Coaching Family Traditions

If you're a coaches wife, you know that "normal" doesn't apply to us when it comes to most things. Family traditions are no exception. Here are 4 football-specific traditions our family holds dear.

1. Attend a Coaches Outreach Summer Marriage Retreat
This tradition quickly became a must-do in our family. We learned about them early in our marriage, I think in year 2. We've only missed one since, and we'll never make that mistake again. The retreats are super simple and casual. The format is the same each year, which is what makes it so comfortable and familiar. There are countless benefits of attending, but here are my top 2. First, it reminds me that I am important to my husband. (Tell me I'm not alone. I always start to question this during the season ...) We don't get much time away together to just be a couple. This is a weekend I know I can look forward to each summer. Second, joining together with other coaching couples reminds me that we're not alone. Coaches Outreach does an amazing job of showering us with love all weekend and reminding us how important our coaching ministry is. This boost recharges me for another season.

2. Start of the Season Gift
I stumbled into this tradition, but it's one of my favorite. I'm not great at gift giving for Christmas. Or birthdays. Or Valentines. Or anniversaries. You get the picture. But somehow this occasion gets my creative juices flowing. I try to come up with something fun and surprising (and inexpensive!). I've failed to impress more often than not, unfortunately. But maybe that's part of the appeal. I think the Cincinnati Bengals shirt I got this year will be a hit.

3. Player Cards
"Player cards" were born out of my desire to help my then 2-year-old learn who each of dad's position players were. I asked Greg to take individual pictures of all his players during the team photo day. He wasn't a fan of this request but obliged. I printed out each player, glued the picture to a piece of construction player, and had the cards laminated. On the back I wrote the player's name and grade level. It was fun to quiz my little one of who each person was and then introduce him to them in person. Greg liked to line up his players and then, holding Keats, go down the line having Keats name off each of the players. It made the players happy to have such a tiny fan. Greg happily takes their pictures for me now. :) Bonus: I now also use the cards as I write notes or pray for the players. 

4. Budget for "Football Travel"
Each fall, we add a "Football Travel" envelope to our budget. This is money the kids and I use to eat out on Fridays, either as we travel to away games or at the concession stands. I love having this money set aside for this purpose and knowing we can have a treat as we head to the game.

I've learned it's important for the entire family to embrace our coaching lifestyle. As the kids get older, I'm sure we'll add more fun traditions to this list. What are some of your most favorite football family traditions?