I’m not the sharpest tool in the shed, but when the universe gives you a wink and a nod, I’ve learned to appreciate the ride!

Case in point … after several attempts at finding the best date to meet with our friends at American Airlines in Fort Worth, we settled on Dec. 1. I always appreciate the opportunity to meet face to face with clients — it’s something I certainly don’t take for granted any more in our post-COVID, highly Zoomed world.

In addition, CEO Fran Gallagher and I were also able to check out a location for next year’s The Trazees awards, to be held during the annual GBTA Convention in Dallas next summer. Seeing a potential venue while meeting with clients is always a win-win — and under normal circumstances, I would’ve been more than happy simply going two for two.

But the universe had a third trick up its sleeve, just for me.

You see, the first weekend in December is widely known as “championship weekend” in college football. And last weekend my alma mater, Kansas State University, found its way into the championship game against undefeated Texas Christian University. TCU beat us earlier in the year, and K-State fans were eager for revenge — especially because the game was scheduled to be played at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, and an easy “home game” for the Horned Frogs of Fort Worth.

I happen to have a brother who lives in Dallas with his family, making it super easy for me to extend my time in Dallas and snag some tickets to the big game.

And it was worth every ounce of awesome you can muster.

K-State led most of the game but ended up in overtime against a TCU team that just wouldn’t quit (and, seriously, someone give Max Duggan the Heisman already). After holding TCU on fourth and one, then kicking a field goal to win in overtime, the Wildcats secured their first Big XII Championship since 2012. I laughed and screamed the entire time, enjoying every moment of my time with my brother and random K-State fans in our section. Winning is great fun, and winning on the road against the No. 3 team in the nation is deliciously sweet, indeed!

This massive aligning of the stars is certainly not lost on me … K-State had to qualify for the game, the game isn’t always held in Dallas, our professional meetings could’ve been any other weekend of the year, and my brother was in town looking for a fellow KSU football buddy with whom to enjoy the game.

And did I mention I met Vince Young?

Thanks universe. That’s a whole lot of awesome I won’t soon forget!

— Carrie Cox, account executive