Dear Kansas City,

What a ride you have taken us on. We have lived vicariously through you as your team has continued to defy the odds. You have graciously welcomed those of us, who are frustrated with our own teams, into Chiefs Kingdom. We have ridden your coattails into the super bowl as if it were our own players on the field.

Your team has made football fun again. Your diehard fans have made us realize there is still some positive in a world drowning in the negative. The way your city supports and loves your team is refreshing. It is a community of believers in sport, in each other, and in winning.

It may seem silly that a game could bring so much joy to the hearts of so many, but many of us find ourselves pulling for you anyway. It’s just a game they say. But in today’s world the diversion of a game is just what the doctor ordered.

Valentine’s Day seemed the perfect day to celebrate the love between the championship team and the town who loves them. After all, it is a romance of a sort. But in this world, nothing is guaranteed. Violence tries to steal joy. It rises up at the most unexpected of times and places. At parades. In churches. On school grounds. Its goal is to instill fear. To traumatize. To separate. To divide.

Violence is mostly successful in its quest. Just watch the footage of people fleeing to see its work. Dashing the celebration, instantly, in seconds. Robbing thousands of their peace. In the aftermath, the wringing of hands and the pointing of fingers began again. Thoughts and prayers without action. Empty words. While blood and fear run in the streets. While nightmares take up residence. While trauma takes hold of hearts.

But if anyone can make a difference, it is Kansas City. It is Chiefs Kingdom. Because you overcome adversity. You know how to rally. You stand together rather than apart. You have the backs of your neighbors. You know how to come back. We have seen it on our screens. We have longed to be a part of it in our own cities. No one steps up like you do.

Our hearts are broken with yours, because along with sharing in your victories, we share in your sorrows. We feel the pain because we are a part of you. Maybe not in proximity, but in the community of diehard fans. You are members of a super bowl club we would all love to join, but now another club none of us wish experience. We stand with you as you wrestle and rebuild the community we all love. We hold space for your grief. We allow you your sorrow.

We do send thoughts and prayers, because we believe in the power of prayer. But we also try to put legs to them. I have the power of one woman. I have one vote. One pen with which to write letters and sign petitions. I will use my power, but it takes more than one. It takes all of us. The power of multitudes. The power of a kingdom. A Chiefs Kingdom.