The Results of my Trip Down Memory Lane: Tears of Pride from Queens

You know that moment when you're so happy for someone that you just burst into tears? That happened twice today. In public.

Right after writing my previous post, I headed to Grand Central Station to meet Adam and Marion. We headed to Queens and found "La Gran Uruguaya" full of Colombians watching the game. They were so happy and SOOO loud. My nerves calmed down a bit, knowing that no matter what, we were in for a treat. We got a table for 6 and were joined by two ladies from somewhere in Central America. They were very sweet and we chatted in Spanish. We offered them some of the "parillada" (LOTS OF MEAT) we had ordered and they shared their sangria.

A crowd watches the Colombia game outside a pharmacy (on a big screen)

The first of many flags we saw in Jackson Heights, Queens (with Adam)

Outside of Gran Uruguaya with Marion before the game

La Gran Uruguaya

Fans of all ages

La Gran Uruguaya

At La Gran Uruguaya with Adam

La Gran Uruguaya --- FOOD

La Gran Uruguaya

La Gran Uruguaya with Marion and Adam

Y la Celeste me regalo un Sol!

Post game at La Gran Uruguaya

Well... Then... the game started.... And the nerves quickly returned.

All I wanted was for Suarez to get a chance to show what he could do. I quickly saw that we looked WAAAYYY better than against Costa Rica. The old legends didn't start, and Suarez got some help from young ones.... Then.... he scored. I jumped up and tears started rolling down my face. All I could think about was Suarez's crying face at the last game, knowing he had felt so helpless from the bench. All I could see was Suarez getting wheeled out of the hospital 28 days ago after knee surgery. And now... he was crying for another reason, and Maia was there to see it. He got his chance! And it was beautiful. The rest of the half was ok... just me nervous as could be.

Second half... I could see us losing it. I knew they would score, and they did. I suddenly knew it could all be over in a few minutes. And then... Pereira was laying on the ground.... Not moving. He was hit in the head and was just laying there. I'm pretty sure he was unconscious for a second, laying there, while his teammates tried to get him to move. They hurried to him and he struggled off the field. As soon as his sub was getting ready to warm up, Pereira started complaining. He fought. He wanted to keep fighting for the team. He didn't care that he had just been unconscious... he wanted to fight. And he went back in. At that moment, it all came rushing back. This is why I love it. Because they will risk anything for this team... Suarez his knee... and this man... his everything.

And then.... SUAREZ. He scores again. He kisses his three fingers (for his wife, daughter, and son) and then... the players are on top of him. He's crying. I'm crying so hard that I can't stop. He did it. This was his chance. And just like that.... he was on the ground being carried off in a stretcher. I missed what happened, and I hope he's ok. He cried and hugged the players on the bench, knowing there was still time on the clock... But he had done it. Two goals and Uruguay was ahead. AND URUGUAY WON. No one thought it would happen, and it did. And after arriving to Queens in the rain, I looked out to see the Sun. As the soccer song in Uruguay goes.... "Celeste regalame un sol" (Celeste (the national team) please give me the sun)

The restaurant went crazy... "SOY CELESTE, SOY CELESTE, CELESTE SOY YO." The ladies sitting at the table were so sweet and congratulated us. It was amazing. People outside started honking and we all went out to celebrate. There were flags, strangers honked by, it was magic. Next door, we went into the "panaderia" to get sweets and buy a Uruguay flag... the cheers just continued. It was unbelievable...

And just like that....
Maia got to witness her dreams come true. From the stadium.
Suarez got the spotlight he deserved.
Uruguay's 3.5 million got to scream together in harmony, through the tears and the smiles.
The team left their hearts on the field, and watched their hard work payoff.

And just like that... I got to once again see how blessed I am to have such incredible people in my life that know what means the world to me and support me from near and far. Thank you, thank you, thank you. And if you don't believe me about how amazing and supportive everyone is, here are a few examples of what I received today!