The college football world and greater sports world awoke Sunday to the surprising news of the death of Jasper Howard, a starting defensive back on the Connecticut football team.  It has been quite heartening to see everyone rally around the UConn team and offer their support.  We sometimes get too wrapped up in a game and it’s outcome (I know I used to), but events like this remind us of the things that really matter in the big picture.

I’m also heartened to see the overall compassion coming from Mountaineer Nation, set to host the Huskies this Saturday.  We have a fan base whose overall impression is, um, less than stellar nationally, but this week has been filled with stories, posts, and thoughts about honoring Howard and the grief stricken team.  There will be a moment of silence, pregame embraces, and helmet decals aplenty.  I’m reading stories of students selling #6 armbands and sending the proceeds to Howard’s family, the Rubber U vendors donating proceeds, individuals making their own armbands, and I’m sure there’s much I’m missing.

Here’s hoping for a good and safe game Saturday, one to help take the Huskies minds off the tragedy of this weekend and escape to a different world for a few hours.

Whether the Devil May Care or not, it’s The Last Call for Love for one of our favorite restaurants.  I had never heard of the place before, but both Jen and my co-workers knew of it, and They Say It’s Wonderful.  I finally had a meal there and fell in Crazy Love with the place.  It quickly turned into our place whenever we were looking for Some Enchanted Evening, to the point that we had a Sentimental Baby shower there.  Come Rain or Come Shine, the food was always great and the portions excellent.  Located on Morehead St. East of the Sun, it was an easy place for us to reach The Second Time Around and beyond.  Unfortunately, as we became Strangers In The Night something changed and it became the Same Old Saturday Night that others could get elsewhere.  So last Friday, there was nothing left to say but It’s Over, It’s Over, It’s Over.  Even though The Sun Goes Down on our quaint little establishment at least the owners can look around and say I Did It My Way.

Our biggest regret is that We Just Couldn’t Say Goodbye in time.

It is generally accepted between Jennifer and I that we became aware of each other around this time of October back in 1994 – 15 years ago.  Since that time we’ve been on the highest of highs and the lowest of lows together.  As the vows say, through thick and through thin.

I haven’t always been the easiest person to be around, but Jen has been my advocate, my supporter, my fan, and my friend.  She has seen me at my best and she has seen me at my worst.  She has encouraged me, kicked my butt, cheered me, and jeered me when each was appropriate.  Despite me being the problem child I was, we married 12 years ago, had children 7 and 4 years ago, moved multiple times, and are back home together where we want to be.

Over time, with her help, I have worked harder to become the man, husband, and father I should be.  She has been through the hardest working times with me, so as I’m finally beginning to see real changes in myself it is only fair that she is here to benefit from the payoff.  I hope never to be the person I used to be, and I want her to share in nothing more than the man I’m supposed to be.  She’s earned it for putting up with me all this time.