The old saying goes April showers bring May flowers, but in addition to bringing those bee-attracting things I refuse to have near any entrances to my house, it also brings the NFL Draft. Those of us who are Lions fans often consider this grand event to be our Super Bowl; it’s the one day when Lions fans have something they usually lose by the middle of football season: hope.

One would think that the chants and boos often heard at the NFL Draft is indicative of football – a bunch of loud obnoxious meatheads yelling about guys who will run around in tight pants, while throwing and catching the ol’ pigskin.

But tonight, as I started watching the NFL Draft, and saw the reaction of Von Miller as he was chosen by the Denver Broncos, I realized that the NFL Draft isn’t just about getting a stud for your team (c’mon, I know that’s the biggest thing), it’s also a a chance to watch people’s dreams come true.

I know, I know, leave it to a girl to totally emasculate the hardy manly rough and tough game of football. What can I say? I have estrogen. But, stick with me for a moment.

As children, most of us are taught that we can become anything we want to be. Some of us want to be lawyers, some of us want to be doctors, and some of us want to be football players. Quite often, those dreams do not materialize and we find ourselves in jobs that we may or may not like. We turn our back on our dreams, or decide that we’ll follow them come the ever elusive someday.

So, forgive me if I get a little choked up and sentimental when I get the opportunity to see someone’s face light up when they follow their dream and they realize – their dream has come true. It’s that hope realized that gives us the ability to tell our children to reach for the stars. It’s that hope realized that gives us a little push to do something we’ve always dreamed of.

Seeing other people achieve their dreams is inspiring. Not only do we get to be happy for the person, but we also get to realize that dreams do sometimes come true. With hard work and dedication, we can transform a dream into reality.

So, I challenge you – the next time someone’s name is called in the NFL Draft, take a look at their face and really take a look. See their reaction, their emotion, their joy. Take wonder in the privilege of seeing their dream come true. And then, ask yourself how you can make your dreams a reality.

Oh, and Go Lions!