Fight, fight, rah team fight!

Never thought I'd ever have a blog post title include the word 'rah' but after yesterday, why not.

My day, by the numbers:

5:35 AM - time my alarm went off

85 - number of apple pies myself and several high schoolers and leaders made for our camp fundraiser!

106 - approximate number of times I thought to myself: "I really don't like Digger Phelps."

2:30 PM - time of departure for Downtown Detroit!

7 - approximate number of miles we walked through downtown checking out Riverwalk, soaking in the sights of Detroit pre-game, and celebrating in the streets after the win!

6 - number of times someone said "do you smell that?" or "what is that smell?"

146 - estimated number of times I said "go green" or "go white."

1 - number of former Spartan standout wide receivers turned pro bowler turned Super Bowl hero turned future jailbird I saw in a hotel lobby and walked right past.

245 - estimated number of high fives given/received.

7 - estimated number of botched high fives with Dilyn Duffey.

2 - large deep dish pizzas ordered at Pizza Papalis after the game.

1 - MSU flags being run through the street.

3 - times the fight song was sang while we ate dinner.

8 - number of UConn fans I actually saw.

67 - total text messages sent and received that were about the game in some fashion.

2 - number of sophomore boys from Grosse Pointe that I saw in Greektown at 10 PM. They're crazy!

1 - number of phone calls I received from friends heading back to East Lansing saying they might have car trouble. Another adventure to add onto the night!

2:35 AM - arrival back home and immediate bedtime.

10.5 - total hours spent in Detroit. It was a great day to be a Detroiter and a Spartan.

People have spent a lot of time talking about what the Spartans' run means to the state of Michigan, and more specifically, to the city of Detroit. I don't think any comments about how uplifting this has been for the city or the temporary relief from so many troubles are a stretch. It was awesome to be down in the city last night, watching thousands of people who would never be there on any other night walk around with friends and be united in purpose. The only worry discussed last night by thousands of people wearing green and white was about how to stop North Carolina on Monday. All the pain and heartache that city has endured was nowhere to be found.

I think the same can be said for me. I've been living and dying with every jumper, every loose ball, and every final buzzer. MSU's run to Detroit has been nothing short of incredible, and I've been hanging on for every moment. It's like I've been living in this little oasis, away from the pain and hurt in my heart, since March Madness started, and I'm almost afraid for Monday to come and go because that means on Tuesday, it's over; back to "normal" life for me again.

I think the most joyful thing about watching the Spartans play is that it seems like they're fighting for more than just an NCAA Championship. They haven't played like this the entire year until now. It's like they're fighting for the state of Michigan, for the city of Detroit...it even feels like they're fighting for me.

Oh, and just for fun - enjoy this :)