Last week I took a road trip with my boys. We went to Miami to see the Patriots play the Dolphins.
When we first thought of this trip, back when the NFL announced the 2025 schedule, I was skeptical about spending the money. That’s when my wife, Priscilla, said, “It’s always been on your bucket list. Do it!” Not to mention it was much cheaper than going to Gillette Stadium. We just had to book flights and find a hotel.
I don’t have a physical bucket list.
Nothing is written down anywhere.
I’ve always wondered about those bucket lists. What happens if you’re fortunate enough to check off the last item on your list? “Well that’s everything. I guess it’s time to meet my maker!” I just have some things I’ve always wanted to do and seeing a Miami Dolphin home game was one of them.
For those that don’t know, (I feel like I’ve told this story a million times. My apologies if you’ve heard it before.) I am a Miami Dolphin fan. Have been for decades. I was born in New England but when I first became a football fan I was 11 years old. The Patriots were horrible. I mean… horrible. The team record was 3-11. They weren’t even on TV every week. Only the road games. They couldn’t sell out at home. It was 1972 and the Dolphins were having the Perfect Season. They were on television every week. The team had flashy colors. They had colorful players like Larry Csonka and Jim Kiick. And 11-year-old Petey liked seeing cheerleaders in December without 14 layers of clothing on. I became a fan and I’ve stayed a fan in spite of a few lean years. Okay, maybe not a “few” lean years…several…multiple. I came close to giving it up a few years ago but my son made me realize that if they turn it around and become good again, would I jump back on the bandwagon? So once a fan, always a fan.
When I first thought about this trip it was just me and my son Matt. Then I thought, “Hey! I wonder if your brother would want to go?” We checked and he was all for it.
We made our plans: Matt and I would fly from Providence and Doug would fly from Virginia Beach. The flight went into Fort Lauderdale because that was closer to the stadium. The plan was that we would meet up at the hotel since the flights were about an hour apart.
Wouldn’t you know it, our flight was delayed. We ended up getting to the hotel around 11 p.m. but Doug said he would wait up for us.
Doug brought a couple beers to our room and it was great to catch up. We don’t have a chance to spend nearly as much time with Doug as I would like. He’s in the Navy in Virginia Beach and is scheduled to deploy next spring so they are busy doing work-ups. On top of this, it is “Chief Season” where all the new Chief-selects have a number of things to do and, with him being a Senior Chief, he is often running these things. To be honest, he probably didn’t have time for this trip but he made it happen and I truly do appreciate it. As it is, he had to fly back to Virginia Beach right after the game.
So yeah, we were just chilling in the room talking about things when I looked at my watch and said, “Guys! It’s almost 2 a.m.! I gotta go to bed!” We were going to meet for breakfast at 8 a.m. and then head for the stadium. A friend of mine said this week, “We don’t bounce back the way we used to.” I’m not sure I ever did.
Game Day was so cool!
We got a lot of looks at breakfast with me in my Miami jersey, Matt and Doug in their Patriots jerseys. One woman said, “Talk about a house divided.” We met a woman just off the elevator who said, ”Go Pats!” It turns out she was on the flight crew on the Patriots plane.
My wife will tell you about how I wasn’t happy when the kids grew up, flew the nest and started their own lives. I missed the old days when we were all under one roof and I felt like they needed me to do things for them. I must say, I am so proud of how all of my children turned out and the fact that they are old enough to order the Uber, navigate the trip to the stadium and find our seats is, not gonna lie, pretty sweet. And the fact that they don’t seem to mind dad’s slow pace and the need to rest every now and then is greatly appreciated.
It was so cool to be there. I texted a friend who is a Dolphin fan here in the northeast and said, “It’s so nice not to be in hostile territory.” I got my picture taken in front of the Don Shula statue.
Larry Csonka’s name and number was up in the Ring of Fame along with Bob Griese and Dan Marino. There was aqua and orange everywhere! I’ve been to two or three Dolphins/Patriots games in Foxboro and the last time I was there I was afraid to take my coat off and show my Miami jersey. I thought for sure I would be wearing a beer by halfway through the first quarter.
We were really just hoping for a good game. Neither team had a spectacular opening week the week before so it was anyone’s guess as to who the winner would be. I’m glad to say we got a good game. It went back-and-forth a few times. The Dolphins ran back a punt return for a touchdown and the Patriots followed that up by running back the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown. (I think that’s the first time I’ve ever used the word “ensuing.”)
When the game ended the Patriots had won. I was just shaking my head with other Dolphin fans while the Patriot fans near us were high-fiving my boys. There were a lot of New England fans in that stadium. The boys never did have to worry about flying beer.
Doug flew out that night. Matt and I headed home the next morning. Doug wants to make this a yearly tradition. Next year we’ll go to Foxboro, the year after that, Miami. I hope we do.
Yes we had to pay for flights, hotel, game tickets and food. But last weekend? Priceless.
Today I fly to Texas with my wife, daughter Kat and grandson Carson. We’re spending some time with my oldest daughter, Sarah, her husband and my grandson Liam. Last week it was time with the boys. This next week, time with the girls.
I truly am a blessed man.
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