[Reginald Rutledge]

Coach,

My wife and I have known each other since the 7th grade. We come from the same block. She use to be a cheerleader. She's probably 10 times smarter than me and that's a fact.

When we got married 23 years ago, I brought out the game of electric football to her in 1985. I told her that I had a first love that I would never give up for anyone, even her! At first, she thought it was my old fiance'. Then I pulled out my Tudor men. She was relieved to say the least. So I think Penny's was still selling the players through their catalog and I use to see them in the catalog. Rose showed me the players and asked do I want to order more.

Never thinking the game would come back, I said let's just get every team (AGAIN). Then I began to dabble in creating stadiums, the first after many years of not constructing anything, was the LA Coliseum. What a crude and cruel monster! Rose began to think, "Okay maybe he has a little talent".

Then over the years, I began to pound the Tennessee Vols in her head, teaching her the traditions. It helped that she could relate to the Lady VOLS and Pat Summit. Then we started going to VOLS football games together. I started pointing out players, plays, and other things. Then when I introduced her to the head coach, Phil Fulmer and the athletic director, Mike Hamilton, she became a real football fan. When the director gave us tickets, she said at that point, I could really fall in love with football.

So after having kids who played sports at young ages, our home turned into a sports home. She knew I loved miniature football and she decided, "She was going to get in where she could fit in". Twenty-three years later, this woman keeps up more with sports than I do. She informs me of everything from miniature football to real football to baseball to basketball pick and roll. We're best of friends so that helps too. She knows my hope for the game and it is hers as well. That's why at conventions, when you talk to her, you get a feel of genuine concern for guys in the hobby because she knows how much it means to me.

I guess the one thing I can say is it becomes easy for her to help me because she knows I will do anything to make her happy. She's got my back and I definitely got hers.

I could go on but it would be the longest post I ever wrote. You just don't forget to tell your significant other Happy Valentines. My wife and I don't celebrate that day because of the commercialism of it but if that's something that brings you and yours closer together, always make her happy.