So to be finally walking down Wembley Way again on a sunny Saturday morning, after eight seasons traipsing aroud the highways and byways on the way to Twickenham, Murrayfield and Cardiff was a beautiful moment.
It certainly sent a shiver down my spine.
Inside, the new Wembley lacks the feeling of history that made the old stadium so special, but that will come in time as the game unearths new heroes and new villains to follow in the footsteps of the great names of the past.
Even with a less than gripping spectacle on show, the atmosphere was impressive.
I cannot wait to be in attendance when the on-field product merits classic status.

SOME people have short memories.
Sharing a seat with a Wakefield Trinity supporter on the Tube on the way into the capital, we got chatting about the big game.
And this particular Wildcat didn't fight shy of showing her claws when it came to the Catalans Dragons.
"They deserve everything they get," she opined, predicting a landslide St Helens victory. "Half their team are Australian anyway....."
That, presumably, is entirely different to the Wakefield line up that did so splendidly to avoid relegation last season.
That particular squad contained Colum Halpenny, Jason Demetriou, Semi Tadulala, Ben Jeffries, Sam Obst, Adam Watene, Tevita Leo Latu, Michael Korkidas, Duncan MacGilvray, David Solomona, Monty Betham and probably a couple more who have slipped my mind.
Which means Mick Potter's Dragons have got more French players in their set up this year than Wakefield, and plenty of other Super League clubs for that matter, have had bona fide Englishmen over the last few seasons.
Pot, kettle and black were the words which sprang readily to mind.

WHAT do you do if you've got three hours to kill before a Challenge Cup final?
Well, if you're a bunch of rugby league writers you sit around trying to answer trivial questions such as this one: how many sets of brothers have played in Super League?
Without the use of record books, we came up with 25, some of whom are more famous than others.
I wouldn't pretend it's a definitive list, but I am intrigued to see how many, if any, we missed.
So, if anyone can come up with 25 or more - preferably without visiting the library or using t'internet, although I realise temptation may be too much for some - then I am prepared to give away a signed Halifax ball from my personal collection of memorabilia. Generous, eh?
For the record, they don't have to have played in the same team, but they obviously do need to have featured in a first team Super League game.
You can send your answers on a postcard to: James Roberts, Sports Desk, Halifax Evening Courier, King Cross Street, Halifax, HX1 2SF.
In the event of a tie or any disputes, the judge's decision - ie mine - will be final. I'll give you all a couple of weeks and then publish the list.