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Guest column: Transformation is complete

BY JAMIE NORRIS

Guest writer

I had my first experience as a "true" KU fan this weekend. Mike and I took the kids and headed to Lawrence for the championship festivities. We left the house at 10 a.m. Sunday and about 12 hours later, as we carried two exhausted little Jayhawks in to bed, I decided that I am officially a KU fan. (Contrary to Mike's comments throughout the day about my being from the "other" school.)

When we arrived in Lawrence the excitement was contagious. I was really beginning to get some Jayhawk spirit. We made our way down to Massachusetts Street to find a place to eat. After parking and walking four blocks, trying two different restaurants, and one bathroom stop, we finally found a restaurant that had an empty table.

As I sat there cutting up food for Mitch and as Mike tried to keep everything out of Addie's reach so it didn't end up on the floor, I wondered if my dear, dear husband had envisioned this scene a few years ago.

He, no doubt, was excited when a few days ago I enthusiastically suggested that we pile into the car and make this fun-filled trip to see the Jayhawks. At this point in the trip, however, I began wondering if he was still seeing the enthusiasm of the trip.

After eating and another bathroom break, we decided to wander down Mass Street to see the sights. Never mind the fact that by this time there were about 10,000 other people doing the same thing.

As Mike carried Mitch and I carried Addie (forget the stroller in this crowd) we decided we needed to venture into one of the KU stores to find some gear for our little Jayhawks. We got back to the T-shirt section of the store and little Addie decided she wanted one of each. Mitch decided that pulling tags off the shelves and switching them around would be more fun — "just like matching Mom!"

Mike and I looked at each other and our eyes said the same thing — much better to be outside with 9,000 people than in this store with the other 1,000.

We resumed walking down the street and, after another bathroom stop, decided to take our young son's advice and "find some grass to sit on and each Cheerios." What a brilliant idea!

By this time, we had obviously waited long enough that we were not getting a front row seat for the parade. We perched on a ledge, Mike held Mitch on his shoulders, and we watched the parade.

This parade was nothing like the good ol' Marion Old Settlers' Day Parade. The flags went by, then a police car, an ambulance carrying Jay and Baby Jay, the marching band, and then about 10 convertibles with each of the players and of course, Bill Self and his wife. That was it — short and sweet — and no candy, as Mitch pointed out.

When it was over, Mike and I each looked at each other and wondered if we really made this trip for a seven-minute parade? Well, why not? That's what you do as a "true" KU fan.

As we made our way back down Massachusetts Street, I smiled to myself as I carried Addie and heard my precious little boy ask his daddy to sing "Twinkle Little Star" with him. I waited for Mike to tell him there were too many people or that he would sing with him in the car.

I was reminded, once again, what an amazing daddy he is when, without hesitation, Mike broke into song with Mitch as we pushed our way through the crowd. I smiled to myself and wondered, for the second time that day, if Mike ever pictured himself in this scene when he was wandering down this very same street with his fraternity brothers five years ago.

We made our way back to the car and Mike gave us a tour of the campus and places he used to live. As we drove by Allen Fieldhouse, Mike pointed out that the Jayhawks play there. Mitch, in all of his two-year-old enthusiasm, yelled that he wanted to go see the Jayhawks. So, of course, who are we to deny him of that — being the "true" KU fans that we are?

When we were seated in the gym and Mitch realized that the Jayhawks would not be playing basketball because the "shoot hoops" were put away, he was pretty much ready to go.

After listening to the opening speeches, watching Jay and Baby Jay for awhile, and watching a video of highlights from the season, Mitch and Addie were done being fans for the day.

A few hours later as we lay them in their beds, I secretly decided that being a KU fan isn't going to be so bad after all. No matter what my husband thinks about me having gone to the "other" school.

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