From JuJu with Love

All of a sudden, I’m organizing my own Big Chill weekend.

I casually mentioned to some friends that I was thinking about going to the Michigan-Rutgers football game in New Jersey this fall.

Thinking about it.

Not planning a trip.

Not organizing a group.

Not coordinating lodging, transportation, apparel, and ticket distribution.

Just… thinking about going.

And then the escalation began.

First, my college friends were interested.

Then I invited my friend Judy, who lives near Piscataway and whose son is a Michigan alum.

Judy said, “Stay at my house.”

Then we invited Nanette.

Then Judy invited Helene and Michele.

Then Susan and Stacy decided to come.

I bought four tickets (the maximum allowed) through the Alumni Association.

Two hours later, I was asking if I could buy four more.

Now I may need another four after that.

At this point, I’m afraid the Alumni Association is either going to hate me or dedicate an entire section of the stadium to me and my friends.

I call so often that they’re starting to answer the phone:

“Michigan Alumni Association. Is this Julie?”

Meanwhile, I’m looking for Michigan sweatshirts for Judy and Nanette so they’ll have something appropriate to wear to the game. Judy threatened to wear Rutgers gear, and Nanette announced that all she owns is New York Giants gear.

I thought I was packing for a football weekend. Apparently, I’m outfitting the team.

Between buying the tickets and packing everyone’s wardrobe, I became a traveling Michigan gift shop.

Somewhere along the way, I became the person my friends call when they want to travel, attend a football game, plan a reunion, or figure out where we’re having dinner.

At brunch in Detroit this summer, our waitress asked how a group of college roommates had managed to stay close for more than 40 years. Without missing a beat, three of them pointed at me and said “she’s the glue”. Apparently being the glue also means buying the football tickets, organizing the group trip and making sure everyone still owns something maize and blue.

Maybe that’s what happens when you’ve spent a lifetime saying yes to adventures—and surrounding yourself with Michigan people.

I never actually intended to become “Julie McCoy”.

It just sort of happened.

And honestly?

I wouldn’t have it any other way.

And yes, before anyone asks, the Michigan flag will be making the trip too.

From Juju with love 💙💛🏈