Every Pull Up & Play has its own personality, and July 20 was one of those nights that reminded us community has a funny way of coming together.
We were excited to welcome back Ms. Tynisa, who returned this time with her sister. If I had to describe the two of them in one word, it'd be a hoot. They fit right in from the start.
One of the funniest moments of the night happened during a game of Uno. Tynisa's sister had been laying down what she called "trains"—cards in consecutive order like 3, 4, 5 or even 9, 8, 7. Queenin caught on before the rest of us and paused the game.
Once we realized what was happening, somebody joked, "Well, I could've been out if that's how we were playing!"
That one comment sent us into one of those moments where everyone is laughing, explaining the rules, and teasing each other all at the same time. We got everyone on the same page, shuffled up, and kept the games rolling.
Ty also brought some super fun coloring books that i think will be incorporated into the weekly Game Night, and being a crafty person myself I don't pass up the chance on a nice coloring session.
Not long after, Ebony pulled up, and later in the evening we welcomed someone completely new.
An active-duty military service member traveling home after the Chris Brown concert in Charlotte had made a stop in Raleigh. Looking for something to do on a Monday night, he searched Eventbrite and somehow landed on Pull Up & Play.
Out of all the events happening around the city, he found us.
What started as a random stop became an evening filled with great conversation. We talked about his travels, heard stories from life in active service, laughed together, and before long he felt less like a visitor and more like someone who had always been sitting at the table with us.
If you're reading this, thank you for choosing to spend part of your journey with us. It was a pleasure meeting you, and we hope our paths cross again someday.
That's the beautiful thing about community.
Some people hear about us from a friend. Some return week after week. Others find us while they're simply passing through town, looking for somewhere to belong for a few hours.
However they arrive, they become part of the story.
That's what Found Us Along the Way means to us. Community isn't about how you got here—it's about what happens once you do.