A MIXED MARRIAGE

Years ago, when the Husband and I first talked about getting married, we hashed out the topic of children right away. We both wanted kids, so the conversation was more about when, where and how that would happen.

More importantly, on that summer evening in July 1999, we danced around the topic of "what?" No, we didn't debate names, numbers or whether we preferred a boy or girl first. The big question, the elephant in the room so to speak, was more serious and heartfelt.

Pittsburgh Steelers or New England Patriots?

You see, genetically, the Husband and I have a mixed marriage. He was raised a Pats fan and loved sports so much that he'd made it his career.

I, on the other hand, was born and raised in Steeler Country. We are a special breed. Proud, loud and loyal. The fact that I moved away from Pittsburgh was shocking enough to my extended family and friends. The possibility that any child of mine would be anything BUT a Steeler's fan was unthinkable. That just doesn't happen.

Fast forward 11 1/2 years later to the Little One's first Christmas. At the top of our to-do list was getting him to Pittsburgh for the first time to meet as many of those die-hard, black-and gold-loving fans that raised me as possible.

A highlight of that trip was introducing him to the three biggest Steeler fans I know, our former neighbors Cindy and Debbie and Cindy's mother, Agnes. A visit with them isn't complete without a conversation or two about the team. To say that they love the Steelers is an understatement.

In 2008, at the age of 90, Agnes, who we call GiGi, got a tattoo of the Steeler's logo. Not surprising for a fan who just two years earlier traveled to Detroit to watch her team win Super Bowl XL. Not surprising for a family, who, like most Pittsburgh fans, wears their team colors all year long.

Even here in New England, 500+ miles from Pittsburgh and in the heart of Patriot Nation, I see fans sporting their Steelers flair several times a week. Every day on the way to the Little One's daycare, we pass through a quiet, suburban neighborhood and drive by a well-cared-for raised ranch sporting a large (I'm talking eight feet) banner that says, "You're in Steelers Country." The banner was hanging when he started daycare in November, long before it was clear that the Steelers would make it to the Super Bowl this Sunday. In fact, that banner was hanging last summer before football season even started. I won't be surprised if it is hanging there long after the big game, maybe even all year.

As for the Little One, well, we are taking the high road of parenting and letting him decide for himself. On Sundays in the fall we root for the Patriots and the Steelers. He often sports two team bibs and does his best to keep them spit-up free as long as he can.

We realized that no matter how loyal we are to any team, the best thing he can learn about sports from us is to be fair and respectful. This Sunday though, it's all about the black and gold.

"Here we go Steelers. Here we go! Pittsburgh's going to the Super Bowl!"