It was the best of times...it was the worst of times on our way to Toronto to watch Manchester United and find Cara's "True Love"...

Every year us Main siblings attempt to take a road trip somewhere to see something significant.  Usually it is just the Main sisters; this time it was the whole kit and caboodle. Bob was along for the ride.  During this adventurous and often ridiculous journey, we got to experience the ultimate bad luck of Ruthanne and the astounding and dumbfounding, brilliant luck of Cara.  This is our trip to see Manchester United destroy Celtic in Toronto.

Everything on the road was alright.  We ventured off listening to 90's rap and "reminiscient-like" songs which at their release Cara probably wasn't even born.  We got some phenomenal ideas for our signs for the game by listening to some Biggie Smalls (I think that Bob was secretly horrified).

Swiss Chalet stop!

We left my house at between 12 and 12:30.  It was supposed to be a three hour trip.  We rolled into the hotel at 5:47.  We had planned to be at the game at 6.  Mississauga is apparently 40 minutes away from the Rogers Centre.  We get on the road and what seemed like about an eternity of stop and go traffic, my car decides to stall right in the exit lane to the stadium .35 miles away.  MULTIPLE TIMES.... I had to put on the flashers and utter some pretty serious prayers while viewing many middle digits sticking out of random buses, limos, and cars.  It was great.  Bob finally got to see what kind of luck I have.  After about 20 minutes or so, we got the car to move.  On the way there, we saw a very meaningful sign when you live in a city.  It said, "Closeness isn't defined by distance."  I wanted to punch whomever put that up.

We ease our way into a parking lot at what I thought would be way past halftime, and thankfully park the car in the last spot.  We rolled down the window and the attendant said, "40 dollars." "WHAT???"  Ok...we will take it.  I think it was the only time we ever willingly and gratefully paid someone 40 dollars to watch over our car.  Phew we got there.

This is where Cara's luck came into play.  We were the 19th row up from the field excellent seats.  We saw three Manchester United goals!  I got to see Berbatov...yay Berbie...(Check out this site about Berbatov and the Continental...hilarious for those of you who know Berbatov and SNL...http://g.sports.yahoo.com/soccer/world-cup/blog/dirty-tackle/post/Dimitar-Berbatov-is-The-Continental?urn=sow,255409)  Got to see about 20 minutes or so of Giggs and Scholes which was definitely worth it.  Got to hear plenty of Celtic fans singing unintelligible songs that I am sure I would not like.  Got to have a blast with my siblings.

Now the best part of the whole experience was after the game.  I think here it is necessary to tell you all about school girl crushes.  I don't think I really had one, but I remember plenty of girls in the fourth grade loved Kirk Cameron and Michael J,  Fox.  Cara was a bit more unique and had more well-refined taste than my peers.  Cara was in love with Gary Neville.  If you know about Gary Neville, you know that he is a tad bit grumpy, loves Manchester United fearlessly, cannot take a joke well, and is the butt end of many, many jokes.  Cara loves him anyway. This is Gary Neville (see right). 


Before Cara got married, I used to pick on her by singing la cucaracha with these words, "I want your babies, I want your babies...Gary you're the man for me!"  I thought it would be immensely annoying, but Cara found it hilariously amusing.  Anyway, on our way there, we stopped at Target to get poster-board for our signs.  That is my explanation for Cara's sign (see below).  I even got Bob to hold the sign for a brief second when Cara looked for the ladies room and left it in her seat...it certainly had a better reception when Cara held the sign. 

 After the game, Cara held up the sign when the team was walking around the pitch thanking the fans for coming out.  The team was led by Van Der Sar and Fletcher who made their way to our side of the pitch.  Cara held her sign up with embarrassed pride.  Van Der Sar, the gentleman that he was was focused on clapping at those in the stands and had a very grateful look upon his face.  Then, all of a sudden he did a double take that stopped him in his tracks.  Yes my friends...He saw Cara's sign.  He turned around to Fletcher and pointed to Cara in the stands.  They both bent over and proceeded to laugh uncontrollably. 

Later we made our way over to the side of the stands where the players come out to get on the bus and be interviewed.  This is where Cara had her brief moment with Alex Ferguson...

Cara held up her Gary Neville sign.  When Alex Ferguson saw it, he laughed immediately and responded by saying, "You're not joking?"  He expected her to be joking.  He laughed for a bit got on with his interview and waved to her as he walked out to the bus.  It was quite the moment.  Cara loved it.  She very loudly asked him to pass on the message.  Thank god her husband Mark has a good sense of humor.