I have always been loyal to football season, feet propped up on the couch with dad on Sunday afternoons cheering for the Giants and groaning at a dropped pass, staticky sports radio turned up in dad's pick up and never hesitating to ask a question, and receiving my Cruz jersey for Christmas freshman year of high school, but more recently my love for my very own football player spiraled into a whole new love for the game.

Suddenly, I was cheering in the stands every Friday night, wrapped up in blankets with #52 painted on my cheek, learning the lingo, superstitiously wearing my hair in buns on the side of my head (power buns) claiming that they would win, posting pictures on Instagram and Twitter to see myself on the Jumbotron and occasionally cursing out the referees under my breath. Amongst touchdown passes and tackles, here are the five things I love the most about being a die-hard football girlfriend.

1. Opportunity to learn

Every game is an opportunity to learn: learn more about the game of football, the position your boyfriend or loved one plays, learn about the fans surrounding you, and get to know your significant other's parents as the numerous stands and bleachers the sport leads you to. You can then show off all of your football knowledge on the couch on Sundays. As a football girlfriend you can also learn a lot about sportsmanship. Coming from a high school team who struggled to win games, I never learned more about passion, heart, and integrity than I did from watching the High Point Wildcats relentlessly battling and fighting in every single game.

2. Having a support system

Dating a football player comes with many more perks than just wearing a jersey in the hallways on Fridays. While your boyfriend is most likely taller and stronger than the average male, and is always willing to protect you and stand up for you, you will gain an entire new support system in his teammates. His friends will all enjoy your support and cheer in the stands as well as you study the roster and memorize the names and numbers.

3. Being a cheerleader without the uniform

I never wanted to be a cheerleader but luckily I was blessed with the indirect experience as a football girlfriend. I was able to write a number on my cheek and arrange thoughtful pre-game gifts for my boyfriend, including athletic socks, his favorite candy or Gatorade chews, and a good luck note. While being kind and generous to your guy can certainly be encouraging and motivating for him when it comes to be game time, it also leaves your heart feeling happy too.

4. You will always have plans for Friday night

You will no longer spend Friday nights in doing homework or searching for other plans. It is your time to head under the lights. Don't forget your blanket to place on the bleachers and some money for a hot chocolate or cheese fries. I have gained such a deep appreciation for my Friday nights spent in stadiums, wrapped up in Letter jackets and mittens.

5. Dating a dedicated, determined, and team-oriented person

Football is not an easy sport to maintain particularly in high school and college. Success is even more difficult to come by in a rigorous sport like football, full of injury and other risks. It takes an extremely dedicated, persistent, and selfless person to adhere to the strict schedule that football demands, and if you are as lucky as I am your boyfriend will demonstrate these traits in your relationship as well.

With all of the treasures of being a football girlfriend come some difficulties as well — time sacrifices and tiring practices but it also comes with the opportunity to support your partner and to be proud of someone. You can take advantage of your experience as a football girlfriend to become a more understanding person yourself, to be kind, to be a source of support and brightness amongst the challenges that football presents. When I fell in love with my best friend in high school I did not realize that I was falling in love with football too, but I am so glad that I did.