As a young boy, then teenager, then young adult I had parents that didn’t really spend time with me – I mean, real time, real connection. I think it had to do more with the fact that Baby Boomers weren’t raised in a way to put priority on children the way things have evolved to today. Don’t get me wrong, in my parents own way they provided a good life, good coaching and mentoring, but the focus was exactly that, parent, not mutually experience life. I will be the first to agree with many, parenting today in many cases have crossed the line into overprotection but there is a middle and this is what this story is about for me and my two sons.
As a father of two children I was searching for a “thing” that could create continuous excitement, memories and frankly an opportunity to capture growth year over year. I went around and around on the “what” and then finally landed. What this has become is a journey for the three of us. In some ways the same agenda with a new experience, opportunity to enjoy each other, learn from new surroundings, understand there is a large world amongst us and to forever look forward. Memories are great, but to have something that in some way that is perpetual and can create reflection and future excitement, well for me this was the “win-win”!
So what was this idea? 32 NFL Stadiums in 32 Years!(Maybe quicker as I will be getting old – LOL!) To be honest, starting when my sons were 5 and 7, I had no idea if it would stick, be of interest, I just didn’t know. But the NFL is like a destination in many ways. For the most part, major cities across the US, huge cities and smaller cities. The stadiums are truly works of art in many cases. The people and diversity is amazing. Frankly the NFL has created something that is truly a stage. But the game to be honest is only part of the story. Not knowing anything, it is as much about new experiences, hotel room movies, new food, new museums, new experiences like UBER rides – of course the game is the highlight in many ways but the build up to the game, the events prior round out this journey in ways I could of never imagined when waking up some random day and proclaiming this was going to become our “thing”.
Lastly, to the boys – thank you! What this has given me, well words will never explain.
A journey for a Father and his two sons... 