Having a Ball on Christmas Day

A lot of guys' lives revolve around football this time of year. I like the sport, but really I'm a basketball fan, and due to the NBA lock-out I've been going through hoop-withdrawls these last five months…until now!

It was announced this month that the owners and players have agreed upon a tentative plan to get the ball rolling again, which means there will (probably) be a 2011-2012 b-ball season after all. The season will be shortened to 66 games instead of 82 and it will start with a triple-header on Christmas Day.

And, that is precisely why I am writing this today, because I know that I am not the only guy out there who is looking forward to Christmas for more than a new electric razor and a tie. I can't wait for the triple header. I know it's four weeks ago, but I already envision getting an early start on getting the kids to open their gifts from the fat man (that's not me, by the way) and then me sitting on the sofa, wrapping paper scattered about, relaxing with a cup of eggnog watching Boston vs. New York, Miami vs. Dallas, and The Lakers vs. Chicago.

Can you feel my excitement? Can you tell this is big to me? Well, I am sharing this with you, because when my wife allows me to watch these three games on Christmas Day, when she doesn't guilt me into fixing this or making that, when she gives me space and time on such a sacred day, I feel loved by the woman. I feel cared for. And, that, my friends is romance. yes, allowing a guy to watch a game (or three) can be very romantic. He will appreciate you and what you've done for him. It's an act of love to him.

So, ladies, please see it that way, as an act of love, as romance. Romance is just making your partner feel loved and cared for, and for many guys that means freedom to enjoy sports. It may not feel like romance to you, but it does to him, and that's really all that matters in romance, how it makes your partner feels.

Go Lakers!