We Waited

We waited. 


In the cold and the misting rain, just after ten o'clock, we pulled up at the Signature Hanger and joined a group of about fifteen other fans who had already gathered and were also waiting.. jittery with expection and excitement. 


Music was blaring from car radios, people were laughing and joking and there was a level of energy that is hard to explain unless you were there to experience it for yourself. The yellow, white and blue jerseys everyone was sporting with their various numbers and names made me smile and know that I was among folks who were just as proud to be there as I was. People would drive by and honk their horns and pump their fists as they looked for parking and we yelled back, happy to welcome any and all fans who came to join us. 


We waited some more. 


The information came that the plane carrying the Nashville Predators Hockey Team we were there to welcome home hadn't left when expected, and it would be another two hours before we would get to see them. No one cared... we settled in and still we waited.


The police showed up to keep an eye on the ever growing group of fans, and then a phone call from the teams management came with rules of what we could and could not do once the team showed up. No asking for photos, no asking for autographs, no stopping the players seeking to talk to them at all. We were only allowed to watch from a distance and offer our support verbally to the team that we love. 


But that was alright.... and we continued to wait. 


The group of fans swelled to about one hundred and fifty folks, and some among us were interviewed by the various news crews that showed up to document our welcome for the Predators, and we entertained them by doing various chants we voice at games, and singing television sit-com jingles, and talking about the team and the stats and the hope of bringing home the Cup to Nashville for the first time ever. 


And finally, they were here. 


The doors to the terminal opened. We shouted, hooted and chanted, clapping our hands, stomping our feet, and making noise worthy of a TV timeout standing ovation at the Bridgestone Arena sporting seventeen thousand people instead of the mere two hundred we might have been.


One by one the players started streaming out, carrying bags, tired and travel worn, but obviously surprised to see us waiting for them. Several slowed down and waved to us, smiling hugely... grins that stretched from ear to ear. The respect that we showed them was mirrored in their faces for us, knowing that we had been waiting for them out in the cold and the rain until after midnight, just to show our love and support of their hard work and effort to come home to Smashville three to one against the Detroit Red Wings. 


Respect that was shown by us in the fact that not one fan rushed them, trying to talk to them or stop them, and they were allowed to get to their vehicles in peace to head home to get some much deserved rest. I was so proud. 


It was a welcome change for me, having worked for many years in an industry surrounded by celebrities, and their fans, and constantly seeing a lack of respect from the so called 'fans' who wouldn't allow them to have their time and their space. I stood in awe of this incredible group of people that proved that Nashville does indeed, have the BEST fans in the NHL. This was the way it should be done. Always. 


The players recognize it, and they appreciate it. Pekka Rinne stopped during his walk to his car and just smiled and shook his head in amazement, his face just shining as he waved to us. Brian McGrattan walked through the crowd and bumped fists with several people, his grin was so big, it lit up the parking lot. Jordan Tootoo pumped his fist and hooted at us. When they were able to, both he and  Mike Fisher tweeted out thanks to the fans and showed how much they enjoyed seeing us there waiting for them when they got home. Trotz also came through the crowd, smiling and shaking hands, bumping fists and showing this thanks for our support in his own quiet way. Terry and Pete came out laughing and talked to several people, proud to have us there, and took pictures of us as well as some videos of us chanting for the players.


We yelled until we had no voices left. Until there were no players left. No staff left.


Then, just like that, it was over. 


We all split up and went our seperate ways, content that we had shown the team that we love the support that they need to carry the them on in their quest for The Cup. It was an amazing feeling, and I feel somewhat humbled to have been a part of it.


We waited. And we waited.


And it was worth it.