🏈 From Burnt Orange Rituals to Building New Community with Hightail

At Our House, Fall Meant Football

Growing up in Texas, football was religion. I am 8th generation Texan (my dad would proudly and frequently remind me). The whole family went to UT - my grandfather, my grandmother, my mom, my dad and my sister. I was the black sheep who left town for Wake Forest (Go Deacs!) but that's a blog for another day.  It's not like I went to A&M or OU....

Nonetheless, the start of the Texas football season meant the whole Hight squad descending on our home. My dad made chicken enchiladas. We stress ate our body weight in tortilla chips and guac while sweating every down. Adult bevvies were flowing for them (Dr. Pepper for adolescent me). Every one of us was borderline psychotically invested in the outcome of each game.

We had lucky burnt orange underwear, or socks, or a victory sweatshirt. Any Longhorn loss was obviously directly the fault of the person who had not engaged in our superstitious fan ritual.

It was messy, it was obsessive, and it was pure joy.

Featured Above: clearly not us but rather what Google Gemini imagines we looked like.  Back in the 90s we didn't have the tech nor the inclination to photograph everything. 

The Bittersweet Present

As football season kicks off this year, I experience a swirl of emotions. 

Tragically, I have lost all but my mom from the Hight clan.  But that devoted fandom lives in me. 

As a Midwest transplant for the last 15+ years, I have struggled to find a tribe that wants to scream at the TV / cry / eat chicken enchiladas with me every Saturday. They’ll tell you about Ohio State vs. Michigan or even Notre Dame vs. BC real quick, but they just can’t really care about Texas OU weekend in my old stomping grounds of the Texas state fair.

Here's what loss teaches you: your “tribe” doesn’t have to look like it used to. It doesn’t have to be family by blood or even people who care about football. Your people are those who keep showing up.  Who lift you up.  Who bring you joy.

Building Something Better

I founded hightail to be more than just a better-for-you beverage.  We're creating a pathway for new rituals, new connections, and new ways to show up for each other.

Rather than drowning stress in wine that leaves you in pain the next day, we're building something intentional - moments that connect us to ourselves and each other. Hightail was built for those that want to boost those around them. Those who see all the heaviness of this moment, and raise a glass to what they can control. What they can enjoy.

This fall, I want to commit to finding my moments of laughter, love, and levity, no matter what. We only have one life to live. Live it well. Live it how YOU want to. With intention.

Your Reset, Your New Traditions

This fall, as football season kicks off and life turns up the volume, I invite you to find your reset moment. Whether it’s on the sidelines, at the dinner table, or at a tailgate — give yourself that breath for you that you so greatly deserve.

Join Our Tribe This Fall

If hightail sounds like a fit for your new rituals, I’d be so grateful to be included in your celebrations. We are here for your Reset Moments and when you’re feeling over your skis.

All September, we’re providing our DEEPEST DISCOUNT EVER. $15 your order with code RESET15. That brings the cost of a single 4-pack to under $18 - less than your usual poke bowl or SweetGreen salad.

In the end, it’s not about the final score. It’s about the tribe you build, the moments you savor, and the choice to treat yourself… better.