Breaking From Tradition

Happy Solid Orange Friday!

For the first time in thirteen seasons, I won't be at the annual rivalry game between Clemson and South Carolina.

I've been to twelve straight games in the series and throughout the twelve years, I've seen an even split of wins between the two teams. Patrick and I have been to the nine games together {and our relationship has survived all nine!} and it's going to be weird to watch the game on TV this year. We're so used to spending the Saturday after Thanksgiving tailgating with our friends before watching our teams square off against one another.

Let's take a quick trip down memory lane...

2006: Freshman year of college
{USC win}



2007: Sophomore year of college & first game in a really long time at USC. Also the coldest game I had ever in my life been to.
{Clemson Win}



2008: Junior year of college & the most miserable game I had ever been to. It was so cold and was sleeting during most of the game. Our Interim Head Coach {Dabo} beat USC's HOF Coach {Spurrier} and it was awesome. Patrick actually attended this game to and at the conclusion, swore that he was never attending another Clemson game again {little did he know!}
{Clemson Win}



2009: Senior year of college and our first rivalry game.
{USC Win}



2010: Year 2 of our rivalry relationship.
{USC Win}



2011: Year 3 of our rivalry relationship. This was a long day of tailgating that culminated in walking down railroad tracks, cutting through an abandoned warehouse, and me falling down a set of stairs.
{USC Win}



2012: Year 4 of our rivalry relationship. The tailgate was exceptionally fun, but the outcome of the game? Not so much. USC notched win #4 in a row.
{USC Win}

2013: Year 5 of rivalry relationship. It was the year of the Chicken Bog, being picked up and dropped, and another Clemson defeat.
{USC Win}



2014: Year 6 of our rivalry relationship and at least the 4th year in a row of Patrick and his Gamecock flannel and the FIRST TIME that Clemson won while we were dating! It was the beginning of excellent things to come.
{Clemson Win}



2015: Year 7 of our rivalry relationship. Hands down the warmest Clemson/Carolina game to date - we were all rocking short sleeves rather than scarves, coats, and hats.
{Clemson Win}



2016: Year 8 of our rivalry relationship. It was our first married game and one of the best Clemson/Carolina weekends. We had rented a house just outside of Clemson with a group of friends and spent the whole weekend together.
{Clemson Win}



2017: Year 9 of our rivalry relationship and another Clemson win! I also absolutely froze during this tailgate because I accidentally forgot to pack a pair of leggings for when it got cooler after the sun went down.
{Clemson Win}

The irony of having a Clemson / Carolina weekend due date was not lost on us when we found out that we were expecting baby girl. It's only appropriate for two people who built their relationship during football season, who have season ticket's to both Clemson and Carolina, and for two people who have always been distinctly Clemson and distinctly Carolina.

Our friends know us well, too.

They've already prepared baby girl for next football season!

It's just weird to think that we might be watching the game this year in the hospital if she decides to come this weekend. I know that she's going to come when she decides to come, but it would be truly appropriate for her to show up just before kick off. But, just as likely, we could be watching the game from our living room tomorrow night as we hang out waiting on her grand debut.

There are very few reasons why I would ever miss a Clemson / Carolina game. This little girl is at least a very good reason to miss it!

GO TIGERS! Beat USC!