Hey there!

I’m Heather, a fourth generation Alabamian & Christian girl who has called Orlando, FL home for the past twenty-nine years. Welcome to Totally Tailgates – home of Southern Sideline Hospitality! You may also know me from Totally Tatas, where I document a new chapter in my life….Stage 3 breast cancer. At age 46, with no lump & a clear mammogram (only dense breast tissue was cited), I was diagnosed with Lobular breast cancer. You can read all about that right here. ANYWAY, let’s get back to becoming acquainted……

Marrying my college sweetheart (his nickname is Copa……it’s kind of a long story involving our college buddies….yeah, that kind of story!) and raising our daughter have been true blessings in my life.

Copa and I grew up surrounded by football and good food. Our families (immediate & extended) collectively attended Big Ten, SEC and Division II schools. We attended Mercer. It’s a smaller, private university in Georgia; we had a wonderful four years together. I rushed and pledged Phi Mu, and am an active alumnae today.

You get it.

So did we!

Football, friends and old-fashioned hospitality just go together.

The genesis of Totally Tailgates was solidified in August of 2014.

At the tender age of 43 (oh yes, I just announced my age!) we became an empty-nesters when our daughter left for college. I knew I needed a creative outlet for the now AMPLE time I had on my hands. (What would we do on the weekends?!?) Sharing our mutual obsession love for tailgating was a natural fit for us. Plus, we wanted to share with other parents exactly what “sending a child to college” REALLY means.

Also, our daughter had a very positive sorority recruitment at a large, competitive school. She and I have been rush coaching girls ever since. So, a blog combining the best of tailgating foods, fashions and helping you navigate the collegiate experience was funneled into….TOTALLY TAILGATES!

However, Totally Tailgates was put on hold in November of 2014.

That Thanksgiving my mother received what would be her last chemotherapy treatment. Her valiant fight against cancer ended in the early spring of 2015. I cannot recall how many trips to Huntsville, Alabama I made that January & February. God’s sweet mercy reigned down on her one chilly evening and she went home to Him surrounded by friends and family. (This is why I am proponent of the AutoNation Cure Bowl – cancer awareness is HUGE for me!)

What began as a creative outlet quickly turned into a passion project.

In a few short months I lost my mother and became and empty nester – two life altering events.

Fast forward to 2017, and we get shock of our lives…..I am diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer!

BUT, with faith, friends & family all is well and we MOVE FORWARD….and boy, are we enjoying Totally Tailgates now!

God is SO GOOD. His favor and love keep us propelled forward! We love our strong church family and our circle of friends!

Copa and I are avid sports enthusiast so come along with us!

We are here to capture every hot wing, game day dress, Derby hat, Masters Southern Pimento Cheese Sandwich, golf tournament cocktail party, Final Four, home run, and how could we forget……NASCAR. (Nothing beats race day at Daytona!) Plus, if your daughter is heading to college and plans to go thru sorority recruitment we have tried & true tips for mamas AND daughters. 🙂

OH…..and we travel.

Not just for tailgates, either! (Although, truth be told,  it was pretty cool seeing golf tournament billboards in Beijing!)

C’mon…..let’s tailgate! We’re glad you are here.

FAQ: 

Heather, are you a professionally trained cook?
Sure, in the classical Southern sense…..meaning I learned from my mama and from my mama’s mama! No professional training needed, just a lot of “on the job” training. And, I spent many afternoons in my great aunts’ kitchens, too. Best cooks in Calhoun County, Alabama!

Who is your content developer, lead photographer and recipe developer?
Yours truly! Although Copa weighs in with content development suggestions and is lead taste tester.

What camera do you use?
Canon EOS 1100 and my photo editing software is Photoshop Elements 14.

If you could pick just one tailgate food to eat on game day what would it be?
Me: Wings   Copa: Hamburgers

What is your one piece of advice to PNMs (Potential New Members) going through sorority rush?
Trust the process! There is a house for every girl and a girl for every house. Stay with it and you will find your sisters.

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