A group of friends from Lina's floor in Broward Hall all headed to the off-campus KA tailgate for the Ole Miss game. Lina entered her first ever "tailgate" experience and was met with crowds of sweaty people, a flabongo (IYKYK), and one TV broadcasting the Gator Game in the center of a living room. She noticed a KA pledge with long blond hair and a stoic expression watching the game more intently than anyone else. Intrigued by his seriousness, she stood a few steps away and watched the Gators play. Nick soon noticed a girl who was both pretty and actually watching the game. He moved closer and struck up a conversation. After basic introductions, Lina was pulled off somewhere by her friends, and they went their separate ways. Later, during the third quarter, Lina found herself back in the living room, straining to see the TV screen over the heads of twenty-something people crammed in watching the game. A familiar figure was still in his post where he had a clear view. She tapped his shoulder and asked for the score. For the next ten minutes, they watched together through the same window in the sea of heads and shoulders. On a fourth down with only a few yards to go, Nick asked Lina what she thought the Gators would do - take the field goal or go for it. She guessed they would kick the field goal. And she was right! He probably fell in love right then and there. ;)

After declining a few invitations to functions, Lina decided to give Nick a chance. They arranged an evening date to the stadium. It was locked but only a short, easily-surpassed barrier blocked the entry. They wandered the bleachers in the moonlight and Nick showed Lina the seats he grew up watching Gator games in. They talked about their families, aspirations, and what makes them tick. Nick dropped Lina back off at her dorm where she spent more time thinking about how his passion for the his loved ones, interests, and convictions hinted at an integrity she could admire. The next time Nick invited Lina on a KA date function, she said yes (pictured below).