As so many Illinoisans are, I was born and raised a Chicago Bears fan. Some of my earliest memories are sitting in my Grandpa Al’s basement, surrounded by his laminated team posters, sneaking tiny cans of pop from his mini fridge while he and my dad cheered (…and usually sighed) at the TV. I was only one year old during the ’85 Super Bowl, but I like to imagine I celebrated right along with them. I definitely remember dancing to the Super Bowl Shuffle VHS for several years afterward, so that counts.
Fast forward a few decades, and I married a Bears fan. We had NFL Sunday Ticket back in our Texas college days because… priorities. We dressed our babies in Bears gear. I watched Michael sprint up the stairs and dive onto the bed when they won their playoff game. The Bears went to the Super Bowl and—surprise—so did I. (As in…I found out I was pregnant with Elliott. Not actually going to the game. We were broke college grads.)
Now that my sons are teens/young adults, I’ve learned that if I want quality time with them, I have to enter their ecosystem: football. They sit in one room for HOURS. It’s magical. So last year I started perching in my egg chair during games. At first I stared lovingly at them and narrated how happy I was that we were all together, but that apparently “ruined the vibe.”
So I tried actually watching football.
Turns out I enjoy the mic’d-up players, their sideline personalities, and watching who gets stressed or does little pep talks. I fell in love with Caleb Williams immediately and felt defensive of him—like a true Mama Bear—when the world had opinions.
Because I felt so fiercely protective of Caleb, I spent last winter glued to ESPN, following every rumor about the next coach. I just wanted someone who would champion him, guide him, steady him through the noise. And then—enter Ben Johnson. The second I learned who he was, I was like, “OH. THIS ONE.” I adored him from the jump. Loved him. Obsessed. I felt like I had discovered the perfect mentor for my son I don’t actually know (and yes, my entire family is rolling their eyes at that sentence right now 🤣 but it’s so me lol).
Now you can find me pouring candles with ESPN, The Score, and a handful of Bears podcasts in my AirPods. I follow every Bears fan account I can find. I follow all the players and all the WAGs. I even stepped away once while Suzy was helping me at the workshop because I said, “I’m sorry, I really need to hear Ben’s press conference right now.” LOL.
And I love it, because I’m actually learning the game! Sometimes I piece things together from context clues the announcers are giving, and other times I’m over here like, “Hey Siri, what is a tush push and why is it controversial?” Or the true basics: “Hey Siri, what is a blitz?”
And I’ll give you one guess who in my family is thrilled by this new era of my life.
Correct. Absolutely no one.
They gave me a designated “Mom section” in the family room—a full row behind them—because my “shriek/gasp/squeal combos” were “too much.” One morning Simon literally said, “Don’t you have anyone else to talk to about this?” after I followed him around with Bears news before school.
But deep down I know they love it. (They do. THEY DO.)
And honestly? This season has been a dream. Ben Johnson, these gritty underdogs, the resilience, the growth, the movie-like storyline—it’s giving Ted Lasso “BELIEVE” energy. I talk to my Grandpa Al during games like, “Grandpa… they’re DOING IT!” and even though he’s no longer here, I imagine him Angels-in-the-Outfield-ing the whole situation.
So in honor of this family legacy, this city, this team, this quarterback/coach duo I am deeply in love with, AND the importance of giving back…
I made a Bears-inspired give-back candle. Actually, two.
🧡 Light Up the Midway
💙 Da Glow (named by my dad!)
All proceeds from both will be donated to Bears Care, the Chicago Bears’ nonprofit supporting disadvantaged children and families through education, youth athletics, medical research, and cancer awareness programs.
Paige helped design the scent to capture the essence of Soldier Field:
— frosted juniper + citrus for that icy lakefront wind
— moss for the outdoors
— sweet orange + peppercorn for the spicy, slightly unhinged fandom vibe
It’s honestly perfect.
So light your candle. Do your angel wings. Summon the spirit of Grandpa Al.
And LET’S GO BEARS. 🐻⬇️🧡💙
