Groundhog Day holds a special place in my heart. In fact, the status I accord this day is exponentially higher than practically every other other holiday-celebrating human on the planet. For most, it’s little more than a celebration of a rodent who was woken up early. Others may equate it with the classic film.* For me, it represents great memories, true friendships and the ties of weirdness that hold us together.
From dusk on February 1 until midnight February 2, the university I attended celebrated the Groundhog. Everyone left campus to drink beer in the woods around a giant bonfire. I know—crazy. But as a student, it was epic.
For about five years after graduation, the tradition continued. For alumni in Chicago, this was true commitment—the pre-dawn cold is really, really cold in my city. Then life obligations and age suggested an afternoon get-together would be easier. Then maybe only every few years. Sigh.
Fast forward to 2021. Zoom had become a fixture in all our lives. Now I can celebrate Groundhog with friends from my graduating class, no matter where they live. We wear cozy pajamas and sit in front of our own fireplaces under blankets. And we get to laugh, reminisce and laugh some more. After all these years (never you mind how many), it’s nice to know there will always be that group of friends who remembers those glory days in the woods.
*I’m happy to debate at any time whether or not “Groundhog Day” is a classic. I contend it is and will go to the mattresses over this. Feel free to discuss.
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