So, I read this amazing article by ESPN’s DJ Gallo about the five stages of grief for Patriots fans following last week’s Super Bowl upset. And in the midst of my grief, I totally identify. But I feel like my heart is healing slightly one week later, as my ruthless colleagues (and in many cases, friends) have seemed to cease talking about the game, Eli Manning’s heroism, and how they had been right about the Patriots the entire time.

Gallo’s five areas of grief are excellently presented with humor and feeling. And as a woman and a football fan – something I assert loudly and often – I especially love the comment,”You’re dead to me, Tom Brady. (Although I will be open to impassioned, aggressive make-up sex. Call me).”

However, having read this a day or so after the loss, and then re-reading it tonight, a week later, I’ve found I’ve deviated from the detailed plan. Along with an acceptance of the game (I promise, I do understand they were outplayed), I seem to have developed a fervor for the this team stronger than even before the Super Bowl, including repeated watching of the pre-game “teamwork” montage on YouTube, changing all of my icons, avatars, and profile pictures to the Patriots logo, and reading New York Times archives with the keyword “Tom Brady” from seven years ago.

I’m confusing myself and everyone around me with this strange acceptance and surge of “Patriot-ism” (which I only realized as a pun ten minutes ago) and can only think of Peyton Manning’s “priceless pep talk” (I still love those things, despite a slight grudge toward that family) about the end of football season. And he’s right. What else is there to look forward to?

Patriots season 2008…until then…more YouTube clips and more collecting of fan gear. New England Patriots, you broke my heart. But I can’t stop coming back for more. As I’ve told all my friends, I love ‘em more than ever.