Farewell, Vikings

On the way to church yesterday morning, I asked Amelie if she could say "Vikings." She immediately threw her arms up in a the signal for a touchdown! Then as a family we spent several miles all throwing up our arms and yelling, "Touchdown, Vikings!" I hoped that was a good omen for the big game that night.

That night we prepared to party. I even wore the Vikings shirt I got at a thrift shop that's all stretched out and doesn't fit properly. We celebrated with Jello and bacon nacho potato skins.

Like many Vikings fans, I hadn't dared hope we'd really make it this far. All season I kept waiting for them to throw it away with penalties and turnovers. (I know. That's a really bad confession of faith in a team!) But last night, there were actually several points during the game that Isaac and I looked at each other and said we actually might make it to the Super Bowl.

Of course, we all know what happened in the fourth quarter and overtime. I got the penalties and turnovers I had expected all season. Still, it was a pretty fun ride. Until next season, Vikings. We'll keep practicing our touchdown signals just for you.