You know the saying ‘everything happens for a reason’? Well, we’re firm believers that that is a true statement – and this story is proof.
In September of 2019, a young Dutch woman was flying to the United States for business and purchased a SIM card so that she could have a U.S. number for the duration of the trip. Little did she know – the number previously belonged to someone else at one point.
The woman had no idea that her number would be involved with a group text of dudes who were Buffalo football fans.
The funny thing is – instead of telling the group that they had made a mistake and blocked their numbers, the woman had an entire story unfold that absolutely makes our day.
Amanda Perino shared her story on Facebook – it begins:
“A story (bear with me it’s long but it’s a good one): In September while in the States for work, I bought a US SIM card so that I could have a US number and use my phone for emails and work. Almost immediately I found myself pulled into an ongoing group chat with 10 other numbers. At first I ignored it thinking it would eventually stop, but my phone continued to ping with messages.
It turns out I had chosen a number that someone had recently given up. This was a group of Buffalo Bills fans, and this was their fantasy football group chat.
Eventually I messaged the group: ‘Hey, not sure who you think this number belongs to, but I just signed up to this number myself so I think your friend lost it. :( My bad!'”
Amanda thought that the group would remove her from the list – but instead, they did quite the opposite.
“If that’s true I feel bad for you” said one.
“Hahahahahahaha welcome to the sh*t show” said another.
“I’ve been trying to leave this for a year”. etc, etc.
I asked again: “No chance of leaving me off this thread, huh?”
“It would probably be easier to change your number again” one replied.
Amanda continued to listen to the football-fanatic-themed conversation – Beer, Bills, food, bros, the loop would continue. At first, Amanda was a bit peeved by all of the notifications that were pinging her phone. But then? She started to look forward to them.
“They were funny dudes. It became my entertainment that week while I was in the States for work.
I started to join in with a smart ass comment here and there, and in no time I was chatting in the thread as if I knew them.
They referred to each other by nicknames or initials, so in order to follow the conversation better, I even saved their names in my phone under “Buffalo” so I could figure out who was who: Buffalo Sterner, Buffalo KT, Buffalo Niver, Buffalo BG, Buffalo Horse, Buffalo Sam, Buffalo Rymac.
(Yes, I know, too much time on my hands.)
My new number had previously belonged to one of the group named “KG”, so they started calling me “New KG” or “NKG” for short.
“New KG didn’t chose this thread, this thread chose you” one joked.”
So now, she was “NKG” and there was just one problem – they didn’t know she was a female. There had been no reason to bring it up.
The group insisted the NKG show up to the game and party and the tailgate!
“I couldn’t make it to that game so last minute….but that got me thinking. I already had to be in NYC in October for work. NYC to Buffalo was a mere 80 minute flight… 🤔
“Where are the Bills the weekend of Oct 18?” I asked.
Turns out it was a home game against Miami.
“COME TO THE MIAMI GAME” they said.
(I think you can see where this story is going.) 😆”
NKG agreed to come to the game in Miami, and although the group wanted proof that she was going to show up – Amanda kept things a mystery. Her plan was just to show up in Miami and arrive at the tailgate party with a shirt that said ‘NKG’ as if she belonged there – which she did! She was invited after all!
“Needless to say, their faces when I walked up to the tailgate and flashed my “NKG” shirt were PRICELESS. I wish I had filmed it! No one could believe I was a chick, or that I’d actually shown up.
Long story short (if you’re still reading), it was a great surprise and they turned out to be as fun in person as they were on the chat (only slightly less bro chat…slightly), and I had an AMAZING time with them, their partners and their friends. From the tailgate (my first ever!) we went into the Bills game (my first football game ever!).”
At the end of the day, Amanda made some great, new friends – and the Bills won!
See Amanda’s full Facebook post below – along with a couple of updates and sidenotes!