From JuJu with Love

This morning, I’m out walking my sled-dog doodle in what feels like a very unfair late-March cold snap.

And yet… I’m warm.

Not because of the weather — definitely not that — but because of last night’s win.

There’s a certain kind of joy that comes with being a Michigan fan. The kind that sneaks into your morning, lingers in your step, and somehow makes freezing temperatures feel a little more tolerable.

And as I’m walking, I’m realizing something else:

I am deeply superstitious.

Not casually. Not “knock on wood” level.

I mean… committed.

This entire basketball season, I have worn the same lucky sweatshirt every single game. Every. Single. One.

And our record?

34–3.

So if it’s 80 degrees next week and we’re playing in the Final Four — or even the championship game — you can be absolutely sure I will be sitting there… sweating… in that same sweatshirt.

Because at this point, it’s not a choice. It’s a responsibility.

But it’s not just what I wear.

It’s where I watch.

I have five TVs in my house.

I built a whole “Diva Den” in my basement — designed specifically for game-watching, entertaining, big moments.

And yet… this entire basketball season, I’ve been watching in my living room.

On the couch.

Alone.

Well…mostly alone. (Unless you count a very invested doodle.)

Not because I planned it that way — it just started that way.

And then they kept winning.

So now? I don’t move.

I don’t switch rooms.

I don’t invite people over.

I don’t mess with the formula.

Because clearly… the couch is working.

And somewhere along the way, my superstitions stopped being just mine.

Now my friends are texting me things like:

“DO NOT CHANGE your clothes or any of your behaviors…”

Message received.

But during the games, I’m still connected to my people — all over the country.

I was texting with my nephew Ben in Chicago, where the game was being played. I was hoping he’d somehow gotten tickets, but instead he was at a Michigan alumni bar, surrounded by fans.

At the same time, my phone was lighting up with messages from Marybeth in Ann Arbor, Fadi in Florida, Danny in Los Angeles, my dad in San Diego….

…and Bill — the Buckeye — in Las Vegas.

Yes, that Bill.

In Vegas with his buddies for the tournament…and he actually bet on Michigan.

And suddenly, it wasn’t just about my sweatshirt or my couch or my superstitions.

Now I felt like I couldn’t let him down either.

And then there’s my usual crew — Janet, Shoshana and Kristin — who, by osmosis, have become Michigan fans through me.

But let’s be clear…

Their loyalty still lies with Michigan State.

And since Michigan State lost last night?

It’s been very… quiet.

Haven’t heard a word.

But honestly the connections might be my favorite tradition of all.

Different cities. Different allegiances. Different settings.

Same game.

Same energy.

Same collective holding of breath in the biggest moments.

What’s funny is that my football superstitions are completely different.

Football is meant to be shared.

That’s Diva Den territory. Big screens, friends, energy, noise.

Different outfit. Different rituals. Different vibe.

Same team… totally different rules.

And I know — logically — none of this actually impacts the outcome of the game.

But also…

Why risk it?

Because being a Michigan fan isn’t just about watching the game.

It’s about the rituals.

The traditions.

The connections.

The way a game in one city somehow links people across Chicago, Ann Arbor, Florida, California, Las Vegas…

…and a couch in my living room.

And maybe none of it changes the score.

But it absolutely changes the experience.

And honestly?

That joy… that anticipation… that feeling of being all in…

That’s part of the magic.

So for now, I’ll keep walking in the cold, still riding the high from last night…

And when the next game tips off, you know exactly where I’ll be.

On my couch.

In my sweatshirt.

Not moving.

Maybe it’s not really about the sweatshirt at all. Maybe it’s about the people, the rituals, and the feeling that no matter where we are, we’re all watching together.

And now… here we are a week later.

Final Four.

The sweatshirt hasn’t been washed.

Nothing has changed.

And at this point… it’s not superstition.

It’s responsibility.

And I’m not messing with it.

Let’s Go Blue.

From Juju with love 💙💛