War Eagle!!!

Anyone who knows me knows that I've been an Auburn fan since I was 4 years old. That's when I first got introduced to Auburn/Opelika. My family, though moving around the world, has returned to that precious place for summers and holidays throughout my childhood. It remained constant when the rest of the world changed.

Thirty years later, and I'm still going back there when I can.

This past weekend, I went down for a quick trip, and had a fantastic time.

First, Mom and I went to Cock of the Walk. Even though the website only lists their locations in Mississippi and Tennessee, there's one in Opelika, AL as well. And if you want a heart attack on a tin plate, Cock of the Walk is the place for you. Fried dill pickles, fried shrimp, fried oysters, fried catfish, hushpuppies, awesome slaw, mustard greens (to keep it "healthy") and cheese grits, and all washed down with sweet tea from a tin mug to keep it as cold as possible, is about as southern eating as you can get. And bless my (clogged artery) heart, it's so good.

Saturday, we met up with Master Yoda and Princess Leah to wander through all the thousands of people tailgating in Auburn. Alabama was playing Arkansas in the afternoon, and suddenly Arkansas had about 85,000 extra fans than normal. The only way Saturday could have been a better day was if Arkansas could have pulled off that win they almost had over Bama. Oh well.

Then...it was off to Jordan-Hare Stadium to cheer on the Auburn Tigers. (In case you're wondering what's the big deal about Jordan-Hare Stadium, "regularly makes lists of the best gameday atmospheres and most intimidating places to play.") What an awesome night!!! 87,237 people in the stadium, almost all of them dressed in orange and screaming the War Eagle! (Pictures to come, as soon as Princess Leah sends them to me). A beautiful sunset started off the great night, the temperature was perfect, and a cool breeze was blowing.

We were sitting in the Letterman section, which is just to the east and above the student section. It's where the former football players and their families get to sit. Princess Leah's granddad was on the team to win Auburn's only national championship, in 1955, and he gave us some of their tickets. So, Mr and Nana Champion, Princess Leah's parents, Master Yoda, Princess Leah, Mom and I got a great eagle's eye view of the field for an awesome game.

I'd never sat so close to the student section before. When there was cheering, especially for defense, it was louder than anything I'd ever heard! I was yelling at the very top of my lungs, and couldn't even hear myself, the students were screaming so loud!!! It felt like my brain was rattling inside my head. There is truly nothing like being surrounded by 85,000+ people dressed in orange, yelling WAR EAGLE!!!

Top it off that it was a great game and we won.

Top that off that as we said goodbye, Princess Leah asked me to be a bridesmaid. Because if you didn't know, she and Master Yoda are getting married. YAY.

And if the weekend couldn't get any better than that...Mom and I went to Church at the Brook Hills on the way back home to Huntsville on Sunday, and got some good preaching. I just couldn't have asked for a better weekend. Blissful.