Joe Burrow never expected a simple trip to the animal shelter to turn into one of his favorite memories. It was supposed to be a quick visit—something lighthearted to do on a quiet day. He hadn’t gone in planning to adopt, but the moment the two of you stepped inside, everything changed.

There she was. A tiny, wide-eyed kitten nestled in the corner of her enclosure, barely big enough to be noticed. Joe stopped in his tracks, staring through the glass like he’d just spotted something priceless. You joined him, peeking in at the fluffy little thing. She looked up at both of you with this unspoken kind of hope in her eyes.

“She’s kind of perfect,” he murmured.

You smiled, already sensing what was about to happen. “So much for just looking.”

He chuckled but didn’t argue. Minutes later, he was filling out paperwork, asking the staff a million questions about kitten care, and making sure everything was just right. In the car, the kitten curled into your lap while Joe drove with one hand on the wheel and the other occasionally reaching over to scratch behind her ear.

The two of you spent the rest of the evening at home—introducing her to cozy blankets, laughing when she clumsily pounced on your shoelaces, and trying to agree on a name. She quickly made herself at home, climbing onto Joe’s chest and falling asleep there like she’d always belonged.

Wrapped in that quiet moment, with you beside him and the tiniest new addition snuggled into the mix, Joe smiled to himself. It wasn’t a big moment in front of thousands of fans or a victory on the field. But it felt just as important.

Because home, it turned out, could be found in the simplest of moments—with you and a kitten he didn’t know he needed.