre) but i had my fingers crossed for you the whole time!!!
...so happy for you!!!

meleen

Becca said...

That was an AWESOME game!! That kick! WOOHOO! I am SO routing for your guys :-)