The ball is snapped. The quarterback hands off to the running back. He runs, untouched, as fast as he can towards the endzone. He escapes a tackler. He gets tripped up but he stays on his feet. He’s at the 10…the 5….the 2….the 1…TOUCHDOWN! The player you’ve spent years getting to know, just scored a touchdown. He celebrates with his friends..but you know, it means more.
You’ve known this player for years. You know his likes and dislikes without even talking to him. You feel like he is your son…even if he will never know. You beg your husband to bring him over for dinner, to introduce you after a game, and to give him endless amounts of candy. You feel like you know him fully, but you’ve never said a word.
That touchdown meant more to him than any letter you could write and anything you could say. You will never know the emotions that went through him but you feel those with him. That feeling in your stomach. The flutter of your heart. But, his feelings are amplified. He feels invincible.
The hours you’ve listened to your husband, the hours spent watching games and film, the seconds you’ve spent watching him pass by you have all come down to this moment- watching him celebrate with his teammates-his friends. You feel proud, like a mom, but you’re not blood related. You’re related by football. He’s your football son.
Whether he has a solid family or not, you feel as though he is yours. Every day, coach comes home and one of your first questions is “How was ______today?” Your life is now invested in this player. You will never forget him. He made a difference in not only your husband but you as well.
Your life is better with him in it. He makes you feel all of those “mama” emotions without actually being his “mama”. You will never forget him. You will always love him. Because, you knew the touchdown meant more. It means more than 6 points. It means his entire life. It means his confidence. It means his future. And, it means he feels fulfilled.
You are fulfilled because you got to witness it. You are on the front lines. He may not know it, but he has your heart forever. And, truly that is one of the best feelings in the world. Life is better with him in it.
