Cleveland Celebrates
On Sunday, June 19th, 2016 the Cleveland Cavaliers won game 7 of the NBA Finals, finally claiming a championship title for Cleveland.
I was on a plane back home to DC during the game, and landed just in time for my dad to text me updates of the last few minutes. No one at Regan National Airport seemed to care, but I knew Cleveland was ecstatic. And I knew I needed to get back to my hometown. So Monday I got work taken care of and Tuesday I drove to Cleveland, thrilled that the celebration parade was scheduled for Wednesday.
Now, basketball is not my sport. I'm a baseball fan (Go Tribe!) and enjoy soccer and tennis. But that doesn't matter because I am a Clevelander. And any Cleveland team is my team. And any win by a Cleveland team is a win for my city.
After going 52 years without any championships the city literally swelled with pride, and jubilation. I know that I was among many Clevelanders spread out over the country who hopped in their cars, or caught trains and planes to get back to our city for the celebration of a lifetime. Over a million people showed up for the Victory Parade in downtown Cleveland. It was an incredible sight. People of every age, color, religion and background, smiles on every face. Cavs and Cleveland apparel on every person. People climbing on anything and everything in sight to get a view of the players who finally brought us a trophy. I cannot express enough how amazing it was to be surrounded by such an outpouring of positive energy and I am beyond happy that I got to be a part of it.
I was on a plane back home to DC during the game, and landed just in time for my dad to text me updates of the last few minutes. No one at Regan National Airport seemed to care, but I knew Cleveland was ecstatic. And I knew I needed to get back to my hometown. So Monday I got work taken care of and Tuesday I drove to Cleveland, thrilled that the celebration parade was scheduled for Wednesday.
Now, basketball is not my sport. I'm a baseball fan (Go Tribe!) and enjoy soccer and tennis. But that doesn't matter because I am a Clevelander. And any Cleveland team is my team. And any win by a Cleveland team is a win for my city.
After going 52 years without any championships the city literally swelled with pride, and jubilation. I know that I was among many Clevelanders spread out over the country who hopped in their cars, or caught trains and planes to get back to our city for the celebration of a lifetime. Over a million people showed up for the Victory Parade in downtown Cleveland. It was an incredible sight. People of every age, color, religion and background, smiles on every face. Cavs and Cleveland apparel on every person. People climbing on anything and everything in sight to get a view of the players who finally brought us a trophy. I cannot express enough how amazing it was to be surrounded by such an outpouring of positive energy and I am beyond happy that I got to be a part of it.