OT: How understanding is your significant other about watching UM games?
I'm 39 years old & engaged to a wonderful 29 year old lady. We have been together 4 years. She says she appreciates my love for UM football and has become a fan as well since dating me. I've taken her to 3 games in person. However, every season my desire to watch games has caused a number of fights when it conflicts with something she wants to do. She doesn't want her entire fall revolving around a 3hr game every Saturday. So, for those of you that are married or in a long term relationship I'm curious how understanding your significant other is of your desire to watch UM games.
1. How old are you and what is your gender?
2. On average how many UM football games do you watch each year?
3. Does your significant other give you grief about it or are they cool with it?
October 31st, 2018 at 7:58 PM ^
You should write to Dear Abby.
October 31st, 2018 at 8:02 PM ^
Or a John Deere Letter? My wife loves when UM wins as that sets the tone for the mood of the house.
October 31st, 2018 at 8:08 PM ^
I think it's great post. Lighten up, Francis.
October 31st, 2018 at 8:35 PM ^
I think it was just a humblebrag about having a 29 year old wife.
October 31st, 2018 at 9:44 PM ^
Well, I have twenty nine year old wives. How about that?
October 31st, 2018 at 10:09 PM ^
Have a seat....
October 31st, 2018 at 10:04 PM ^
I'm near his age but dating a 23 year old. Bragging...
November 1st, 2018 at 8:50 AM ^
Enjoy the hell out of it while you can!!
November 1st, 2018 at 12:55 PM ^
If there's grass on the field, play ball!
/s
November 1st, 2018 at 3:40 PM ^
Wish I had checked this thread sooner!
October 31st, 2018 at 7:59 PM ^
1) I am a 46 year old hermaphrodite.
2) I watch every game.
3) The longer you're together the less she'll care.
October 31st, 2018 at 7:59 PM ^
I watch all Michigan games.
I watch football all day most Saturdays. I don’t watch the NFL.
i get to do it, but I get grief. ‘We have to plan our entire social life around your football games.”
October 31st, 2018 at 9:44 PM ^
Exactly my scenario, including the quote. The grief didn't really start until we had kids, therefore responsibility.
The best thing I did was reveal my crazy fanaticism/obsession immediately into the relationship so there were no surprises - same story for my frugality and obsession to save.
October 31st, 2018 at 10:00 PM ^
Exactly my scenario, right down to the frugality and savings obsession!
It takes self discipline, but a DVR is a huge help if you can avoid checking your phone for updates while tending to life’s responsibilities. Fast forward through all commercials and lulls in action, can watch every play in under two hours easily.
October 31st, 2018 at 8:00 PM ^
I have a dog. he doesn't care.
October 31st, 2018 at 8:11 PM ^
I have three. One is an avid fan. Sits there watching the whole game. Barks when Michigan scores. Growls when there is an interception or fumble. His name is Yost.
October 31st, 2018 at 8:19 PM ^
That Yost sounds like a keeper. (You might want to be careful when you any Catholic friends around, but otherwise sounds great). If you ever build a fieldhouse or an ice rank, you should name it after him.
October 31st, 2018 at 8:26 PM ^
My putting green is Yost Arena. Plaque and everything. Unfortunately, Yost the dog tends to think it's his arena, if you know what I mean. Also, I happen to be Catholic.
October 31st, 2018 at 9:18 PM ^
[Just to clarify: the knock on Yost (from Notre Dame fan relatives - we happen to be Catholic as well) and it was an element of his rivalry with Rockne, was that he was anti-Catholic. Maybe Yost was early on, but he seemed to get over that evolve on that subject (like the rest of America in the 20th century) and replied forcefully (in the 20s?) that he was not, and even had several captains on his team who were Catholic.]
Long live Yost's memory and his namesake!
October 31st, 2018 at 8:28 PM ^
We have 2...the male is Harbaugh and the female is Maizey.
October 31st, 2018 at 10:09 PM ^
Cute dogs. But watch your back I'm pretty sure I see Don Hector from Breaking Bad sitting in the background
October 31st, 2018 at 8:01 PM ^
Both 40 and she understands that I will watch every Michigan football game.
October 31st, 2018 at 8:01 PM ^
5th amendment.
October 31st, 2018 at 8:13 PM ^
Thanks, Hillary.
October 31st, 2018 at 8:01 PM ^
Old. Male
All. More than once. Slow motion every play on Sundays. BTN game in 60 minutes on constant replay during the week (Wins only).
I would have never married her if grief was remotely conceivable. She's a former athlete, and carries on more than I do, particularly NCAA basketball.
October 31st, 2018 at 8:01 PM ^
1. 29 Male
2. Probably 6 or 7 end-to-end (i.e., the ones with a legitimate chance of losing); the others I'll watch if we're free
3. We generally don't have much of an agenda on Sat. afternoons, so very little grief
October 31st, 2018 at 8:02 PM ^
Oh man, GET OUT NOW!
