My wife and I were in Waynesburg, PA, at 10:00 a.m. on 10/17/2010. We were trying to get home to Ohio for the game by 1:00 p.m. Of course, being Sunday, we were decked out in our black and gold. As we entered the town, my wife had mentioned how she hated coming to Waynesburg, because it reminded her of her grandfather, who had passed away earlier this year. He and his late wife were some of the biggest fans I ever knew. Her grandfather had taught her how to drive in Waynesburg, so it really brought back memories for her.

As we were coming out of Walgreens, a man walking a dog asked us if we wanted tickets to the game. He was from Virginia, and was involved in a car accident on his way to Pittsburgh on Saturday night. He wasn't able to use the tickets and said he'd let them go for $50 a pop. I looked at my wife and said "c'mon, it's the Browns!" She smiled and knew it was almost too good to be true. The man then said "I'll take $40 a piece, I can't go, I just want someone to be able to use them." Now typically, I'd be skeptical, but the man was an older gentleman, and looked like he wasn't hurting for money. I couldn't believe it, $80 for two tickets! Ok, what's the catch? He said the seats were high, but visibility was great. The seats were right behind the goal post.We went back into Walgreens, used to ATM to get cash to pay the man, and we bought the tickets.

My wife, who hates being unprepared, was completely unprepared to go to the game. We stopped to buy a Terrible Towel, and more gear for the game. We made it to the game right at the kickoff. The weather was nice, visibility was great, the game was awesome. It couldn't have been a  more special day. My first game, against the Browns, no less, was amazing! Waving a Terrible Towel at Heinz Field was one thing on my "bucket list" that I can now check off!

However, one thing I just couldn't shake was how it happened. I just kept telling my wife that somewhere her pap was smiling as fate would have us in the right spot at the right time. Five minutes later and it never would have happened. So, to the man in Virginia who sold us the tickets...whoever you are...THANK YOU!!!

And in memory of my wife's grandfather who exclaimed after every Steeler touchdown: "Woo-whee baby, how sweet it is!"