Ten Years

Packers 35 - Patriots 21

Ten years ago right now, I was the happiest I can recall ever being as a single grown-up. We were on the snowy streets and in and out of the bars of downtown Green Bay, cavorting and reveling in the wake of the Packers' first Super Bowl victory in 29 years.

Of course, it was also their last. But I'd prefer to focus on the positive here.

I hope I'll always remember the feeling I had that night -- that whole season. The moment that is indelible in my memory came just as we arrived downtown about 30 minutes after the game. We stopped about six or eight blocks away from the center of town at an ATM machine. There was no traffic, but there was still a wonderful noise emanating from the city. We stopped and listened for a couple of minutes because it was such a joyful noise. It was almost eerie. Green Bay was alive with the sound of cheering. Thousands of fans were out on the streets shouting at the tops of their lungs. It was a little muffled from where we were, partly because of the distance, partly because of the temperature, and partly because of the snow. That combination of factors made for a sensation that I can't imagine ever being able to experience again. I'm not depressed by that; I'm thrilled that I got to experience it and I hope I'll never forget it.

But here's hoping I won't need to wait 19 more years for the next chance.