October 31st, 2018 at 8:03 PM ^
My left hand is pretty understanding. We take Saturdays off anyway.
October 31st, 2018 at 8:13 PM ^
I'm good for at least two on Saturdays.
October 31st, 2018 at 8:03 PM ^
My wife is a born again Michigan fan. She converted from her satanic practicesr installed in her from prior generations of buckeye fans. We watch every second of every game. It’s our weekly date.
October 31st, 2018 at 8:16 PM ^
I never knew there was such a thing as a buckey convert. "It's a miracle." Hail. Hail. Hail. In the name of Yost, Schembechler, and Michigan Stadium." Amen.
October 31st, 2018 at 8:26 PM ^
I recited Michigan catholic prayer “hail harbaugh” over her as she slept for years. Eventually one day she woke up fully converted. Truly miraculous
November 1st, 2018 at 12:37 AM ^
Our Coach who art in Big House; Hallowed be thy name; Thy Wolverines come; Thy schemes be done; On the field as it is in practice; Give us this game our weekly fix; And forgive us our penalties; As we shall forgive none of our foe; And lead us not into losses; But deliver us victories and cheer; For thine is the kingdom of Bo; And the power and the glory for ever and ever.
November 1st, 2018 at 8:54 AM ^
This is outstanding in every way!!! Hail to you, sir!!!
October 31st, 2018 at 8:03 PM ^
I'm 45 and I watch every game. My wife doesn't like sports but she understands my fandom and is very cool about me watching Michigan games and doesn't plan anything for us to do together on fall Saturdays.
October 31st, 2018 at 8:04 PM ^
We’re both 35 and we both watch all of them (unless she’s working) together with our 1st grader. The wife is just as much into it as I am and all plans are made with kickoff time in mind. In fact, if there really good games on later (say, Bama/LSU) those are planned around as well.
October 31st, 2018 at 8:04 PM ^
1. Middle-aged man (50)
2. All of them - unless there is a conflict such as a kid's sporting event then I watch it back on DVR.
3. No. She understands that Michigan football is part of my Saturday routine. We actually plan it out in advance so she knows what time the game is. If there is something more important than I am not an idiot an sacrifice my life but otherwise she knows that for 3.5 hours (4 hours if the game is on Fox) on Saturday is her time do whatever she wants and I watch the game. It actually works out pretty well and she is usually really cool about it.
October 31st, 2018 at 8:05 PM ^
She’s usually on the couch waiting for the kick with a drink in hand before I am.
She gets excited every year when it’s time to decide which away game we are going to travel to.
Best part? She comes from a family of avid Spartans. It took a while, but she’s all Maize and Blue now.
1.) Male in 30s
2.) Every game
3.) No grief
October 31st, 2018 at 8:07 PM ^
Nothing more sexy than a convert. That is, indeed, the best part. Cheers!
October 31st, 2018 at 8:06 PM ^
When she said she checked the Michigan football schedule prior to scheduling our Fall wedding, it only confirmed my choice.
October 31st, 2018 at 8:07 PM ^
Dude, you need to learn to prioritize. Not every game you should or want to watch live. Set the recorder. Watch at night. Not every game is watch live worthy. You need to understand her needs and compromise.
October 31st, 2018 at 8:19 PM ^
Agreed. I expect to watch the big ones like ND, Wiscy, MSU, PSU, & OSU. The rest I consider gravy. I don't mind DVRing the game now that I have that ability, but didn't until this year. Unfortunately every year in Oct one of the Wiscy, MSU, or PSU games is an issue as all the cool fall activities that she loves are in Oct.
October 31st, 2018 at 8:20 PM ^
In essence, communication and compromise are good. Very insightful, and correct. But if her needs and compromise conflict with who you are, you need to deal with the fact you married the wrong woman, and adapt or leave.
October 31st, 2018 at 9:14 PM ^
I'm just saying you need to choose your battles...
October 31st, 2018 at 9:07 PM ^
I could not disagree more. A 1 hour weather delay vs. Maryland (or whoever that was) had me ready to pull my hair out waiting for it to start. I am an addict.
October 31st, 2018 at 9:13 PM ^
Balance. That's all I'll say.
November 1st, 2018 at 5:01 AM ^
Yeah shame on you for not compromising. 13 or more blocks of 3.5 hours per year is way too much for you to have to yourself, slave.
October 31st, 2018 at 8:08 PM ^
I’m 50 my wife is 34. Every game she goes all out, wears her Michigan shirt, makes a great game day feast and takes a real interest in the game to the point where she screams at the TV, the refs and the coaches for bad play calls. She also has a healthy hate for all things Bucknut and Sparty related.
October 31st, 2018 at 8:21 PM ^
Does she have a sister? I'm happily married, but at our age, contingency plans are advised.