It is that time of the year again that I must spend a week with no communication with my parents. That may seem sad and strange, but let me explain. My parents, grandpa, aunt and two other family members attended the school down South and when I decided to come to Wabash in 2019, I divided the household forever. Especially during Bell Week. While every other week of the year is full of love and support, Bell week is simply different for the Brookman family (and all other families who share this family divide). This week is more than just a rivalry and a game. It is a week that forces division upon my family.
Like I alluded to, this week means too much for me to be friendly with a bunch of Dannies. That includes my parents. It would be utterly disgraceful of me to even think about associating myself with anyone affiliated with DePauw during Monon Bell week. I take too much pride in Wabash. This is a week where the brotherhood bonds together, which means I must cut my ties with the rival and put all my heart into Wabash.
While it may be true that I am a product of two Dannies, I have also become a product of the Wabash experience. I am, in that sense, a son of Wabash, and I must pledge my allegiance to my college over my family for one week every November leading up to the battle against the place down south. Some may see that as unreasonable, but I see it as a duty I must uphold. There is no better joy than going into battle with your fellow Wabash brothers. And because my parents are Dannies my Wabash family are the only people with whom I can experience the heights of victory.
DePauw fans are notorious for shallow, small-minded trash talking. My parents are no exception, which also plays into my decision to ostracize them during Monon Bell week. Instead of getting caught up in their antics, it is easier to just simply ignore them. Furthermore, it gives them zero satisfaction and opens free realestate in their heads for me to live rent free (in fairness, I live rent free in their home during the Summer months anway). And because of the Wabash education I have received, as opposed to the DePauw education of my parents, I always conduct myself as a gentleman with any encounter I have with my parents leading up to the battle for the Bell. I always strive to take the high road when I am presented with situations where the banter has gone too far.
So to wrap things up, this week is a big deal for my family. It will determine who has the upper hand and bragging rights for the next year. At Holiday events, whoever wins can proudly say that their school has the Bell, followed with a “Ding, Ding.”
This is more than just a weekend in November, a game to win a bell, or an historic rivalry. It is a chance to prove that my school is superior to my parents’, and that is why this week I am from a House Divided.