The Great International Sleepover

There is a different level of enjoyment when it's shared. I'm not a parent but what I can say is more often than not my enjoyment is at it's peak when I witness my wife get to enjoy something. I think that's exactly what is happening in the United States hosting of the World Cup. More importantly, the great 'international sleepover' is exactly what this country needed.

Complacency is human nature, or at least American nature. Routine becomes normal and the checkout happens and I believe that can be the case with where you live. Being from northern Indiana I could have easily found myself bored in my hometown but get excited when someone gets to experience it for the first time. It's my place through a different set of eyes and that's what is happening in America this summer.

You have to be under a social media rock not to see what is happening among fans in their travels to the host countries. The Scots in Boston, Algeria in Lawrence, the South Korean and Mexican love story; have taken over social media as fans flock in droves from the FOMO of not being in those places. Also included is the 'series' of foreigners taking part in the food and culture of the host countries like Freddy from Germany and how much viewers love it. For Americans it's a refresh of where we live and seeing it with renewed eyes, but it's a whole lot more than that.

There were questions about the United States as a host country and those haven't been unfounded with ongoing issues with certain countries, fans and referees' struggles in just trying to take part in this global event. It leaves a majority of Americans continuing to shake their heads at witnessing a new chapter in our ongoing frustrations. However, the intermingling of fans has been exactly what the great melting pot has needed as a reminder; this is a great country with plenty to enjoy while the fight needs to continue. As the comment has repeatedly appeared, "We're a friendly place but just under bad management."

As someone who has been extremely lucky to visit plenty of places around the world, I go to experience more of what the world has to offer but also the humbling realization of no matter what we're really not all that different. That's clearly been well on display with all the visitors to the U.S. and Mexico. We really aren't that different and there's nothing stopping the fun or unity except constructions at a macro level that are almost irrelevant to everyday people. So much has been done and said to divide us and it robs us of so much.

One of the sayings I try to live my life by is 'Die with memories, not dreams.' What could be bad about experience something new? A bit tongue in cheek but one of my staunches arguments always centers around food because I know quite a few picky eaters. How can you not want to expand your palette when there are so many great delicacies that are absolutely delicious? Being a World Cup host have offered so much more for a country where so many are unlikely to have those experiences otherwise. I'm lucky enough to be a reasonable distance from one of the host cities and will be traveling down to be part of the party.

The United States is the great melting pot and I think it's undeniable that's a huge factor in what the country has achieved. Because of that, being a host for the World Cup is exactly the best way this country can celebrate its 250th anniversary and I'm glad to see it. So let the party continue and hopefully this inspires more people to have their own international sleepovers in the future.