I posted a bit about this previously. My wife gets anxious during games but has wanted to watch most games together this season. Our 17-year old daughter came up wearing her BYU gear on Saturday night, even though she cares nothing for football.

So, for the BYU-Utah football game, about 20 of us Fargo residents got together to watch the game, cheer and hope for victory. What an epic night! My wife wasn't feeling great and the anxiety of the game stressed her out, so I dropped her off at home during halftime and returned to the watch party.

Here is our "victory celebration" story. Of course, at halftime we were feeling a bit down but hoped for the best. "Magic happens," we kept telling each other. As the third quarter progressed, and BYU was making some progress and holding Utah to no further points, our hopes got higher.

We had gathered at a generous member's home with a nice viewing room. We were all mostly gathered down there, kids and teens and adults. This home also has a nice swimming pool. As we got going into the fourth quarter, the host and homeowner said: "Hey, if we win, we have to jump in the pool! Who is in?"

Well, first one, then another, and then another committed to "jumping in the pool." As the quarter progressed and BYU was getting closer, the kids soon started a chant: "Jumping in the pool! Jumping in the pool! Jumping in the pool!" Every good BYU play, the chants got louder and were shaking the windows.

In the last two minutes of the game, we were cheering and shouting, hoping for the best, and then as BYU progressed down the field, the shouts got louder - "Jumping in the pool! Jumping in the pool!"

And, of course, when Will Ferrin kicked that final field goal to win the game - PANDEMONIUM! Shouts, cheers, hugs, high fives and all - and then a mass rush to the pool room. Swimsuits were distributed to those in need - and first one, then two, then five, then, well, most everyone - JUMPED IN THE POOL! We re-watched the last three minutes of the game, cheering the whole time, throwing a football around, splashing everywhere, and celebrating again every play that got BYU closer to the final victory! A great and memorable way to celebrate the WIN and cheer on the Cougars.

Then, I went home and didn't get back till 2:00 a.m. in the morning. At 7:00 a.m., I got up briefly and my wife woke up and looked over and said, "So, what happened in the game? We lost, right?" I said, "WELL . . ." - and then related the second half blow by blow. When I told her we kicked the field goal with three seconds left to win the game, 22-21, she couldn't believe it and thought I was lying to her. Nope! She insisted that we turn on the TV and go to YouTube - we then re-watched the final 5 minutes, and she insisted on watching about 5-6 post-game interviews with Kalani, Jake Retzlaff, and so forth. Great game, great bonding experience.