Every 3rd weekend of October, Jennie and I make the pilgrimage to Winona Lake, Indiana. It's the town where I spent seven of the most challenging and wonderful years of my life. It's the place where I found some of the most meaningful and deep friendships a guy could ever have. It's the place where I ate literally tons of Mexican food. And, oh yeah, it's the place where I met my wife Jennie at the Hacienda Mexican Restaurant.
But why go there every third weekend in October?
Is it the beautiful fall colors and weather that provide a brilliant God-induced backdrop on the sentimental shores of Winona Lake?
Is it the exciting fall Homecoming and class reunion stuff that some people live for and always strive to keep in touch?
Is it the Mexican food?
Nay. Nope. Nada. Nein. Never.
I pack up the Accord and drive six hours and spend three days in the friendly confines of central Indiana because of the FBL.
Sure, I use these times as an opportunity to connect with friends old and new, and Jennie is planning to see several of her bridesmaids and also spend time with friends who are going with us.
But we're there for the FBL.
"What in the world is an FBL?" you ask?
The Grace FBL (Fantasy Basketball League) formed in the fall of 1994 in Jason Knavel's dorm room at Grace. Ten years later, most of the guys who started this league are still together. It has become sort of a reunion and a time to catch up and have a great weekend together.
We have all gone our separate ways, with new lives, jobs, families, ministries -- and yet, a stupid basketball league keeps us together for at least one weekend a year.
When we get together, we do a big Saturday breakfast. It started at Bob Evans, but Bob's is always packed on Saturday mornings, and one year we had a party of 24 people and the breakfast natives were restless. We now go to nearby Mentone, and Teel's, for their excellent breakfast buffet.
Last year, the draft was on Saturday afternoon, but this year it is Sunday, due to several Saturday weddings.
"The draft?" Yeah, we still do the basketball thing, where each of us picks players from pro basketball teams and forms our own "fantasy team." I usually wind up with some random combination of players, plus my customary lineup of Eric Snow, Rodney Rogers, Peja Stojakovic, and Kenny Thomas.
"Too much information - who cares about your league?"
Well, some of the guys keep up with it, and some don't. We all think the draft weekend is the most fun, and it is our chance to just be college guys again. It is also great to catch up and see where everyone is in life. Then it's great to eat breakfast, play basketball, do the draft, joke around, and reminisce about the great times we've had together.
Dave Pacheco will recieve his championship trophy this Sunday - his second such title - for his team, the "Johnsonville Bratwursts."
My team, The Village Idiots, is a perennial contender and 2-time champion as well.
It's FBL week, everyone! Let's get it started!
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