Very cool moment

Submitted by coachdad on

My 12-year old son's birthday was this weekend and I experienced one of the coolest moments with him. We are avid UM fans who live in Tennessee. We have been to see UM play at Illinois, but have never been to the Big House. I bought us tickets for the Indiana game in Noveber. My wife came up with the idea to have him open four separate envelopes that read as follows:

1. Roses are red

2. Violets are blue

3. MJ's going to the Big House

4. And so are you!!!

His reaction was absolutely priceless and brought him and the rest of us to tears. The best part of the story is that my son, my dad, and I are all going to the game together. My dad and I have watched Michigan games together our whole lives but have never been to a game together. One of the coolest moments i have ever experienced. GO BLUE!!!!

MGoBoard

His Dudeness

August 29th, 2016 at 2:55 PM ^

I'm an A guy espeically being that I live in the south.

This is different though! And that's my point.  

I want to point out that social media has created an environment where people think other people want to hear stories about thier kids. They don't. Nobody does save maybe grandma and grandpa and even then it probably gets a little annoying.

Other things people don't want to hear about: your crossfit, your weight loss goals, your "crew" or your "squad", your dog JESUS CHRIST your fucking dog, your vacation, your last meal, the meal you're cooking now, your new kicks, your DIY project, your latest awful hair style choice...

I guess I just mean to say that it's game week. Go do whatever it is that you do with the people you do it with, but for gods sakes man... and I mean this not as a put down or what ever the fuck anybody wants to call it, but for gods sake nobody cares.

I hope the OPs kid enjoys the game, his life, everything. I'm an asshole. I should never have commented on this whole thing. It's just that nobody cares.

 

Joined: 11/24/2008

MGoPoints: -973290

MGoStretch

August 29th, 2016 at 3:23 PM ^

Cool, glad to hear that.  I think your last two sentences are a nearly perfect summary. I agree you could've just ignored the thread entirely and been better off for it.  I think your vehement insistence that "nobody cares" in the face of nearly a hundred upvotes for the OP, over a hundred posts on the thread eliciting similar, heartfelt stories, basic human emotions, etc.. could better be described as "I don't care".  In which case, that's all the more reason to have ignored the thread.

Joined: 03/20/2015

MGoPoints: 8630

Hab

August 29th, 2016 at 3:40 PM ^

Actually, I would be interested.  I apolgize for the quick snark in the last post.  I tried to edit it to put a response that is actually a bit more thoughtful, but your reply got in before I could finish it.  I tend to agree that people go way overboard with the stuff they put on social media.  Part of that is attention seeking behavior on the part of the poster, part of that is social media trying to bring in money by pushing people's silliness to others for whom it probably wasn't intended. 

I can think of a host of people who agree with you.  In fact, when I first posted, I expected this thread, which could absolutely be considered a feelings, snowflake thread, to go down in a blaze of downvotes and fire like the one before it.  Something in the OPs story hit a nerve with folk, gave them all the good feels and there you have it.  Can't control that stuff, but at least you can try and understand it, and give it room when others are taking it in a good direction?

Joined: 01/02/2015

MGoPoints: 39666

Mabel Pines

August 29th, 2016 at 4:36 PM ^

I hated all that "my kids are the greatest" crap on Facebook, so I just deactivated my account. Maybe you should get off social media? It helped me. As far as this thread goes, this is about as harmless as it gets, and you didn't have to click on it. Maybe you need a little break?? Either way, watch your blood pressure and stress level.

Joined: 10/02/2010

MGoPoints: 27568

kalamazoo

August 29th, 2016 at 12:58 PM ^

If you get creeped out by anyone telling you a story like this, just let them know,

"Apologies, I don't have the emotional part of me that can show interest in your story. I'm sure it is a good story, and I wish I could participate better. I've had this issue my whole life."

And, if you aren't addressed specifically, then there's not even a reason to respond.

Crisis averted.

Joined: 08/20/2010

MGoPoints: 2569

drjaws

August 29th, 2016 at 12:17 PM ^

shoot a 16-penny nail into his knee.  I told him not to kneel on the header to flush the ends because the wood has lots of knots.  He didn't listen.  Nail hit a knot, shot up, blew the corner of the header out and 1/2 way into his knee.

 

I laughed then took him to the hospital.

Joined: 02/26/2014

MGoPoints: 46778

lmgoblue1

August 29th, 2016 at 10:06 AM ^

I'll never forget my first trip to Michigan Stadium. I was 11 years old. 11 years later I graduated with a degree from the UM, my desire having been cemented that very first day. I hope the same for your son.

Joined: 10/27/2012

MGoPoints: 12403

FolkstyleCoach

August 29th, 2016 at 10:09 AM ^

As a fellow relatively new father with a son, that is as good as it gets man! I can't wait to do the same thing in a couple more years! Awesome!



