I live across the street from a football field

 It's funny, the things you get used to. For most people, the soundtrack to a Friday night might be the latest streaming binge or dinner with friends. For me? It's the roar of the crowd from the football field across the street. Living this close means game nights aren't just something you hear about – they're something you live next to. And let me tell you, stepping out into my front yard when a big game is happening is a trip.

One minute, I'm watering my petunias, the next, a wave of sound washes over me that could rival a rock concert. You can feel the energy in the air, the vibrations almost. The stadium lights blaze so bright they cast long shadows down my street, turning a regular evening into something almost cinematic. And the voices! A constant hum of cheers, groans, and the occasional booming voice of the announcer, narrating a story I'm only catching snippets of.

It's a strange feeling, being right there but also removed. The excitement is palpable, you can practically taste it, but I'm just standing on my lawn, in my own little bubble. Sometimes a stray cheer will erupt that tells a whole story in a single burst of sound. Other times, it's just a low rumble, a collective holding of breath during a tense play.

I've seen it all from my little patch of green. The celebratory fireworks that light up the sky after a big win, the somber quiet that descends after a tough loss. People streaming down the street, their faces painted with team colors, their energy infectious. It's like having a front-row seat to the collective heartbeat of my town, all without ever having to buy a ticket or fight for a parking spot.

Is it always peaceful? Definitely not. Parking can be a nightmare, and sometimes the noise goes on a little longer than I'd like. But there's also something undeniably cool about it. It's a constant reminder of the community I live in, the shared passions that bring people together. And yeah, that one time a stray football actually rolled into my flowerbed? That was a story I still tell.

So, while some people might dream of a quiet suburban street, I've got the Friday night lights just across the way. It's different, for sure. Sometimes a little crazy. But it's my view, and in its own way, it's kind of cool.

***I don’t have petunias. It’s not quite as loud as a rock concert. & there’s not ever celebratory fireworks. Ai 🤖 might not know it quite exactly like we do. But close enough you kinda get the idea. Also, I wouldn’t call parking a nightmare. Just gotta make sure no one takes our spot so hubby has somewhere to park when he gets home from work. & the noise doesn’t exactly “go on longer than I’d like” it’s all good. People are pretty decent around here. One time a football 🏈 hit our door 🚪 (not flowerbed) and  I jumped about 10 feet lol. Whoa 😱 lol. It was a little startling, but I survived lol. I was sitting there all peaceful 😌 and suddenly 💥 bang. ❗️ but that was only 1 time in the (almost) 13 years we’ve lived here. There might’ve been like one or two other times but it was all good. 99% of the time no footballs are flying over here lol. 

The main reason I made this post is because I overheard the band practicing this morning. Drums and such mostly. Didn’t look out the door to see exactly what was going on. Sometimes I do. But now the music has stopped so maybe practice is over? Anyway… so yeah. Living next to the football field is interesting. (Especially in the fall)