Bucket list checked off #53 Purple and Gold Memories: A core Moment on My 50 before 50.
One of the goals on my “50 Before 50” list is to be intentional about creating meaningful experiences with the people I love most. Not just checking items off a list, but collecting moments that become part of our family story. Moments that my boys will carry with them long after they are grown. Moments that remind me that while time moves far too quickly, love is what anchors us.
Lately, I have found myself feeling emotional about how fast my boys are growing up. It seems like just yesterday they were small enough to fit in my lap, and now high school is only a few short months away. The reality of that has hit me harder than I expected. As a mother, especially a single mother, you spend so many years focused on getting through each day that sometimes you do not realize how quickly those days are adding up.
F has been thinking about college for years. Since around fifth grade, he has dreamed of attending an Ivy League school on the East Coast. His sights are set high, and one of his biggest goals is to become a lawyer. Watching him pursue that dream with such determination fills me with pride. He will begin debate classes in high school next year, and by tenth grade he plans to participate in Running Start. His focus and ambition inspire me every day.
B is still discovering what path he wants to take, and that is perfectly okay. He is thoughtful, curious, and taking him to see a college campus felt especially important. Sometimes children need to walk through a place and feel its energy before they can imagine themselves there. Even more exciting for him, and honestly exciting for me, is that he actually said he would like to be a teacher, one of his favorite teachers is Mrs. Baker, his 5th grade teacher that turned his classmates into life time friends and saw his autism as a super power and that was empowering for B. So a few weeks after the game he now realizes that he can go to collage and open up his dreams and abilities.
As much as I will support whatever dreams my boys choose to chase, I have always hoped they would at least consider the University of Washington. There is something deeply personal about this school for our family. My grandfather attended UW, as did several cousins and an uncle. After graduating as an engineer, my uncle went on to work on the design of the top-secret Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit, (The stealth bomber). His wife worked as an accountant for the university. The school is woven into our family history. My sweet little cousin went to the same program that F wants to go to.
My grandfather even helped build some of the campus buildings while he was a student, working to pay for his tuition and expenses. That story has always stayed with me. It reminds me that education is not just about earning a degree. It is about sacrifice, determination, and building something that lasts for generations.
So when my dad told me he, Tony, and Tom had gotten tickets for all of us to attend the University of Washington Spring Football Game, I knew we had to go. I haven't been doing much after the hospital stay last month but these things let the boys, and my dad and I forget that I am sick
Tony and Tom are technically my dad’s first cousins, but that title has never felt big enough. I was raised with them as constant, loving presences in my life. To me, they are my brothers. To my boys, they are uncles. They are two of the most important men in our lives, and I am endlessly grateful for the way they love my children and help shape them into kind, strong, and thoughtful young men.
Our adventure began with the Washington State Ferries from Kingston. We then drove to Mountlake Terrace, parked, and boarded Sound Transit Link light rail into Seattle. The excitement was already building. We stopped for lunch at Sushi Burrito, sharing good food and even better conversation before walking onto the UW campus.
As we wandered through the grounds, we passed Denny Hall and saw the legacy of the Parrington family. Their name carries special meaning for us because the Parringtons purchased our family farm in Kingston and protected it from subdivision, preserving its integrity and history. Our family has always held deep respect and gratitude for them. My dad teaching the boys this and sharing our family stories was heartfelt.
Eventually, we made our way to Husky Stadium. The line was long, and the seating was open, but none of that mattered. We grabbed snacks, found seats, and settled in together.
It was my first Husky game experience, and it felt magical. Listening to Tony and Tom share stories about attending games as children brought the evening to life. There was something so comforting about seeing the traditions they had loved for decades now unfolding before my boys. The marching band, the cheerleaders, the sea of purple and gold, and the joy of thousands of fans cheering together created a sense of belonging that is hard to describe.
One of the highlights of the night was the beloved corgi races. Our family enthusiastically cheered for local author D.D. Black and his corgi, Pearl, as well as another adorable racer named GG. We were thrilled when GG crossed the finish line first, and we laughed like children.
When the rain began, we stayed. It was just a little spring drizzle, and none of us wanted the night to end.
By the time we headed home, something had shifted. Both of my boys were completely captivated by the University of Washington. What began as a simple outing had become something much greater. It was a chance for them to picture themselves in a place that holds generations of family history. It was a chance to bond with their grandfather and their uncles. It was a chance to feel surrounded by love.
As a single mother, there are moments when I worry about all the things I cannot provide. But on days like this, I am reminded of what my boys do have. They have a grandfather who shows up. They have uncles who pour into them. They have strong male role models who guide them, encourage them, and love them as their own.
And they have memories like this one.
This day was more than a trip to a football scrimmage. It was a chapter in our family story. A reminder that time is moving quickly, but love remains. A memory stitched together with ferry rides, college dreams, family history, and purple and gold.
This is exactly why I created my 50 Before 50 list.
To say yes to the moments that matter.
To honor the people who have shaped my life.
To build memories my boys will carry forever.
And to hold close the beautiful truth that family, tradition, and love are the greatest gifts we can give our children.
