February 1, 2025: The Family Reunion

For years, my family reunion happened every December.

The gathering overflowed with aunts, uncles, cousins, and an endless spread of Southern food. Deviled eggs, anyone?

But tonight offered a different annual get-together: the Duke-UNC basketball game. The contest is a slice of home for me. I grew up about 30 minutes from both campuses, and the rivalry runs deep.

I’ve always bled Carolina blue, and whenever I watch, I’m reminded of old friends and the years of bets and trash talk at school.

This evening wasn’t great for the Heels. A blowout loss. During player introductions in Durham, the Cameron Crazies have a tradition of chanting at opposing starters: “Hi ____, you suck!” Sadly, given the outcome of the game, they weren’t all that wrong. But that’s okay. We’ll get another shot soon.

Reunions always come back around.