Naming a post can be the inspiration for the word flow or the most challenging part of the exercise in sharing sentiments from life on Newark-Granville Road.
I've had a few ideas for this one, the first being..."Confessions of a repressed Nittany Lion fan". Tapping the Happy feels bettter. Allow me to unpack and share...
First- we spent the weekend in Happy Valley! What a treat to be invited to attend the OSU v PSU football game. Dear dear friends the Kranichs reached out and we made the decision to say yes. The weekend wasn't ideal, we'd miss a festive and important Granville/Denison weekend- BRW. Then we found out Clare was coming home on Saturday evening, but we've always said when great tickets are offered and you want to go...you say yes! Joe had never attended a game in Beaver Stadium and it has been on our list of things to share.
Me, well this was my first college football experince. We moved to Altoona, PA my junior year in high school. It felt like moving to the moon at the time and was quite a disruption. However the people, and expereinces, many orchestrated by my mother, made a lasting impression with lasting relationships. I was very fortunate and I know it. I remember joining the love of the Nittany, one was attending a Temple/PSU game with Chris, the boyfriend I met at the lake, summer job..the boyfriend that extended through senior year with a long distance relationship...so it probably was 1989 when I first felt the energy of Happy Valley. I remember returning in the 90s visiting from Michigan for the unbelievable snow bowl- the flight was part of the fun. It became what I compared every college game day experience- Nebraska- Lincoln and away games, OSU...even Notre Dame...all great in their own way...but your first is special!
We love State College, not just for the game day antics, but also the shopping, restraurants and friends. My father designed a hotel there- The Atherton- it is now a Graduate! Joe bought my engagement ring at Kranichs and continues to be a repeat customer. It was quite the place we'd go as teens wanting the college trends! This return visit was one for the history books and deserves the post and truly made me happy.
Being hosted in someone's home is a marvelous treat. Sharing it with family all the better! Matthew was with us, just as he should have been. Matthew and I naviaged our high school transition together and it was his class that welcomed me and our group was pretty special. Yes, we reflected on many happy gatherings with those folks over dinner on Saturday night. Ashley and Charles made us so at home and we're grateful for the care and hospitality. Being in their home having everything orchestrated wiht such excellence made for a very happy weekend!
The game itself was one that didn't go the way I wanted, we wanted (okay although Joe was wearing blue as we were in the helmet stripe section that required it he was cheering for the Buckeyes)..the game kept our attention which is what you really want. Beaver Stadium is electric. The student section unrivaled in my mind, I was quite impressed. It made me happy to be there.
The tailgate- again- happy the waking up early, the perfect Mburg mug, the great people and introductions...we met a Granville neighbor...saw ESPN Gameday and FoxFootballNoon show sets, the perfect bloody mary with pickle juice- oh my- the tailgate breakfast items- oh my- stickies on a grill- the energy again, the simple happy energy. Stepping back to think about all over America people doing this on Saturdays...being happy and festive...it is purely American and it is fun and it made me happy.
After the game, although disappointed, we walked the campus, into town and gathered at another special restaurant and caught up and connected. A treat to be with the Kranich's daugther (one of the twins that shares a birthday with Peter) and another Camp Alleghany gril...the connections are never ending and it is why it is always good to be together.
We wrapped up the weekend driving home through Altoona, taking a drive by the house and the places that carved the end of highschool and shaped my launch. It was there I made the decision for Denison to be my home away from home and important relatinoships anchored the decisions and provided the support. I'm lucky, the reflection to my past, taps my happy.
Life on Newark-Granville Road, getting away gives perspective and I'm grateful for the invitation Charles and Ashley, the hospitality and the time, this weekend and all the memories that let us jump in and connect to tap the happy.
