#4 It’s My Fantasy

Fantasy football team, that is. Something that I never envisioned myself ever having.  It was several years ago when all of the men in our family started discussing their fantasy football league, and we females started to pout and complain that we weren’t included. I don’t think any of us were really serious, but we were having some fun with it.  Lo and behold, the next season rolled around and the guys asked us if we wanted to participate.

You must know that I knew nothing about football.  Zero. Nada. But as I contemplated the idea of joining the league, it occurred to me that it would be an awesome opportunity to bond with my boys.  I didn’t know anything about football simply because I had never invested the time to learn about it, but maybe now I should do exactly that.

Soon I agreed to join the league and form a team during the draft. Needless to say, I had a ton of research to do before the draft even happened. Apparently I needed a QB, some RBs, some WRs – you get the picture. I attacked Google with abandon and pulled up every “top 200 player list” that I could find. I made myself a handy dandy draft list and participated in the live draft along with my sons, husband and other family members. I honestly had no idea whether my team had any potential or not, but I ended up the season holding my own.

Taking that huge step to join in our family fantasy football league was the beginning of such wonderful interaction for me with the boys. Sometimes I ask their advice on a trade or pick-up. Sometimes I gloat with a win, and sometimes I sulk with a loss. No matter what the circumstance, the fun comes from all of the banter that goes on within our family. For those 15 weeks or so, we are all bonded together in lighthearted competition that gives us a common thread to open up the lines of communication.

Is there something that your spouse, or the rest of your family, has interest in that you have been reluctant to try? Fishing? Golfing? Tennis? Sometimes it’s a bit intimidating to try something new; especially if you’ve had no interest in it in the past. However, if it means spending more “quality time” with someone that you love, the investment of your time and effort is well worth it. I would like to encourage you to give it a try.

Oh, and by the way….this year I actually won the trophy, much to the chagrin of the others.  Before you know it, I’ll start researching my team for next season. And so it goes…..