How a Small “Why Not?” Turned Into a Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience

I Wasn’t Planning to Go to the Orange Bowl… Until I Was

My plans had me heading to Florida for New Year’s Eve but I had no real plans.
More like go somewhere warm, reflect on the past year, think about the next one, and just be.

No football game was in my plans.

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Then I’m standing at my gate in Minneapolis, waiting to board the flight to South Florida, and I run into a friend who happens to be on the same flight. Casually, like it’s no big deal, he mentions he’s going to the Orange Bowl.

That was it. Seed planted.

I thought about it for the rest of the day… slept on it… and woke up the next morning thinking Yep. I’m doing this.

A Little Context (If You’re Not a Football Person)

Growing up, college football on New Year’s Day was just there. We had one TV channel, the only thing on was college football. I remember thinking it was boring.

Somewhere along the way, I learned to love football and I know the exact moment it happened.

It was the Music City Miracle. I was home alone watching this game on TV because my husband liked football and I had started watching more of it. Well, there was a last-second kickoff return. A perfect lateral across the field. One unbelievable run to the end zone. I remember watching it unfold and thinking, Holy Crap! Now I get why people love this game!!

From that point on, football stopped being background noise and started feeling like anticipation, energy, and the kind of magic where anything can happen.

Years later, I found myself actually attending one of those moments…the Minnesota Miracle, when Minnesota beat the New Orleans Saints on a last-second catch no one saw coming. The first time in NFL history for a playoff game to end with a touchdown as time expired. The Vikings advanced to the NFC Championship game in Philly. (BTW…I said yes to that game, too. We won’t mention the results other than to say the Eagles Victory Song “Fly, Eagles, Fly” will forever be etched in my memory.)

Back to the Minnesota Miracle….I remember sitting there in US Bank Stadium afterward, not wanting to leave. People were hugging strangers, laughing, crying, just standing there trying to take it all in. It felt like if I moved, the moment might break.

*Final Score of the Minnesota Miracle January 14, 2018.*

That’s when I realized it wasn’t just about football. It was about the experience, the memories made!

So when I realized the Orange Bowl, a game that’s been around since 1935, was happening while I was already in South Florida, it didn’t feel random. It felt familiar. Like one of those moments you say yes to, because you’ve learned what can happen when you do.

So… why not?

Solo Travel + Game-Day Logistics (Part of the Fun)

Since I travel by myself a lot, I usually like having a plan especially for big events. But sometime you gotta just do it. For me parking matters. Knowing where I’m going to park once I get there takes some of the unknowns out of the equation.

Once I had parking figured out, I went ticket hunting. One of the perks of going solo? You can sometimes score great seats for a great price. Part of the fun for me is the hunt for the best seat at the best price. Mission accomplished.

In fact, the guys sitting next to me told me they paid twice what I did.
My seat was on the 33-yard line, 37 rows up, third seat in from the aisle.

Somewhere along the way, I realized this was my seventh NFL stadium, most for football, one for a concert, all for the experiences!

Game-Day Highlights (The Little Things)

Gotta tailgate a bit, right? My setup included a small cooler, a mini champagne bottle or two and OJ, (Morning Tailgate Mimosa is a must). Then I couldn’t get the cap off the darn champagne bottle but with a little help from my tailgating neighbors I was tailgate official. Community matters.

I didn’t have any team gear, so I wore my CHOOSE HAPPY sweater instead. Solid choice. I even got a couple of compliments. Spread that stuff whenever you can!!

Since no one is really the “home team” at a bowl game, I picked a side based on family ties and became an Oregon Ducks fan for the day taking on the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Oh, and the sun was shining on that side of the stadium. The warm feel of sunshine for a Minnesota girl in January is important!

One thing you don’t see at NFL games? The college bands. They were so fun to watch and listen to all game long.

Another unique experience was the grab-and-go concession stand. I scanned my credit card on the way in, grabbed a beer, and walked right out. No ID. No checkout. No staff. AND no idea how it really worked…but it was fun to try. Twice.

The Game (And the Bonus)

Before kickoff, there was a pre-game concert by Parmalee, which was a fun surprise. I wandered around the stadium, taking it all in… the music, the crowds, the buzz before settling into my seat.

*Parmalee with some pre-game entertainment!*

Between the concert, the energy of the fans, and the experience of being there, the day felt full before the game even started. The football was just one part of it and honestly, that’s what made it great.

The game itself was fun even if the score wasn’t exactly thrilling. The Red Raiders never scored, but the atmosphere more than made up for it.

If you’re waiting for a sign…this is it.

Not for the Orange Bowl specifically but for the next small idea that shows up and asks, “Want to go?”

You don’t have to go big. You don’t need a plan. You just need to stop talking yourself out of things that sound like fun.

Because life moves fast. Moments pass. Opportunities don’t always come back around.
And sometimes the memories you hold onto the longest start with a simple decision to say yes.

PS When I was at the airport to fly home, the flight was oversold. They were looking for volunteers to take a later flight. I took that opportunity and came home with $1000 payoff!

I Didn’t Talk Myself Out of It