...where the players play.
I am back in Charlotte after a whirlwind trip down south. JJ played the Falcons in what I now understand is a huge rivalry game. Who knew? I am brand new to the NFC South and still learning who the big games are against.
JJ's mom, Carla drove down with me and we stayed with his aunt and uncle. I also got to meet more of the extended family. JJ's extended family (the Jansen side) is unlike any that I have ever been around, mainly because of the sheer numbers. Just when I think I've met them all, I travel to a new city and more appear. The fabulous thing about that is, no matter where JJ and I travel in the U.S. we are bound to have a place to stay and built in tour guides.
We started the almost 4 hour drive on Saturday afternoon and dealt with on and off heavy rain the entire way down (it is hurricane season after all). Once we arrived at Kathy and Bill's house we headed out to pick up JJ at the Ritz, where the team was staying. After 10 minutes of waiting in the lobby and a few phone calls, we realized there were 2 Ritz Carltons in Atlanta and we were not at the right one to meet JJ. We headed to downtown and found the right one, crisis averted! We had a quick dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe near the hotel, as JJ didn't have much time before he needed to be back for meetings. After he left we enjoyed a few martinis in the lounge at the Ritz. I won't lie, I felt pretty high class.
The next morning, we had brunch at the Country Club (I could get used to this life) and met JJ's dad's cousin, Bobby, and his family, then headed off to the Georgia Dome for the game. There were 8 of us, and through Bobby's connections we had 6 field passes for the game. We decided to try to sneak the remaining 2 people (Carla and me) through security to get on the field. After a little sweet talking the security guard and the ladies in charge of the media passes, we got the extra 2! I have never been on the field at a pro football game, let alone a game my husband is playing in! Very exciting!
We were able to walk right over to the Carolina bench, behind the security rope of course. It was kind of like being at a zoo, "Please do not pet the players." JJ had no idea we were there so he didn't even notice us creepliy taking pictures of only him. After about 45 minutes of stalkerazzi, he finally saw us. He did a double take and then just stared for a few more seconds before smiling and walking over to greet us. He was in super focused game mode, and we broke his concentration for a bit! We were able to get some pictures with him in his uniform and me in my one-of-a-kind custom Jansen jersey (Christmas card material!!!). It is very rare to get pictures with him in uniform so I was pumped.
They played a great game, but lost. In all honestly, as long as JJ plays well, I don't care what the final score is. We were able to go down and meet them before they loaded the bus back to the airport and chat with him.On the drive back to Charlotte I got a call from JJ. We were still 2.5 hours away, but he was already at home...sitting on the front porch. We had a little mix up and he ended up locked out of the house. His phone keep cutting out and we couldn't hear enough to make a plan. We kept trying to call him back but apparently he set his phone down in a puddle and broke it. I did get a call about 45 minutes later from a private number...JJ had gone to a grocery store to use their phone and buy himself a 12 pack of Miller Lite. He was planning on sittin' on our back porch readin' a book and drinkin' his beer until we got home. Can ya'll say white trash? I was able to get in touch with our landlord to let him in, but I just love the visual.
We are happily and safely back home after a fun trip. Can't wait for Dallas next weekend!
