My dad's birthday is on the same day as Flamengo: November 15th. So, as a Flamengo fan since childhood, it's always been a day of much celebration, but difficult because I have to divide my attention between him and my favorite club. "Dad, I'm going to your birthday, but if there's a game, you know what to do."
I don't know how old I was, but one birthday my dad decided to take the family to an amusement park. My sister and I were little, so it seemed like a lot of fun. But he made the mistake of stopping at the Gávea headquarters after hearing his daughters' request for a bathroom along the way. As a result, we thought the park was there and didn't leave for the rest of the day. Luckily, he also has a red and black heart, so imagine the hassle of explaining it wasn't.
It's hard to imagine a time when the word family isn't directly linked to Flamengo. Every major moment in my life has had a little bit of the team, whether good or bad. It was because of this club that I experienced the best days and met the best people in my life. It was also where I leaned on it during the most difficult times. It's safe to say that, even in a silent way, Clube de Regatas do Flamengo was everything I needed when I needed it.
Today I'm fortunate to work in the place I've always called refuge. And not a day goes by without me reflecting on how lucky I am to be able to breathe this in every day. As I mentioned above, it's amazing how Flamengo is always present.
In 2016, I lost my grandmother, the greatest influence in all this love. Coincidentally, she passed away just as the Red-Blacks closed out a 5-0 victory over Portuguesa in the Campeonato Carioca. Irony or not, exactly one year later I started working at the club. A year later, two years after her death, I was in Volta Redonda, the scene of that rout, watching a victory in an important derby. Our last conversation, which I remember every day, was also about one of those matches. Always connected to the great love of her life in some way. An intense paradox that demonstrates the whirlwind of emotions that comes with supporting this team.
Someone once told me that if Flamengo called at 5 a.m. or 22 p.m., I'd answer with the same joy. Thinking about it, it's true. I live this almost twenty-four hours a day, but I know that if the day had one, ten, or fifty more hours, I'd dedicate them equally—of my own free will. It's funny what this club does to us. When Flamengo calls, it's hard to say no.
On this November 15th, another day I have the pleasure of sharing, I prefer to give thanks. I'm grateful for the moments I shared with my mother, because it was Flamengo that made us best friends for life and in the stands. It's also the starting point for every family reunion. I'm grateful for the friends who entered my life through this feeling. For the intense moments I experienced in every stand of every sport I've had the pleasure of being a part of. For making those 90 minutes so meaningful for so many reasons. I'm grateful for being the reason for so much madness over these years, so much passion, so much everything.
And just as the tides depend on the moon, this magic depends on us, the fans. It depends on the Nation, on something that transcends the limits of reason. Flamengo, "take me in this sea of love." Thank you for giving me all this. Happy 123rd birthday.