Dear FayWhat, I need your help before I end up sleeping on the couch… or worse, wearing a jersey I don’t understand. I’m a born-and-raised American guy who met my husband while traveling in Colombia. We’ve been together for six years and married for three. I love him more than anything, but there’s one thing I just don’t get: fútbol. My husband is from Colombia, and according to him, soccer isn’t a sport—it’s a religion, a lifestyle, and apparently a personality trait.
Every FIFA tournament turns our house into a sports bar. There are flags, jerseys, chants, emotional speeches, and enough screaming at the TV to make the neighbors think we’re under attack. Now that FIFA games are happening in Miami, he wants us to go to matches, watch parties, and wear matching Colombia jerseys. Meanwhile, I couldn’t tell you the difference between a corner kick and a Costco membership.
He says supporting Colombia is supporting him and his culture. I say love shouldn’t require face paint and learning the national team’s roster. So tell me, FayWhat: Do I have to go all in? Do I need to wear the jersey and attend every game? Or can I love my husband without becoming a soccer superfan? Signed, Offsides in South Florida
