THE TIDE TURNS

I'm back.

Despite my claims that I would never return to South Carolina if my beloved Crimson Tide lost to South Carolina, I decided I would come back. Mainly, I decided that because my wife told me I had to drive her home.

It was my birthday weekend, and my wife surprised me several months ago by letting me know that, as a birthday present, we would gather up some friends and make the trek to Tuscaloosa, Ala., where my wife and I met in college a decade ago.

It had been several years since I had been back to campus. Two small children tends to put a bit of a crimp in the plans to tailgate six hours away on a regular basis.

The children were going to be spread across two states during our trip. Parker, our 18-month-old, was going to hang out with my folks here in town, while Allie, our 4-year-old, would be dropped off in Atlanta. We don't know anyone in Atlanta, but I was sure she could find something fun to do.

Kidding, of course. My wife is originally from Atlanta, and we decided to let Allie take her first weekend away from home without us, staying with my inlaws. We were afraid she would be nervous and scared, and not want us to leave. When we arrived at Pop and Nana's house, we had been there for all of about four seconds when she said, "When are you and Mommy going to Alabama? I want to play." So much for separation anxiety.

Before we knew it, we were on our way. Also heading over with us was a friend who went to North Carolina, another friend who was in college at Bama with us, my sister, who is also a Bama grad, and her husband, who is a Carolina fan. My brother-in-law enjoyed annoying my sister on gameday by sporting a Gamecocks shirt and a Bama hat.

On Friday night, we went over to my fraternity house, my home for three years in college. Returning to the house made one thing very clear: My standards of cleanliness have been upped substantially. For example, oftentimes, when I am done with, say, a delivery pizza, I will throw out the box. At fraternity houses, however, they will be used to make table decorations. Eventually, when enough have been collected, they can be used to make small walls.

That aside, it was nice to be back in the college atmosphere. And let me tell you -- 20-year-olds are a lot younger than when I was there. And 30-something alumni returning for games were a lot older when I was there. Must be some type of time warp or something.

On Saturday, we were up bright and early for the game. We headed over to the fraternity house around 9 a.m. Upon arrival, it occurred to us that college students do not wake up until mid-afternoon. Fortunately, they are also not the best at such minute details as locking the house, so we were able to get in. And upon entering the house, we were greeted with that distinctive smell that only a fraternity house can generate: stale beer and socks. It's the college version of baked bread.

We spent the day walking around campus, which I enjoyed because I got to show off the buildings which I occupied daily for my college education ("And there's the bar where we saw the Connells. And there's where we saw Follow for Now. And there's...").

I'll fast forward past game time, because there's nothing noteworthy to speak of there.

I will offer a tip of the cap to the Carolina fans, who were as gracious before as after, and were exceptionally nice visitors to the Capstone. You are welcome any time. And when you do come back, visit the fraternity house. Just follow the smell.