At one point in my life I found myself consumed in a deep love affair. It was that sort of story we have all heard before. Love at first sight. Fell hard and fell fast. Was in way over my head before I even knew what hit me.
It was that sort of intense relationship that effected my everything. My emotions, my love and my loyalty were so strong for this relationship they dictated my free time, my mood, who I talked to and even, if you can believe this, what I wore.
I was in so deep and wanted nothing but the life I had in that moment. I thought this love was all I ever needed and my loyalty knew no bounds. It was just as youd expect when someone is this much in love. It was up and down, it went hot and cold at times, but it was always there. It grew so strong it kind of became my identity.
Then one day, like most tragic love stories, the heat turned lukewarm and the love just simply faded. I fell out of love and into a fog of complete
disbelief. I had no idea it was even possible. Could I even be me without this part of my life? Could I even imagine myself without being wrapped up in this incredible affair?
Here I am today, defining myself differently and without this great romance of being an underdog, achieving great things together and never losing sight that it was all in the name of true love.
I am speaking, of course, about my incredible love of college sports, particularly Kansas State University sports. I started attending football and basketball games before I was even a year old and as I grew older and fully understood the intricacies of the games, my love grew stronger and more consuming. I attended games all over the country, never missed an opportunity. I knew the Xs and Os, I knew the players and I knew I knew and lived the history and I dreamed of the potential. I lamented the could have beens and accepted the reality.
life and for many, many years, consuming college sports filled my free time and defined my social life. Then one day I just started to lose my taste for it. A few things happened at my university that reeked of racism, coaches brought politics onto the playing field and people I admired were no longer part of my team.
It happened quickly and unexpectedly, but I just simply fell out of love. No tears were shed, no obscenities were hurled and no ones belonging were thrown on the front lawn. The relationship was just not what I wanted anymore and I quietly accepted that it was me, not you.
I tried to rekindle the feelings and the excitement. I went through the motions and faked some interest, but I started to accept the reality that it will probably never be the same. I accepted that I will probably never love like that again.
On a recent trip to Pakistan, and unexpectedly felt that old spark of attraction again and was reminded of what first drew me in the first place. It was almost like getting those butterflies all over
again. Maybe there was a part of me that was open to feeling love again. Maybe there was a part of me that was simply blindsided. Maybe the romantic within me just could not stay away from all those warm feelings.
I know what you are thinking. Pakistan of all places, not exactly the setting of many great love stories. Not exactly the first place I would go looking for love or even a torrid affair. I know. I agree. But maybe it was this unexpected situation that made it all the more appealing or made it all the more romantic.
I was invited to attend a two day Championship right in the heart of the Punjab, Pakistan. I had never been to one before and had little idea of what to expect. I understood the concept of but I wasnt sure how it would all play out in person or how I would find it. I assumed it would be like any other sporting event I had attended, simply located in Pakistan.
