They threw their gloves and sticks in the air. They had their arms flailing, looking for their closest teammate to tackle in a hug. The crowd was going wild; I was jumping up and down in front of my seat. There was a big dog pile at center ice. Tears were forming in my eyes because I was so happy.
After the team had their moment of congratulating each other, I made my way down to the ice with the other family members. Anyone who I walked by enveloped me in a hug. In all the years of knowing these guys, I had never seen them so happy.
The Chicago Blackhawks just won the 2015 Stanley Cup Championship! They defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-2. The Blackhawks had a rough road back to the position they are in now. After not making it to the finals last year, they made it their business to make it back there. This season was like a roller coaster for them. They would go on winning-streaks, and then make a complete 180 and go on a losing-streak. This year’s playoffs were different, though. They beat out every team they faced to make it to the Stanley Cup Finals, and didn’t give up until they had that title again. And to top it all off, they won on home ice, in the United Center. I couldn’t be happier for the team, and even more so for the Captain, my boyfriend, Jonathan Toews.
Speaking of, I couldn’t find him anywhere. I saw every other player and their mother, but I could not find the most important person. I was standing at center ice, scanning the crowd for my man. All of a sudden, the crowd parted and standing there was Jonathan. We smiled at each other, and before I could take a step towards him, he skated right up to me. I wrapped my arms around him, and he hugged me back.
“I’m so proud of you, Jon.” I whispered in his ear, and kissed him on the cheek.
“Thanks, Kate. That means a lot.” He planted a kiss on my lips then pulled away. That’s when I realized everyone watched us, which I thought was strange.
“Kate, there’s something I need to tell you.” Jon entwined his fingers with mine, and stared into my eyes. My heart started to beat quicker as I didn’t know what was happening.
“Kate, we’ve been together for six years now. We’ve been through a lot together. Three Stanley Cup Championships.” Jon and I laughed.
“Damn straight! Woo!” Daniel Carcillo cheered from the crowd.
“Anyway, you’ve stuck through almost my entire NHL career with me, and that couldn’t have been easy. I am eternally grateful for you and the love that you shower me with. I don’t think I could have made through all of this without you by my side. You have helped me so much, and I just hope I have returned the favor.” Jon paused for a moment to take I breath. I noticed one tear fall from his eye, and I reached up and wiped it way with my thumb.
“Just get on with it!” Patrick Kane shouted from behind me. We all laughed.
“What I’m trying to say is,” Jon got down on one knee, as Patrick skated behind me and handed him a small black box, and I’m pretty sure I stopped breathing.
“Kate, I want to be with you for the rest of my life. I want us to be there for each other for everything. Katelyn Tredd, will you do me the extreme honor of becoming my wife?” Jon opened the box, and the most beautiful ring flashed before my eyes.
All I could muster through my tears was an excited head nod and a smile.
“Yeah?” Jon smiled up at me.
“Yes!” I yelled, and the crowd cheered around us.
Jon stood up and wrapped his arms around my waist and spun around on the ice. He set me down and looked at all of our closest friends.
“She said yes!” He bellowed with one arm around my waist and the other hoisted in the air.
His teammates hooted and hollered. The girls rushed up to see me ring. The rest of the night was full of congratulations and hugs from everyone. I couldn’t be happier, spending the rest of my life with someone who I loved so dearly.
Jon found me in the sea of people, and wrapped me in a hug.
“You make me the happiest man alive, you know that right?” He whispered in my ear.
“Well, you make me the happiest woman alive.” I whispered back.
“I love you so much.” Jon said before kissing me.
“I love you too.” I said between our kisses.
