The year I first saw Emily was 2015. My sister was in town from New York that weekend so I took her to a Dodger Game. Those were the good old days of Vin Scully and Farmer John Dodger Dogs. Helene asked me if I was currently seeing anyone, but the conversation quickly turned towards the game. From the Left Field Loge I was telling her about how I liked Nancy Bee, and that my favorite player was Scott Van Slyke (since it rhymes with Dyke). That’s when I saw her. “Since when did they decide to do this Dodger Ball Girl thing?”, I thought. Was it a promotional thing? Did it serve any practical purpose? I didn’t know. “That girl is kind of cute”, I said to Helene. She agreed. I might’ve yelled “I Love You Emily!”, but don’t quote me on that. Helene laughed. Suddenly I realised I was just another crush in the crowd. In the following seasons I saw her at dozens of games. The Carlos Gonzales 3 Run HR post 2 hour rain delay (5/14/14). The Giancarlo Stanton HR that went over the pavilion (5/12/15). The Corey Seager go-ahead Grand Slam against the Reds (6/11/17). I can’t say that I saw Emily #90 at every game, but I can admit that when she was there, I noticed that I was there too. Be still my heart; I always knew I was just another crush in the crowd. When I realised that I didn’t have a chance, I ventured out. There was nothing tying me down to Dodger Ball Girl. I moved to New York and flirted with the Yankees for a bit. She was new to me. She had rings. She was super cool. Culturally different. But DBG was always on my mind. On the TV I kept my eye on that 3rd base line during the ‘17-’18 Post Seasons. I might not have seen her. But I knew she was there. In the end, I was 3,000 miles away. Now I’m digging a hole for myself in the “How We Met” segment for our wedding website, so let me finish the story… I moved back to Los Angeles in 2021 as another battle hardened victim of the pandemic with my tail between my legs. Two days later by the Grace of God I was offered an Estate Management job in Hollywood. The pursuit for Dodger Ball Girl was back on. I went to the Ravine to no avail. I inquired with our well known bartender friends at Dodger Stadium. Taco Shops. Vons. Jiffy Lube. I was aware that Dodger Ball Girl might’ve become just like me: Another hard working American in Los Angeles. I chose the last resort imaginable: Bumble. Swiping right to the point, there she was. She was cute. Production Coordinator. Grew up in Downey. Single. Dog. Dodger fan. “Who are you really a fan of?” she asked me. After mansplaning the kosher-ness between AL and NL, I asked her why she cared. “I used to work for the Dodgers”, she said. “No Way!” I replied. “Concessions? Front Office?” I asked. “I used to be the Ball Girl”, Emily replied. On June 29th, 2021, I came down from the crowd and finally met the girl of my dreams.

We met on Bumble.