Invite Them to Paris

Somewhere over the Atlantic, between football and family, I was reminded What Matters Most.

We have a dog named Archie. He’s been in our home for about 6 months. At night when I let him out before bed, I’ve made it a habit to seek out a star in the sky. Living in LA, amid light pollution, it might seem like a challenge but it’s not.

In fact, for the past 6 years I’ve been trying to keep up with this small tradition with our first dog, Monkey.

Once I locate the star, I repeat the same phrase millions of us have said as children.

Star bright, star light, first star I see tonight…wish I may, wish I might…make wish upon this star I see tonight.

It’s a nod to my youth and a small poem our two boys have said every time they peer into the night sky. Usually one of them is with me, and it allows for a conversation starter and maybe a lens into their minds.

Then I begin the same conversation, and it starts with, ‘Hey Mom…’

Truth be told, it’s an exercise that brings me right back to the present moment, especially amid a flurry of life seemingly happening all at once. But truth be told, I rarely sit in it for more than 45 seconds. A quick hello, hope you’re well, quick update, and I’m out.

Dog inside. Lights off. Bedtime.

And if you’ve ever experienced loss, it’s pretty easy to realize that sitting in that conversation invites thoughts, emotions and feelings that can pack quite a punch.

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This weekend I’m off to Paris. To, of course, see the Paris Musketeers — your new favorite football team, who is 1-0 and hosting their home opener of the 2026 season. But much more importantly, to join my dad, brother and sister on our annual family sojourn.

It’s our sixth adventure, an idea our dad had after his wife of nearly 50 years died.

We’ve been to Tulsa, Key West, Jackson Hole, Mexico City, Yosemite National Park and now the city we planned to take our mom to for her 70th birthday.

But life had other plans.

Right after we revealed the surprise trip to her in 2020, she was diagnosed with lung cancer. COVID arrived, and the trip to Paris became a trip to Pennsylvania.

Looking back, it was a beautiful trip.

Everyone in our family went back to our small hometown and, as our mom laid on the couch one night in pain I’ve yet to endure, she said something that cut right to my core:

“At the end, all you want… all I want… all I give a shit about is having you four at my side. That’s it. The rest is all b.s.”

She died two weeks later.

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As the stars shine outside of our plane crossing the pond I’m deep in reflection. About life, football, family and loss. It’s actually the off-season in a sport that has become 24/7.

This week the football community lost a great soul in Adam Munsterteiger.

For as long as I’ve known him, he covered the Colorado Buffaloes. And for as long as I’ve seen his content or witnessed his welcoming smile, he loved what he did and he did it with passion, grace and pure joy.

Mid flight I started to read tributes to Adam, and mid flight I also started to sit in a meaningful conversation with my Mom.

You see, she loved football. So much that I called her ‘Coach.’

And once her and Adam sync up this fall for a watch party of sorts, I bet he will too. And vice versa. He will teach her about his Buffs and she will talk about how she loved Ralphie.

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Life is short. We all know that.

Relationships last. We all know that too.

But how much time we get with those we love is an unknown.

It may be a handful of games per year in the press box or it may be 38 years with the strongest woman you’ve ever met. It likely falls somewhere in between.

But as nightfall turns to sunrise somewhere over the Atlantic, I’m convinced more than ever that the time we spend with those we love is what matters most — and we will never get enough time.

So when we have it, lean in.

Enjoy your long weekend, I know I will. And if your parents are alive, do me a solid and give them a call. One day you’d do anything to have just one more conversation.

And if they pick up, invite them to Paris. And if they say yes, let me know in the comments.

Much love and stay steady,

Yogi

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