Jack and Paige in the double stroller

Navigating my double stroller through thousands of bodies on University Boulevard Saturday wasn’t easy. But I was determined to finally tailgate, even if I had to do it with two kids.

A friend graciously offered me parking at her relative’s house downtown. It made it very easy for me to go. Before that, I had visions of parking in a far away lot and hauling an infant, toddler, and double stroller alone on a trolley. No way. I would have stayed home first. But with easy parking, I was willing to take on the challenge of tailgating with the kids minus my husband’s help (my husband was working and would meet up with us later).

So there we were, me and my double stroller and my group of friends who were gloriously child free for the day thanks to babysitters. I really need to find some babysitters around here. But I’m not yet ready to leave my 4 month-old with anyone anyway and family lives so far away. So my choice is to push 50 pounds of children through massive crowds on this beautiful day or stay home and miss out on the fun. I maneuvered the kids through intersections and drunk revelers, sometimes taking the grass when too many tailgaters flooded the sidewalk. I couldn’t believe how many people were out.

My group stopped for nachos on the strip. I waited patiently with my brood. I looked around. I was the only stroller in sight. Men and women held beers in the bars and laughed loudly. Others walked freely, swinging their arms by their sides. I felt a pang of jealousy but then it was gone. I was mostly thankful to be a part of the scene, kids and all.

We walked past fraternity houses, kids partying in front, and I was smiling, remembering when I lived in a sorority house. Ah, those college days when a beautiful Saturday like this was full of carefree promise — a whole day stretching before you with no worries except which outfit you will wear and which party you will attend. They will be me in 10 years, I thought. These girls in the short dresses and cowboy boots and perfect hair will one day leave the house to tailgate in pigtails and flip flops and pack a peanut butter and jelly lunch for their toddler and pray their baby doesn’t blow out a diaper on the Quad.

Finally, we reached the Quad and I saw more kids and families and my stroller looked and felt less out of place. We took my 2 year-old son to the bouncy houses and he had a ball. My daughter slept the whole afternoon away. No blow out. Phew. We found my husband and he pushed the stroller for a while. Everyone laughed and enjoyed the day.

So my first tailgate with the kids was a success. I had a blast. I was in good company but it was more than that. I felt part of the community, part of the scene. Having a new baby can make you feel eons away from society at times. No, it wasn’t the kind of blast I would have had if I was child free, but I’ve had plenty of those kinds of blasts. My child-free days are over. I am a package deal now. And I’m just fine with that.

Next up, tackling an actual game with the kids.