“Daddy, will the Eagles have a parade again next year?!” Jack excitedly asked as I lifted him off of my shoulders.
The buses had just passed City Hall, rolling toward the Art Museum. The deafening chants of “E-A-G-L-E-S” had momentarily quieted, and the celebration was winding down.
“I don’t know, bud,” I admitted. “I don’t know when we’ll be back.”
I wanted to say yes. The franchise certainly appears to be built for another run. But Super Bowls don’t come around often, and there’s no way of knowing when we’ll get to experience this again.
“The last time the Eagles won the Super Bowl was before Charlie was born. And the Championship before that was before Pop Pop was born.”
Jack scrunched his nose. “Really?! That’s stinky booty butt.”
I laughed. “Yeah—but that’s what makes these celebrations so special. We don’t know when they’ll happen again, so we fully embrace the moment while it’s here.”
Jack frowned, stomping through the confetti on the sidewalk, still hoping for a different answer.
“Jack, think about all the fun we had during the playoffs,” I continued. “We didn’t know if each game would be the last one of the season. So we enjoyed and celebrated each one like we’d never get another chance.
It’s why I throw you, Charlie, and Payson in the air after every Touchdown.
And why Mommy makes yummy food and decorates the house with balloons for the big games.
And why we play snow football pretending we are Saquon against the Rams.
It’s why I got so excited when Mr. Matt invited me to the NFC Championship.
And why you saw all those videos of Daddy and Mr. Matt giggling and jumping around with those strangers whenever the Eagles made a big play.
It’s why we keep watching replays and highlight videos on YouTube.
And why you keep playing imaginary football in your room when you’re supposed to be napping.
It’s why we acted like maniacs any time we sacked Patrick Mahomes.
And why we brought your mattress downstairs so you could stay up late to do snow angels in the confetti.
It’s why we skipped school today to take a crowded train to Philly.
And why we chose to stand out in the cold with 1 million other Eagles fans to yell the same chant we’ve been cheering for the past 6 months.
I looked at Jack with tears in my eyes, pride in my heart, and Miller Lite in my system.
“I don’t know what you will remember from this Super Bowl years from now. But I do know this one will always be part of you.
And because of what you experienced this winter—you’ll put on green, black, and white and cheer like crazy for The Birds every time they play.
You’ll go out and play football whenever it snows.
You’ll crave football food on cold Sundays in January.
You’ll ask to be thrown in the air after touchdowns – until you’re big enough to throw your friends in the air after touchdowns.
And you’ll dream of reliving the magic that we’re feeling right now.
Most seasons won’t end in a parade. And there will be many times you are left wondering: Will we ever get back?
But that dream and pursuit to relive the magic—that’s where the best moments are made. And we’re going to have one heck of a time rooting for the next one.”
Jack looked at me silent for a moment. Then, shared the most profound response of all:
“E-A-G-L-E-S! Eagles!”
The Janiec Reflection 