Thank you Seattle Seahawks.

It has been our absolute pleasure to be your fans and be identified like no other fans in the nation with our very own number and moniker.

We are the 12s. We embrace who you are as players. You are so very unique to this sport.

You are quirky, passionate, lovable and so much fun to watch and to follow.

Keep being who you are and letting where you came from and what you have become inspire and drive what you do both on and off the field.

We have gotten to know many of your stories and the individual journeys you took to arrive at this point in time.

We have cried, we have laughed and we have cheered right along with you.

Many of you took some serious hard knocks through your career as professional players.

Seattle fans have taken some hard knocks over the years, as well, while the struggle of the franchise played out over a series of a few highs and many lows.

Pay no attention to the mainstream sports media that wants to pigeon hole you, label you and define you with language and expectations that are comfortable and recognizable to their profession but do you little justice within your own.

The 12s are here watching, supporting and celebrating one of the biggest professional sports title victories to ever come to our region, thanks to you, the team.

We know that you give back to our community in so many charitable ways that are away from the spotlight of the game of football.

The personal time, effort and energy you direct back to us as a fan base.

We know the hope, joy and inspiration you bring to those who are not as fortunate to play at such a professional level in the sport they love like you do.

However, thanks to your openness and willingness to both embrace and include your fan base where ever possible, everyone is able to live a little piece of that dream through you if they choose to do so.

Thank you to the behind the scenes members of the Seahawks organization.

Thank you for having such complete faith in a region that many in the nation had written off as a backwater, small market franchise that might occasionally get lucky enough to shine briefly on occasion, but would never be able  to obtain such a dominating championship win.

This week that all changed.

Now that the off season has officially started, the 12s have several months to bask in the glow of the national championship spotlight and bask we will.

Seahawks, take this time and embrace every second of the moment.

Your enjoyment is our enjoyment and we will be ready this fall to join with you again on this wonderful roller coaster of a journey called professional football.

Go Hawks!

Colleen Smidt  is a long time resident of Bremerton and writes a weekly column on issues that matter to residents of Bremerton and the Central Kitsap area.