I grew up Sooner born and Sooner bred. Allegiance to the Crimson and Cream has been engrained in me since well…the beginning. My dad used to take us to football games and do his best to teach us all about how the game was played. Without any sons, we were his only chance at sharing ‘sports wisdom.’ 20 years later, I can’t say I know everything about the game, but I can say that OU football and I, well, we are old friends. If you watch a game with me, beware. I pace. I jump. And oh, do I worry. One particular game, back when I was a kid, I remember my dad took my twin sister and I down to the tunnels to meet the twirlers. They were twins too and we wanted so badly to be them. To be on the field and perform in front of thousands of people. Oh, what a thrill that must be.
When it came time for us to choose a college, we looked around a bit but deep down I knew there was only one place I wanted to go. The University of Oklahoma. Home of the Sooners. My sister and I had been in the marching band in high school (don’t judge) and so we decided to join the Pride of Oklahoma’s Colorguard. One of the best decisions I’ve ever made. We weren’t quite the twirling twins we had aspired to be long ago…but we were close. I spent my Saturdays performing in front of 86,000 people and feeling that thrill I had imagined back as a kid.
This past weekend I had the privilege of working with a couple in Norman, OK, my old stomping grounds, as we did an engagement shoot in preparation for their May wedding. We traipsed around OU’s campus taking pictures and I had a rush of memories come flooding in. It’s been over four years since I walked those sidewalks as a student but I remember them clear as day. After the session, I met up with some of my old college friends, including two of my college roommates. We called ourselves the Charles House ladies back in the day (our house being on Charles Street) and we were a great bunch. Some of my dearest friends to this day.
I drove away, on my way back to Dallas, caught somewhere in between gratefulness and sorrow. It’s hard to let go of days gone by, especially when they are so rich. Yet, instead of mourning the loss of a special season of life, I suppose the best thing to do is to celebrate it. I am no longer a student. I no longer perform every Saturday in front of 86,000 people. I no longer wear the crimson uniform. I no longer live on Charles Street. However, I am forever a Sooner born and Sooner bred. I am forever grateful for days gone by.
So, in the name of crimson, cream, Sooners, old friends and college memories,
I say, Take Me Back!
(please forgive the poor quality on this images…they were taken long before my 5D Mark iii came into my life)
Charles House ladies.
Oh, how terribly I miss these days. And my sweet friends.