As the clock ran out on the Eagles’ last play of the game, after the Chiefs’ kicker sent the ball sailing through the goalpost for the winning field goal, our eldest turned to us and said, “You know, the real winner of the Super Bowl is that mom.”
She was referring to Donna Kelce, who received some media attention for the half-Chiefs half- Eagles jacket she wore to support her two sons, Jason and Travis Kelce, the first brothers to play on opposing teams in a Super Bowl.
We watched for a few moments, as players rushed the field to congratulate one another, waiting for a glimpse of their brotherly embrace. And I kept thinking about my daughter’s remark, how it encapsulated multiple truths that really resonate with my experience of motherhood.
It is true that as a parent I am proud of my kids’ accomplishments, thrilled they are independent and responsible adults. I feel joy as they succeed at adulting.
It is also true that I feel greater joy, like a real winner, when they celebrate their successes together, when they comfort and help each other, and even when—I could say, especially when—they confide in each other and exclude us parents.
Last year, when our eldest was in graduate school in Scotland and her two younger siblings were both in Atlanta, the three of them stayed connected by sending Marco Polo videos, using FaceTime, and texting in their group chat. Occasionally they would check in with us, sending photos and news to the family group chat.
I enjoyed the messiness of our fivefold threads, the intertwining responses to questions posed, the colorful reactions to memes shared.
I enjoyed knowing how much they missed each other, savored the anticipatory joy thinking about how happy their reunion would be.
While watching the post-game celebration, hoping the Kelce brothers would find each other, I realized my three stooges will finally have their sibling reunion in April when they are all here for Passover. And I will rejoice fivefold.