The Bear Gets It.

As a 35 year old man, you don't sit down next to Twins Mascot TC Bear without some trepidation. You're clearly in kid territory when you're posing with him. In fact, you're clogging up the photo line in front of several kids.

You're not sure their parents understand.

A space opens for you beside the bear and you sit down. You look to the bear. He slowly nods his giant, fuzzy head.

Do you say anything? It's not like he can say anything back.

You briefly remember there is a human being inside the suit. You wish you hadn't.

Your friend takes the pictures. You hope the guy in the bear suit forgets your old ass as soon as the next person sits down next to him.

The pictures are taken and you stand to leave. You need closure.

You offer TC Bear a fist bump. It is important he handle this properly. He does. He raises a paw and, with a cool, cultivated tilt of his head proceeds to fist bump you in an appropriate manner.

You look into his eyes. They're fake, but the emotion is real. TC Bear gets it. You may be a person and he may be a bear. Or a person in a bear suit. But at the end of the day, a fan's a fan.

And every fan ought to take a picture with the team mascot.

I don't know who is inside that suit, but he has the patience of a saint. (pretty sure it is a male)

I've seen him hounded by kids and he's always so good to them.

I'm a nice guy, but I don't know if I could do that.