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Joined: 04/05/2016

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LSAClassOf2000

August 29th, 2016 at 10:32 AM ^

Of course, it is Michigan in mid-November, so be sure to pack for May-like temperatures just in case too because the weather is that psychotic as you know (gametime temp for Michigan-OSU in 2011 was 64 degrees after all). Be prepared for both scenarios, sometimes within hours of one another (1995 Purdue game, for example, where we had all four seasons in the span of one game).

But awesome gift for your son, and well-presented too!

Joined: 01/07/2011

MGoPoints: 130636

Mote59

August 29th, 2016 at 10:39 AM ^

I am taking my niece and wife to the game this weekend.  They have never been to a game in Michigan Stadium and I haven't been for about 20 years.  I would love recommendations for cool things to do and see before and after the game.  I want their experience to be the best it can be.  Thanks for any information.

Joined: 06/20/2016

MGoPoints: 19

Blue in Yarmouth

August 29th, 2016 at 10:25 AM ^

someone would down vote this. A member of the board is sharing a special experience he had with his family centered around UM football and he gets four down votes. Come on!

OP, that is a great story. I got to go see my first game just last year for the OSU game after cheering for UM from Nova Scotia for the better part of 3 decades. It was a special moment and one I won't forget. My brother and I have decided to make it a yearly pilgrimage and are returning this year for the Maryland game (only one we both has weekends off for).

I hope you, your son and your father have a great time!

Joined: 02/18/2009

MGoPoints: 6527

The Mad Hatter

August 29th, 2016 at 10:26 AM ^

I'm itching to take my son, but he's only 4.  I'm thinking maybe 6?

My daughter (17) never wanted to go with me, despite more than a few offers.  Although I think I might drag her butt to a game this season as part of my "choose Michigan" college marketing plan.

Joined: 02/17/2015

MGoPoints: 112109

The Mad Hatter

August 29th, 2016 at 10:41 AM ^

I figure we'll make it to the half, at best.  Also, he likes to talk to people.  A lot.  Every single person he comes into contact with as a matter of fact.  That they may not want to talk to him about the Angry Birds or Star Wars is of no concern to him.  I could see some people getting annoyed with him pretty quickly at a game.

If I was younger I'd take him to the student section.  He's quite the ladies man already.

Joined: 02/17/2015

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WolvinLA2

August 29th, 2016 at 10:53 AM ^

I'm with you on that.  Partly because I don't live nearby, but I'm not spending money on tickets, hotel room and plane tickets to duck out in the third quarter, and I don't really think my son needs to be going to a game until he can stay until the end.  If I lived nearby and could grab cheap tickets to UCF or something, my opinion might change.  

As of last season, my 6 year old (who was then 5) couldn't sit through a whole game on TV, so until he does that, I don't think he's ready for the real thing.  I also want to make sure he appreciates it when we go, so I think waiting a year or two after he "could" do it is likely what we'll do.

Joined: 11/13/2009

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The Mad Hatter

August 29th, 2016 at 11:27 AM ^

I'll see how long he can sit through some games on TV this year and decide from there.

Then again I might just take the whole family to UCF and see if we can score some super cheap tickets just before or after kick-off.  If we can't, no big loss.  Spend the day walking around campus and getting lunch.  I don't live too far away though.

Joined: 02/17/2015

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WolvinLA2

August 29th, 2016 at 10:42 AM ^

My son is 6 and I think he's too young.  This doesn't mean all 6 year olds are, but I know there's no way my son will sit through a 3 and a half hour football game right now.  He doesn't have the attention span (or the baldder size) for it to be enjoyable for either of us.

I took him to a MIchigan basketball game last winter and that went OK.  Still lots of getting up and a decent amount of antsy-ness, but we made it though OK.  But that was short of 2 hours, a football game being nearly double that.  

Personally, I'm thinking 8 or 9.  I don't want to rush his first experience, I want him to remember it fondly (and for me to do the same).

Joined: 11/13/2009

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uferfan

August 29th, 2016 at 10:42 AM ^

My daughters are 10, 8 and 5. I've taken my oldest every year to a game since she was 5. I took all three to different games last year (my youngest went to her first with the Oregon St. game last year), and I'll be taking them each to a game this year.  

They all treat the experience differently. My oldest likes tailgating and will usually hold interest through three quarters. My middle daughter won't leave until the game is completely over; even if it's a blowout and I might be ready. My youngest one seems the least interested. She does enjoy the hot chocolate at the concession stand, though.

Joined: 02/04/2015

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lilpenny1316

August 29th, 2016 at 10:46 AM ^

I know it's not the same as an official game, but it was a nice way to slowly break them in.  I don't know how things would've turned out if there wasn't a guy on the field named Butt.  They cheered for Butt's team to get a steak dinner. 

I think 6 is a good age if you can mix in a walk on campus and stop at the Museum of Natural History.

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