Married to a 12th Man

Adam & his sister, Ashley, at the Seahawk v. Saints game

Adam is a huge Seattle sports fan and was beyond thrilled to watch Marshawn Lynch run 67 yards to score a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints this past weekend in Quest Field.  The fact that I 1) know who Marshawn Lynch is, 2) know that running 67 yards to score a touchdown is a big deal, and 3) watched it happen on TV at home and cheered while he was doing it says A LOT about how far our relationship has come.  And by "our relationship" I mean "my relationship with the Seattle Seahawks."  It's no secret that the subject of football (and sports in general) is a contentious one in our household.  You see, when Adam and I were dating I knew he liked the Mariners and the Seahawks, but I don't recall ever having to endure so many endless conversations about who got traded where and how the defense is looking good this year.  With the exception of the 2006 Superbowl and the few t-shirts and baseball caps that Adam had, I didn't really feel like the Seahawks were part of our dating relationship.  But upon being married, we have spent three football seasons (and occasionally a portion of baseball season) negotiating the number of games that were appropriate for Adam to attend.  He would gently bring it up, and I would shoot it down.  Then he'd bring it up again, and I would shoot it down again.  He'd get excited texting with his buddies the latest sports news, and I would roll my eyes.  Watching two grown men talk about Ken Griffey Jr's comeback to the Mariners was like watching two women enthuse about the latest Louis Vuitton purse.  I was dumbfounded.

I am not a sports fan.  There.  I said it.  Some women are, and sometimes I wish I was one of those women.  But me?  I'd rather be getting a mani-pedi and watching a musical.  But my good friend Grace once shared some wonderful words of wisdom for me when I vented my jealousies about the Seahawks: "You can win the battle, but you can't win the war."  *Sigh*  She was right.  Yes, Adam would give in and go to the Container Store with me on a Sunday afternoon instead of going to the Seahawks bar in Culver City when our arguments ended up with me throwing a tantrum and declaring that he loved his team more than he loved me.  But the next Sunday would come around and we'd be at square one again.  So this year I caved.  Well, I like to think of it as compromising.  I waived my white flag (with a giant blue and lime green 12 on it) and ordered the NFL Sunday Ticket and watched every single football game with him.  I learned the rules, found players I liked, and continued to giggle like I was 12 every time the sportscaster would say something remotely dirty sounding.  I go to games with the promise of an endless supply of hot dogs and popcorn and good seats.  I own many a Seahawks and Mariners sweatshirt and our pugs even have sports gear.  While I wouldn't say I'm a football fan or sports fan by any means (I can only watch games where Seattle is playing), I realize that sports is more than just beer and cheering for Adam.  It's an experience he got to share with his father when he was young, and that means a lot to him.  And what means even more is that he'll get to share the experience with our children.

So I'm happy to say that this is what our marriage is about: give and take.  And I am especially excited for when we get to apply it to the many musicals I have lined up for us to watch!  I think I'll even get him a sweatshirt with RENT on it.  Or better yet, Mama Mia!