When Jeremy and I started dating in college, I had the opportunity to learn all about the things that he loved in life. And at the time, basketball was pretty much at the top of the list. So every March, during the peak of college basketball greatness, I’d join him in this passion. I’d faithfully fill out my brackets (going mostly by which colleges had the coolest colors or mascots) and always helped make a poster size version so that we could fill out the games won and lost as they happened. The icing on the cake literally, was when I’d make basketball themed cupcakes to enjoy as we watched hours and hours of college game (okay so he’d watch hours and hours and I’d half watch while doing other things).
As time has gone on, we’ve continued to enjoy March Madness. But over the years it’s gotten less attention as the busyness of life has edged it out. We have still continued to fill out brackets and I still always pick Duke. So you can imagine how fun it was when Jeremy decided to breathe a little life back into our March Madness years by opening our home and hosting our first ever EBCYG Bracket Party. It just so happened that Duke played tonight during our 7-9pm slot so everything worked out perfectly.
We weren’t sure who would come. Because we thought we might be in the minority of people who even know what a bracket is. But much to our delight, just past 7pm our house filled up quickly with lots of our beloved youth group students.
Some of them were kind of actually there for the game.
And others probably more to socialize.
And others maybe just to play with our cool shuffle board table.
But we were mostly totally thrilled that so many came out to join us.
The two hours went by pretty quickly.
And everyone seemed to have a great time.
And while we all enjoyed snacks and fun bottles of Coke (from Costco, of course), surprisingly we only had three spills. For the record, the kids were pretty helpful in cleaning them up and also for the record, our carpet pretty much gets spilled on regularly because that is what happens when you open your home up to teens every week. Mostly we don’t mind because long ago we decided that we’d rather have an easy going and fun home (despite multiple carpet spills) that teens would come to and feel comfortable at than a perfect one. And so far, it’s working for us.
A huge thanks to everyone who joined us tonight for our Bracket Party! Thanks for reinvigorating our love for college basketball and we love you all very much!
Laura Herr Photography 