There's a spirit can ne'er be told.

It's the spirit of Aggieland. 

I don't claim to be the proudest member of the Aggie Alum. (Even though we are supposed to say that when we give our year. And it looks that way at our wedding.)  I mean, I DO love the Aggies. What kind of Aggie grad would I be if I didn't love them? But there are a lot of other things in my life that are just far more important.

But I will say that there's something about this time of year that makes me love the Aggies a little more than I do the rest of the year. I think there's something about living in a college town that gets you a little fired up when football season starts. There's something in the air.

A newness.

A hope.

A chance that maybe this will finally be the year. The restaurants and local businesses fly their flags. People start whooping in churches instead of saying Amen. There's just something different.

Today is the first game. We've already hit up the tent sales...twice...to get some new duds for the season. I'm excited about my cute grey and pink girly Aggie shirt. I have enough maroon to last a lifetime so I thought it was time for a change. See, I'm not the proudest member. Some people out there think its a crime to wear anything but maroon to a game.

So at 6pm tonight we'll be on the 3rd row of the Zone. In an armchair seat. I halfway think this could be the reason I'm excited about the game. An armchair seat. No one squeezing me out of my seat. And it has a back. I don't think I'll ever be able to go to a game and be content sitting anywhere else. I think it will be hard not to get into the action when you're that close. When the Ags score we'll be able to high five them...if only they'd come over there. Our pastor's son, Garrett, is on the opposing team (SFA) today. I told him that he was allowed to score a touchdown, do a dance, and find us and say it was for me.

I hope that if we lived in a different town where the world didn't revolve around my alma mater that I'd still have excitement when the season started. Even if you don't like football, you can't help but love your team. When I see my grandfather and his undying love for the Gators, I see Matt in 50 years. That will be him. Decked out in his A&M wind suit. Willing to talk about his team 24/7 year round. Sometimes more than others want to hear. But with a deep rooted love that only Christ and his family can beat out.

Does anyone else get a little excited as football season starts? My enthusiasm usually fades about mid season when things aren't turning out the way we all anticipated at the beginning of the season. But maybe this year will be different. Just maybe...

*Please note that although I love the start of the season, I do NOT like the enormous amounts of traffic, the long lines at restaurants, and the inability to live like a normal person in my town. No shopping. No eating out. No going ANYWHERE on game day except to the game. And you're lucky if you make it there alive and find somewhere to park without being towed. Its crazy how your opinions of these things change when you are out of college. As a student, its just part of life. As an adult, its just a nuisance.