On Dec. 2, 2010, FIFA awarded Qatar hosting rights to one of the most popular sporting events on the planet – the 2022 World Cup.

The decision shocked the world, and thrust Qatar into a spotlight that only grows brighter by the day. The summer heat, growing labor rights abuses and oddly-shaped stadiums are only some of the things that the international media has focused on in the past three years.

But in the beginning, when Sepp Blatter opened the envelope that arguably changed Qatar’s future course, many residents here were not thinking about those problems – they were celebrating.

Here are some of the memories they shared today:

What would you add? Thoughts?