Laura messaged first to begin the conversation (NBD). CT leveraged Nash to secure a first date. Talk about stars aligning, Giancarlo Stanton AND Aaron Judge would be in Durham the following weekend (June 16) to complete their rehab assignments with the minor league Yankee affiliates – what a great first date opportunity! Desperate to impress this girl, CT bought tickets behind the dugout for the game hoping she would join him. CT showed up to the ballpark early to witness his hero, #99, take batting practice. As he stood towering over the 12 year olds also anxiously waiting for the Yankee giant to come sign baseballs, CT’s Yankee jersey dripped with sweat from the steamy North Carolina sun. Laura still hadn’t confirmed his date invite, so after batting practice concluded, he grabbed a beer to healthfully calm his nerves. 1st inning – nothing from Laura 2nd inning – nothing from Laura (RBI Single by Aaron Judge!) 3rd inning – a text from Laura!! She conveyed she was still at home trying to sell her Jeep top. ‘Yea, okay,’ CT thought. ‘she’s not coming, may as well enjoy the game.’ 4th inning – nothing from Laura 5th inning – a call from Laura!! As soon as he answered and heard her voice: butterflies. He could feel her sunshine radiating through the phone. ‘Oh boy, don’t screw this up’ She came walking up the stairs to the stadium where CT was waiting with a giant smile on his face. In her pictures, she was a babe. In person, she was gorgeous. Fortunately, CT rose to the occasion and brought his A-game. He greeted her with a kiss on the cheek. Unprecedented! The two connected immediately. CT offered to get Gonzo’s Tacos and Margaritas - Laura swooned. Laura laughed at all of his jokes – CT grew more confident. The two laughed and talked for the entirety of the game. Neither knows how the game ended, but neither wanted the game to end. Before saying goodbye, CT took a shot: “Hey um I had really great time with you annnnnd I don’t want this night to end…want to go to an art museum, grab a drink, and laugh at how unsophisticated I am?” She smiled and obliged. With the top down on Laura’s Jeep Wrangler, the two jammed to Bob Seegar and Bruce Springsteen. Contrary to what she may say today, Laura loved CT belting out most of the correct lyrics at the top of his lungs. True to his word, CT knew nothing of art or artists causing endless amounts of laughter from Laura. Through his unintelligible ramblings, CT was summoning the courage to give this girl a kiss. Call it liquid courage or divine intervention, but on the third floor of the museum-like a Stuka dive bomber he went in for the kiss! The skies parted, angels sang, and the two fell in love. As with most things in life, we owe this love story to puppies, tacos, and sports. #TogetherTheTalevis