I live in Kentucky and I take my family to Philly every year at least once for an Eagles game. My six year old son has always wanted to see an Eagles/Cowboys game, but I wanted to wait until he was old enough to withstand the cold if it was later in the season. 

Every year, my family and I make the long drive from Kentucky to Philadelphia for one reason: Eagles football. It’s a tradition that started almost a decade ago, when I first took my wife to a game at Lincoln Financial Field. Since then, our family has grown, and so has our love for the Eagles. Now, with two kids in tow, it’s become one of the highlights of our year—a weekend full of excitement, bonding, and shared passion for our favorite team.

My six-year-old son, in particular, has become a die-hard Eagles fan. He wears green nearly every day during the season and can name most of the roster by heart. But more than anything, he has one wish: to see the Eagles take on the Cowboys live. To him, this isn’t just any game. It’s the game. Eagles-Cowboys is one of the fiercest rivalries in the NFL, and even at his young age, he understands the weight of it.

As much as I’ve wanted to take him, I’ve always decided to wait. The Eagles usually play the Cowboys later in the season, and Philly weather in December or January can be brutal. I remember standing in the cold with gloves and three layers, watching our breath in the air as we cheered. I didn’t want to expose him to that just yet—not until he was old enough to handle a cold-weather game without it overshadowing the experience.

Now that he’s six, I’m starting to think this might finally be the year. He’s tougher than he looks, and we’ve been practicing sitting through chilly Saturday flag football games here in Kentucky. If the Eagles play the Cowboys a bit earlier in the season, say October or early November, it might be perfect timing. He’s been asking more frequently lately, and I can see the anticipation in his eyes every time we talk about the trip.

The experience of taking him to that game would mean everything to me. I still remember my first Eagles-Cowboys game, how the crowd roared with every third down stop and how the stadium seemed to shake when we scored. Sharing that energy with my son, in a game that means so much to both of us, would be something I’d never forget—and I think he’d remember it for the rest of his life too.

Of course, I’ll come prepared. If we do go, I’ll make sure he’s layered up with thermal gear, a thick parka, gloves, and a knit Eagles beanie. Maybe we’ll even grab some hot chocolate on the way in. My goal is for him to soak in the atmosphere, chant “E-A-G-L-E-S” at the top of his lungs, and experience the thrill of game day without shivering through it.