I can't wait for the USA vs. Canada men's ice hockey final.
I'm eager to cheer on my country and see the best players in the world on the ice at the same time.
But being a sports fan is about more than that.
Sunday afternoon, I'm going to head back to Baltimore for the game. I'm heading over to my favorite bar and joining my brother, some of my best friends and family to watch the game.
And that's what it's all about: Being with the people I care about, and the memories I make that don't happen on the ice.
Like when the Baltimore Ravens won the Super Bowl and my brother and I drove around Baltimore County, honking the horn and joining the crowds outside.
Or chanting "M-V-P" the night the Capitals clinched the Southeast Division championship -- and a spot in the playoffs -- on the last game of the season two years ago. (For the record, I started that chant.)
Getting down to the MCI Center when the Capitals were in the Stanley Cup. The place was swarmed with Detroit Red Wings fans. I couldn't tell you much about the game, but I vividly remember my uncle yelling "You the man Barry" when we passed by Barry Melrose.
More than I remember what Alex Ovechkin did in his first game as a Capital, I remember watching it with my college roommate, who I don't see nearly as much as I should, in our crummy dormroom.
I saw Wrigley Field last summer with one of my best friends, who's working in Iraq right now. The game was fun, but the trip was about much more than that.
When I go to the Ravens' home games on Sundays, I look forward to the time at the firehouse across the street or at Pickles, where my uncles, my brother and I make jokes, make fun of each other and kick back a few.
I was too young to remember anything but bits and pieces of Baltimore Skipjacks' games. But I remember when I was there it was the four of us -- my parents, my brother and I.
The United States might get trounced Sunday. But I'm going to make sure I take the time to take in the moment; I think everyone else should do the same. My favorite teams are perennial losers, but I wouldn't trade the good times I've had with my friends enjoying all those losing seasons for a million Stanley Cups.
Life is full of a lot of great things. But really, nothing beats a tall Yuengling, being with the people you care about and a good game.
Matt, I could not agree with you more.My favorite moments from the sporting events we attend are never the events themselves.
When we were at the Cup Finals back in 1998 I do remember yelling "you the man Barry" to Melrose as he walked by.I also remember you asking Don Cherry for his autograph as he was having lunch at the restaurant inside MCI Center.
It would have been nice if Team USA could have won the Gold last sunday.But whether we won or lost,my favorite memories from that day will always be the laughs we had at the table.
Life is full of a lot of great things.The greatest for me is being at a sporting event with you and your brother.I live for those moments. LOVE,UNCLE MARK