Super Bowl Sunday

It's time to address the tragedy set to occur on Sunday, as well as how I plan to make the most of it. As some of you may have heard, I won't be in front of my big TV watching the Super Bowl with any of you. No, I'll be in Nashville. For work. On Super Bowl Sunday. Let that sink in for a minute. Your friend Stephanie, the one who thinks that Super Bowl Sunday should be a national holiday, with the Monday after being Super Bowl Sunday (Observed), the one whose three-year-old can recognize teams by their helmets, the one whose formerly-non-football-loving husband just won a fantasy football league, will be celebrating Super Bowl Sunday in a hotel ballroom with a bunch of "Development Professionals." Including my boss, and her boss. (That's actually not so bad- they're my two favorite co-workers. But it sounds dramatic so I thought I'd throw it in there.)

I'm sure you're thinking that this isn't so bad. But that's because you aren't considering the following:

1. It's Chloe's first Super Bowl! Come on! I was there for her first Thanksgiving, her first Christmas, I've already made plans to spend the whole day with her on her first birthday- how can I miss this? In her baby book, there will be no pictures of her in football-related clothing next to Mom and some seven-layer dip. No special Super Bowl memories like her brother has. We'll never forget Connor's first Super Bowl- it featured a certain "wardrobe malfunction" that has changed our lives forever. Hey, speaking of halftime shows. . .

2. Prince! Is performing! At halftime! And he won't have my undivided attention, because I will be busy mingling- nay, networking- with a whole host of "Development Professionals," none of whom will want to see me dance and sing.

I'm relying on Chip to make sure that Chloe understands the experience and to record halftime so that I can watch it repeatedly when I get home. And he's generally pretty reliable, as long as I remind him several times of what I'm relying on him to do. Since he's been hearing about this one for a while, I think I can trust him.

I mentioned that I'll be making the most of this. How? By adding something to my Super Bowl Sunday experience that I am usually unable to do: shopping at the Opry Mills outlet mall. So three of my top ten favorite things will be covered in some form or another: football, Prince, and shopping. It's not ideal, but it'll have to do. So when you're watching the game Sunday, think of me. And maybe call Chip to remind him that it's on. Next year? Party at my house- see you there!