I wrote most of this Friday, but I need to put a pin in it, today, before playoffs start…
As I sit it’s the morning before MY last game of the season, emotions flood over me. Gratitude, pure and simple. You see this year I made the decision to give up my seat, so that I could get a new car (still to happen). It’s been an interesting ride over the years.
Let’s rewind…
Back in 2014, I remember being in the grocery store parking lot receiving a phone call from my very frantic husband, begging me to buy season tickets for the probability that LeBron would come back. It was a big stretch for us, even in the nosebleeds. That same year I opened up Lovely Somethings. It was basically impossible for me to make it up there in time for games, so I only went to a couple. And let go of my seat the first time.
The next few years saw Blair and his friend, Brandyn, move down to the club section and I became semi-resentful of the situation – there are so many games, and if he wasn’t there he was at home watching. The reality though, was that I was always at the store. Ships passing in the night.
My annoyance was definitely halted for the 2016 season. I think this may me the most holy night in my husband’s life. I have video of my 6’3″ hubby jumping into the air, crushing/hugging Brandyn while simultaneously screaming and sobbing, and then Blair catching Brandyn (above). Yes, a championship for Cleveland!!!!! AND we were there for it, well in Cleveland. Game seven was at Golden State, but we were able to get standing room tickets to watch it on giant screens outside of the arena. It was Blair, Brandyn, cousin Michelle and I, and I will never forget it! I joke that Blair loves the CAVS more than me, and in that moment it was clearly not a joke, but I was glad for it/him. And hell me, it was incredible to be part of that communal joy! Thank you, GOAT.
Through the ups and many downs of the subsequent seasons, Blair’s loyalty remained unwavering.
Then came Darius, and then Donovan! I think I signed on again before the Donovan trade happened, as I had the time again, and the desire to try and connect with something that was now intrinsically part of Blair. It was also spurred on by the fact that 2 of our friends, Mike and Hillary were up for tickets for the ’22-’23 season. We LOVED it, had the best time, parked in the deck (FYI cheapest close parking – $20), walked across the bridge and to our seats. I always had the aisle, then Hillary sat next to me so she could talk to me, then her husband, Mike, then Blair. I’m chuckling as I type this as it clearly wasn’t romantical hangs for us at the game. Every game we would pick a new CLE restaurant to have dinner before the game, and generally felt part of the bigger whole.
Then when time came to renew we went up the the arena to see what other seats were available – talk about kids in a candy store! We looked at them all, then the price tags, and came a bit closer to down to earth. We ended up back on the aisle, but lower level, 9 rows back from the Opponent’s bench. I didn’t realize it, but if we make it to the playoffs, you sit in your next season seats. So, for one miserable game, I sat in our new seats, staring across the court at Spike Lee (below left), as we finished the season, quickly losing in Round 1.
This year we had our lovely new seats. Same seating assignments, Hillary and I would chat, and cheer; while Mike and Blair stared at the court, not talking. Well that is when Blair wasn’t recording (above right). It became a thing, Hillary and I noticing him recording. We think it was always the same parts in the game and wonder to ourselves, “what is he going to do with all of this footage?!”. Who knows, but he is happy!
While the novelty of double dates and exploring wore off this year, we often had more fun witnessing Mike freaking out about getting to the deck in time. I think I can speak for us all in saying that we definitely felt even more a part of it all. Being that close was awesome, but it was also fun giving a nod to the guy on the stairs and he smiled at us as he checked other people’s tickets, and our favorite beer guy Keith stopping by at the end of the 1st and 3rd quarters and hearing about his life. And I really cared, I do really care. I’ve learned the game, and our team. And it’s fun as hell to watch players move up, and get playing time, way to go, Pete! And to celebrate with an entire arena when Max Strus hit the half court buzzer beater! And to learn nonsense trivia about the players on the jumbotron! And to feel the warmth of the flames! And to watch Cassie’s graphics go across the LED screens throughout the arena, and on people’s backs! And to watch Hillary flail about trying to catch a lotto parachute! And weird appearances by Abraham Lincoln! And watching tears of joy stream down Blair’s face, multiple times! And watching Moondog hump the court! And to watch my non-romantic friend Mike, put his arm around his wife every game, because we were all just so fucking happy!
Thank you, CAVS!