Letter to the Editor: Power of Love

To the editor:

My husband proposed during halftime of the 1979 Super Bowl. I had been sitting next to him absorbed in my work when he entered the room with Champagne and roses. Everyone I was close to knew I had to be deeply in love, for I had always steered clear of football. To me, real life was dangerous enough. Games offered no diversion, only fear a player would be badly injured. But my husband is a loyal fan. Through the years, I sat next to him doing work, loving that he would hoot and holler, cheering his beloved Eagles on in their wins, and sure they would turn things around when they were losing — even hopelessly so.

As time passed, when the cameras focused on Philly fans, or players, coaches, and owners were interviewed, Stan would nudge me to put down my work to watch and listen. It struck me, as my husband and I sipped Champagne last Sunday, toasting our team to victory (and our anniversary), that President Donald Trump, who sat in the Chiefs’ box, left during halftime when his support, regardless of the outcome, would have meant so much. Our fans would never, ever do that. What does our Super Bowl championship mean to me? The grit and determination of our soaring Eagles, the unwavering love and loyalty of their fans, and my gratitude to live in my adopted city.

Published in The Philadelphia Inquirer February 19, 2025