The last time we made it to the Final Four, I was in grad school. UF received so many student tickets and took charter busses full of students to Dallas. Things like this are a once in a lifetime opportunity. So my friend, Nicole, and I went! & we had the best time: concert in the park, 5k run, courtside seats. We didn’t pull out a win but the memories made were worth it.
Now, fast forward 11 years and we are back in the Final Four. Early on in the season, I told Jermaine that we should go to San Antonio. Once we secured our spot in the Final Four, I looked at flights from Gainesville, Orlando, Sanford, Tampa, etc. San Antonio is not as popular as Dallas or Austin, so the flights weren’t as easy to find. & I would have to drive to Gainesville to take our cats to my parents, then back to Orlando. I was discouraged. I told Jermaine that I would be okay staying here in Orlando and watching it with the Central Florida Gator Club.
Now, this stung a little because I bleed orange and blue. Events like this bring me back in my childhood. I have said it before and I’ll say it again: my parents celebrate BIG! My parent’s neighbor managed the local Beef O’ Brady’s so during the 06 and 07 March Madness games we always had a reserved table. My parents ordered appetizers and it was a party. I vividly remember those games and the atmosphere was electric. After the games, my Dad and I would go to the airport and welcome the team back to Gainesville.
But I had one more idea: I could go with my Mom to San Antonio for Girls Trip 2025: Mother’s Day Edition. My parents are going on a trip next month, so originally she said they had some last minute things to finish at the house. Then, she thought about it and called Jermaine just to make sure he didn’t want to go before her and I made plans. Then, my Mom called me and said: “Dad says this is a once in a lifetime kinda thing, let’s go!” Long story short- the game package from UF was sold out, so we couldn’t go. But Jermaine promised me that we would live it up in Orlando for the games. & we have done just that!
On a sentimental note: This Final Four is special. It is the first one for the Gators since I met Jermaine. I am SO happy that I have gotten to experience this with him. He has definitely seen a new side to me… he didn’t know I was this into Gator sports lol.
Sleeping tonight is going to be hard because I am SO excited for tomorrow night!
Go Gators!
Molly
Molly Lamar 