By the time this blog posts, the news of Peyton’s departure is not new news, but something tells me, we Hoosiers may still be licking our wounds – I know I will. I told my manager, Emily, today that I can’t seem to get out of this funk I have been in all week. She asked me what was wrong, but she should have known my answer – Peyton. Everything reminds me of him. Today, when looking through earrings to wear to work – I stumbled upon my Colts horse-shoe pair – definitely didn’t want to wear those today. Too soon. :( I was listening to the radio on the way to work yesterday and I heard Adele’s “Someone Like You.” I cried. Was I thinking of some long lost love? No, I was thinking about Peyton and the Colts parting ways. I can only imagine how long this heartache will go on for – especially when I see Peyton in some other team’s colors next Fall.
I have always been a sports fan. I grew up completely obsessed with Reggie Miller and the Pacers. My high school, Ben Davis, was known for it’s football team – we won the state championship 3 times out of my 4 years there – 2 of those years, our team and our QB were both ranked nationally. Although I went to every single game every single year, the game never really stuck with me. I didn’t fall in love with football until 2003 when my college roommate, Jennifer, forced me to watch it every Sunday. I instantly loved Peyton Manning. He seemed like such a nice guy and the best athlete I’d ever seen. He brought life to our city. While the Pacers were getting in bar brawls and gunfights, he and the Colts were bringing a lot of positive energy to our city.
I know it is because of Peyton’s success with the Colts that we got Lucas Oil Stadium. It’s because of Lucas Oil Stadium we got a Super Bowl and a re-vamped downtown. It’s because of the Super Bowl, our city will continue growing and becoming an even more wonderful place to live and raise a family. When I was a kid, downtown wasn’t really a place people wanted to go – now it’s a place people flock to and are proud to call their city.
A huge reason I am sad to see him go, is because he will be taking his wife, Ashley with him. Ashley is one of my favorite clients at Air-Tan. I still remember the first time she called on the phone and told me her name. I thought to myself, “THE Ashley Manning?!” I was so incredibly nervous to meet her and to spray her (yes, we get nervous, too!), I felt like I could hardly even formulate sentences. She was so sweet and down to earth, though, my fears all melted away instantly. Although, I’ve never met Peyton, I feel so special to have had Ashley as a client for the past 2 years. It was a wonderful experience getting to know her and it was truly a pleasure to have her.
Here is Ashley at the NFL Wives Fashion Show on February 3, 2012 – with her Air-Tan, of course! 
All of us at Air-Tan will miss her very much. We wish Peyton, Ashley, Mosley and Marshall all the very best on their newest journey in life!
