Valentine’s Day falls on a Sunday this Year, but for Some Tampa Bay Couples, Super Bowl Sunday will be a hard Night to beat!
Photo by Karimah Henry on Instagram
Every February there are two epic days that the world pays attention to; Super Bowl Sunday and Valentine's Day. We all love it when a special day falls on a weekend. Valentine's day actually fell on the Sunday after the Super Bowl this year.
Tampa Bay Buccaneer fans have been celebrating Champa Bay since last Sunday and Valentine’s Day almost feels like a day to be tranquil after a week of cheer and excitement.
For the Tampanians that scored tickets to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' winning performance in last Sunday’s historic Super Bowl, this Sunday will pale in comparison.
These Tampa Bay couples will be “Raising the Flags” for some time.
Healthcare Hero
Dr. Natalie Mang is a Hospitalist for Bay Care and was ecstatic when she received the invitation to the Super Bowl from the Tampa Bay LV Host Committee.
Photo by Natalie Mang on Instagram
It was bittersweet for Natalie as she posted on social media that her husband Dan would not be attending.
Guess who’s going to the Super Bowl to watch her hometown team @buccaneers win the Super Bowl at home?!!! Sorry Whitney Dan that you can’t go with me. #GoBucs #thankyoubaycare #frontlineworkers ~ Dr. Natalie Mang
Dan Whitney, a corporate attorney is a life-long New England Patriots fan. He moved to Tampa, Florida from Boston, Massachusetts to be with Natalie.
Dan said that when he moved to Tampa, games between the Buccaneers and the Patriots were one of the hardest games to watch. Once you move to Tampa you have an affinity for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It’s hard to not love the home team.
I felt bad clapping when either the Bucs or the Pats did well. ~ Dan Whitney
That all changed when Tom Brady came to Tampa Bay. Dan has always believed in Tom Brady and knew the Patriots won Super Bowl rings because of Brady’s leadership and discipline. Dan was not surprised when the Bucs made it to the Super Bowl with Brady as quarterback this season.
I grew up watching the Bucs win and lose. The first super bowl was amazing. Happened to be around the same time Dan and I started dating and I told him the Bucs are going to win and he picked the Raiders. Lol. He was living in Boston at that time.
Then he moved down here to be with me. And then Brady came to the Bucs. I always tell him that good things happen to those to follow me to Tampa.
First Dan and now Brady. ~ Dr. Natalie Mang
Natalie and Dan are not new to Raymond James Stadium. They have been season ticket holders and posting photos and videos on social media from fantastic seats for many years.
Natalie used FaceTime with Dan during the Super Bowl so he could feel the excitement in the stadium with her.
Raymond James on any football Sunday would not be the same without this couple in the stands. It was meant to be, just like their beautiful marriage.
The Super Bowl was a nice gift to Natalie as she just had a birthday right before Super Bowl LV.
Natalie and Dan are spending Valentine’s Sunday together snuggling in their bayside home.
Tampa Blogger
Another couple that was meant to be at the Super Bowl is Karimah and Dane Henry.
Karimah is the owner of craftingafunlife.com. She is a Tampa Bay family blogger and influencer seen regularly on the local news giving motherhood tips and crafting ideas. She also partnered with Local Mom Box to help busy parents craft with their kids.
Right before the Super Bowl, Karimah was featured on Tampa’s News Channel 8 Daytime in a segment to demonstrate simple craft ideas to help kids celebrate the big game in Tampa.
Karimah and Dane are both University of South Florida graduates, so naturally, as Tampanians they are Tampa Bay Bucs fans. They were not going to miss out on all of the fun The City of Tampa and the Tampa Bay LV Host Committee had planned for Super Bowl festivities.
The NFL Experience was AMAZING!!!! My family had so much fun! My favorite moment was our family race for the 40-yard dash. My husband pushed our toddler in the stroller and we ran down the field. A stranger said he's never seen a stroller move so fast. Lol. We're a competitive family. My boys had so much fun participating in all the kid-friendly games. ~ Karimah Henry
It’s an exciting time for employees of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Some were able to snag Super Bowl LV tickets. Dane Henry works for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, so the Henry’s made it a date night!
My husband works for the Bucs so he was able to get tickets. I attended the game with his brother. I've been attending most of the Bucs games once my husband started working for them. I would be at the games with my boys including the times I was pregnant.
I have always been a fan so this was cool to see them in the Super Bowl. I knew Tom Brady would give us a chance at getting to the Super Bowl but I didn't expect it to happen this way.
It's been an incredible season and I'm so thankful I was able to witness a historic moment. I had a great time at the game and felt safe with all of the protocols. We received a personal protection pack that included a face mask, antibacterial wipes, hand sanitizer, and earplugs.
My husband was able to get us access to a restricted area to celebrate the win. The energy was crazy in the stadium. I've never experienced anything like it. ~ Karimah Henry
This Valentine's Sunday for the Henry’s will be much quieter than Super Bowl Sunday. Eddie V’s takeout and putting the kids to bed early. What a sweet way to celebrate after an epic week.
Valentine’s Sunday
After a week of Champa Bay love celebrations in Tampa Bay, many couples who celebrated all week are spending a quiet romantic evening at home with takeout.
What are your plans for Valentine’s Sunday?