Because it’s a Thursday night game, my wife and I couldn’t find anyone that was willing to babysit on a school night. My wife - a big BYU football fan herself - expressed that I could take my oldest son (almost 9 yrs old) who is also a big BYU fan, and loves going to the games. She would stay behind, put the two younger boys to bed (6 and 18 mos.) and watch the game at home.

Then a thought came to my mind that I hadn’t considered previously. What if she and my son went to the game? I thought back to the times when I was that old and the few occasions when my mom took me to the game, instead of my dad who usually would be the one to take me. While I enjoyed those times with my dad, there were only two or three games I went to ever with my mom… and I loved it so dearly. Full disclosure: my mom passed away when I was 15, so I consider the time I had with her in this life to be both finite and precious.

So, with this in mind, I asked my HCBW what she thought about taking our boy to the game instead of me? I tried to make the best case for her to go, but she obviously felt guilty knowing how much I love going to the games, especially when there’s a chance to see BYU beat Utah. She and I were there in 2009 when Max Hall threw it over the middle with double coverage Andrew George in OT to win, so she’s been by my side when we’ve beat Utah. But our son has never seen BYU win the Holy War. For me, I remember being there for the times we beat Utah and those were sweet times. So the thought of giving my wife and son a chance to enjoy seeing a win against Utah together is too good to pass up. Another (admittedly somewhat selfish) way to look at it, is the more they go to the games together, the easier it will be in years to come to keep renewing our season tickets as a family. Win Win.

Ultimately we agreed that we would let our son choose who would take him to the game (he didn't even know he'd be going), and that would honor his choice and not try to sway him one way or the other. We put the other to kiddos to bed, and kept him up for a little bit until we could have some quiet time to talk to him about it. He was overjoyed at being given the tickets. When presented with the option, without skipping a beat he chose my wife to take him. Surprised the heck out of my wife. Me? I'm just proud of him that he wants to make BYU football memories not just with me, but with his mom. He'll remember moments like those forever.

So cheer loud and make my wife son’s ears ring until the late hours of the night! When we beat Utah, they’ll. Never. Forget. It.

#beatutah #gocougs