Eight years ago Monday, I graduated from Texas A&M University with my Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism. To call it a dream come true would be accurate. I was born an Aggie. I grew up an Aggie. I graduated an Aggie. And I am a passionate Aggie today.

There are certain things I am passionate about: faith in God, my support and love for my husband, my entire family, my fabulous friends, supporting MDA, music, writing, photography and TEXAS A&M. I wear my wedding band and my Aggie ring 99.9% of the time (taking them off only to shower).

Now, I’m one of those who looks at the whole picture. It actually angers me when people dismiss my school based on how well our football team is doing at any given time. There is so much more to Texas A&M!! So. Very. Much. More. But, since moving to Nashville, I had a bitter pill to swallow.

No one else really cares.

I lamented living in SEC HELL for a few years (and I have still used it at times when I wanted to watch a game but couldn’t due to regional coverage maps) and pouted that no one took the Big XII seriously. Then… its not that I drank the water, its that I opened my eyes and started to realize how strong and successful the SEC truly is. I still unabashedly root for TAMU, and I am quick to point out big successes. But I learned to keep my mouth shut most of the time. This is SEC land, and no one cares about a Big XII team. Even Texas is fairly irrelevant to anyone except their incredibly vocal t-shirt fans.

All that being said, when Texas A&M going to the SEC started being discussed last summer, my ears perked up. My hopes went up. Could it be? Could my university basically come to me via a conference shift?

But, alas, no. We’d stay in the Big XII. Only it was more like Big 12(-2). My excitement was dashed, and I returned to keeping my mouth shut.

Now, don’t get me wrong. At that time, a little part of me was apprehensive about the move, too. Long-standing rivalries looked to come to an end if we left… I have passionate feelings about our foes of Texas, Tech, OU and Baylor. There’s something SO cool about having so many games within the state that consist of rivalries between friends and family members. I’d be sad to see that end. So maybe this was for the best after all.

Already about a month ago, I noticed some SEC rumblings reappearing in my Twitter feed. Frustrations with things Texas had going on seemed to lead to unrest. SEC wishes were being made.

I pointedly ignored them.

Until literally two days ago. The posts on Twitter became impossible to ignore. This could ACTUALLY happen! We might just be moving to the SEC?? As I read the discussions on Twitter (a solid mix of “insiders” and “fans/alumni”) I got excited all over again. I’ve spoken with several SEC friends and all have given me high fives and open arms. Bring it on!

Now, don’t think I’m not stepping back from my personal excitement (Local sports coverage! Games within driving distance! My university on the walls of sports bars that are SEC centric!) and going, “Is this the best thing for my school?”

I think we will have an uphill battle for awhile. I think we’ll be a bit hated by our old rivals in the Big XII. But in the end, I think its a solid decision.

It separates us from the shadow we’ve been under with Texas for years. I’m not saying it makes us equal. I’m not saying it makes us “better than” them. I’m simply saying it separates us… and I welcome that. I welcome being acknowledged away from Texas on a different stage.

A Tennessee fan pointed out to me just last night that our traditions fit in line with many of the SEC school’s traditions.

I can’t deny the idea of being in a solid and stable conference is appealing as well. One that has lots of pull and strength with the TV networks. (Can we say revenue? I thought we could.) And by gosh, it’s going to be a challenge, but “I’ve seen ’em win, I’ve seen ’em lose, but I’ve never seen ’em quit.” I like — no I love — the idea of taking on the challenge of playing at an SEC level. We may or may not rock it. We will see.

Finally, lets face it. While we are all looking at this like football is all that matters, but we have solid basketball, baseball and track teams. (ALL our teams are strong, honestly.) We came in 9th in The Director’s Cup for 2010-11. The highest of any Big XII teams, and only ONE SEC team came in higher. We’re up for the challenge.

When I read that the Board of Regents have moved their meeting to Monday, I might or might not have shrieked and bounced around the house. (Okay, fine, I did.) When I read that the Texas House Committee on Higher Education called a meeting for Tuesday to discuss “discuss matters pertaining to higher education, including college athletics”, I cringed. I respect that this move needs to be looked at from all angles, but I fear being made to look the fool by missing our chance to move to something new… again.

It’s going to be a long weekend for Aggies… Monday could be a turning point for our school. I, again, embrace the opportunity to embark on a new and potentially difficult challenge. If we do move to the SEC, I will mourn those old rivalries, and I hope they can at least somewhat remain alive through non-conference games. Time will tell… Time will tell on it all.