Being a Patriots fan is the equivalent to being 10 years old and every day is Christmas.

This year Christmas came at the end of February when TB12 and the New England Patriots agreed to a two-year contract extension through the 2019 season. Talk about good tidings and joy.

Brady's career as starting quarterback began in 2001, a difficult, heartbreaking time for New England following the 9/11 attacks. Brady took over for Drew Bledsoe, who started for New England for nearly eight years, until he was injured in a game against the New York Jets and never regained his position.

Brady proved he was resilient, a leader, and had a hell of an arm. He made New England proud when he secured a win in his first Super Bowl vs. the Saint Louis Rams and received the game's MVP award.

Now a veteran with 16 years and four rings under his belt, Brady will have the opportunity to break records with wins, touchdowns, yards, game winning drives, 4th quarter comebacks... The list continues.

By the time the 2019 season is over, Rob Gronkowski will be turning 30 years old and Tom Brady is going to be Old Man Jenkins out in Gillette Stadium taking hits from stronger, younger players. The thought is scary to say the least. Although, with Bill Belichick as their coach, anything is possible, right?

So with the extra two-year gift from the NFL gods, I would like to take a moment to appreciate some of the glory the Patriots have brought to New England since Brady became starting QB.

And to the non-New Englanders: You love to hate us, but why wouldn't you? We've had scandals, we whine when we don't win and we have the largest ego of any football fan. Sometimes it's exhausting being a New England fan in New England and having to prove why you're such a fan, because it doesn't even seem authentic. But anyway, we can thank Tommy for that.

2004: When people think Super Bowl XXXVIII, maybe they think about Janet Jackson's halftime show wardrobe malfunction. However, I think about the game of ping-pong touchdown the Patriots played against the Carolina Panthers. One minute remains in the game and they're tied at 29. Pats have the ball and the chance to win with a field goal, and the pressure builds for kicker Adam Vinatieri who was 0-2 that night. And good looks to you Vinatieri for helping us win our third Super Bowl in four years and not pulling a Blair Walsh.

2008: I couldn't forget one of the greatest downfalls in Pat's history. Everyone hated the Patriots for being so good, even if you were a fan, because the pressure of winning was too much to handle. Take my roommate's uncle for example, this guy has season tickets and is a die-hard fan, but he TiVo'd the Super Bowl instead of watching it live because he couldn't fathom the stress.

The Patriots held a perfect record all year and lost to the New York Giants in the most important game of the season. Eight years later, New England fans still don't hear the end of it. Regardless, Pats went undefeated for an entire regular season, and that's a rarity in the NFL. Tom Brady said at the post-game conference, "you win as a team and you lose as a team...I'd rather come to this game and lose than not get here." Cam Newton could learn a thing or two from Brady about how to act during a disheartening post-game interview.

2015: Super Bowl XLIX vs. the Seattle Seahawks. Marshawn Lynch was just there so he didn't get fined, and Malcolm Butler was there to make grown men cry. In case you were living under a rock for this Super Bowl, I'll set the scene: there's less than 30 seconds left in the 4th quarter, 28-24 Patriots. The Seahawks set up on the ONE yard line and are just moments away from winning their second consecutive Super Bowl. Malcolm Butler said "not on my watch" and intercepted the ball at the goal line putting an end to the game. During the most edge-of-your-seat moment in NFL history, this rookie solidified the statement "it's not over until it's over."

Brady's time in red, white and blue can't last forever, but what an honor it is to know that he will be retiring in the uniform he started with. And of course, New England fans can be spoiled for a few years more.

26 more Sunday's to go...