It's the most wonderful time of the year

I love watching his face as we approach the entrance. His eyes light up with the innocence of a child. He gets anxious, squeezes my hand and nudges me in the right direction (as if it's not obvious). We await the beep of the ticket scanner that welcomes us in. He stops for a brief moment and takes deep breath, taking in the sights and sounds that are Allen Fieldhouse. A new season has begun. With it brings the hope and promise of a clean slate. I can almost see the video of Bill and the boys cutting down the nets that's playing in his head.

Just like Dan, I'm addicted to KU Basketball. Sports fans are like no other people. They possess within them the optimism to believe that anything is possible, that they can beat the odds, that they will emerge the victors. They live and die by their teams, will share some of the most exhilarating moments of their lives with them and suffer the heartbreak of loss right along with the athletes. As Dan and I stood awaiting the tip-off of the Jayhawks opening game, I thought about why I love Jayhawk basketball so much.

When my brother left for KU, I was left an only child and KU game night was the ultimate bonding experience for me and my Dad. He taught me about the game and schooled me on the greats. When it was my turn, I followed my brother and sister to attend KU. There Ryan took me under his wing and showed me how to appropriately clap to the fight song and belt out the alma mater as you throw your arms around strangers. I have many fond memories of waiting in the snow with my sorority sisters for the doors to open and partying on Mass Street after a big jayhawk win. Dan and I cried together over the loss of Roy and kept in constant contact for "replacement updates" and remember the first time Dan uttered the name Bill Self. We shared our love of the jayhawks and ultimately, it was them that brought us back together again.

When Dan called me to tell me he would be attending Late Night in 2003, I had no idea how my life was changing. KU was trying to break a record for the most kissing couples in a venue, so Dan explained we had to do it for our hawks. A year later as I stood at center court, Dan knelt before me and asked me to be his wife. Two years later, Baby Jay escorted us as we were announced as Mr. and Mrs. Barker at our wedding reception. In 2007, we celebrated a win at the Orange Bowl in Miami arm in arm with the Barker family and that next spring, jumped up and down with my parents as Mario's shot went in and we clenched the National Title in San Antonio. For me, this isn't just a game, it's the chapters of my life unfolding with the ones I love most.

Now, here I was, standing with my arm around my Dan singing the alma mater just as we have many times before, only this time, our son was with us for the first of many jayhawk memories.

I couldn't help but say a quick prayer, "Dear God, please let Hudson be a sports fan.." I corrected myself, "a jayhawk fan."