I have a family because we lost to the 49ers in 2012

This loss hurts, no doubt, as did the loss to the 49ers in January 2012. I’m sure most of you remember that game. At the time, I was devastated that we lost. In retrospect, I thank all that is holy that we didn’t win.

If you remember, our 2011 team was a guggernaut that, had they beaten the underdog 49ers, would have been favorites to make, if not win, the Super Bowl. Because the Giants won their divisional round game, the Saints would have hosted the NFC Championship Game. The Saints had destroyed that same Giants team at home earlier in the season. Being the son of a season ticket holder, it’s a lock that I would have gone to the game with my parents and brothers.

But it was not to be. The game was in San Francisco. My family didn’t come into town that weekend. I didn’t even watch the game.

Instead, I went out that very Saturday night with my friends, which I certainly would not have done if my family were in town. And while out that night, I met my wife. She and I had no common friends, no places we both frequented. It was a chance meeting that would have been nearly impossible to occur at any other time.

I’m now married with both 4 year-old and 2-year old Saints fans.

And it wouldn’t have happened if we had beaten the 49ers. By cheering for the Saints in that game, I was cheering against my own future.

Hopefully my story can ease some of the raw nerves out there.