From the beginning of my *NSYNC fan-dom in 98’, I have always wanted to meet *NSYNC, if not all-at least Chris Kirkpatrick (since I already have had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Joey Fatone and the fact that Chris IS my favorite of the five), I promised myself that I would never faint, scream (not at them, anyway), and certainly NEVER EVER cry.

On Friday, August 10th, my dream started to slowly come true. I have never been so excited and nervous in my whole life as I was starting at 2pm. Chris was suppose to do the FuManSkeeto Invasion tour at our ATL Perimeter mall and I was SO ready. I was the third one there ready to camp out for August 11th early morning events. The LONG day and LONG night were exhausting and wonderful at the same time. I met many fans that traveled from places like Cincinnati, Chicago, and South Carolina, as well as the surrounding ATL area. It was crazy and exciting. Finally, the time came when we were given the bracelets to allow us to meet Mr. Kirkpatrick. I had been contemplating what to say to him. I wanted to tell him that he was my favorite, that he had a beautiful voice, that I was currently making him a gift, but I couldn’t finish it in time for the signing, that I appreciate everything he does for the fans, and to esp. THANK HIM for being him.

Unfortunately, about the time wristbands were being distributed I got incredibly sick, sicker than I have EVER felt in my life, and I considered turning back because I did not want to get sick ON Chris, and certainly did not want to put myself in that position to see him and be feeling awful, I had not slept in two days, or eaten anything so it was those factors as well as anticipation and the thought of meeting someone I highly respected and have been yearning to meet for so long that made me so sick. After praying to God several times consecutively, I decided that I would regret it forever if I decided to leave and not get the chance to meet Chris. After, we FINALLY got inside, I felt better, God helped me through the store to get our final places before Chris came out. Immediately, I began having fun again and not focusing on the given event that was about to happen.

Woody, a DJ from 95.5 THE BEAT radio station was hosting the event and with a microphone in hand and a camera on him at his every move, he was broadcasting right in front of us to everyone in and outside of Nordstrom’s on a HUGE jumbo-tron and TVs everywhere, displaying us LIVE. It was all really overwhelming for me, and Woody caught onto that, when he looked at me and said softly into his microphone, “Are you excited to meet Chris?” and I shook my head no, “I’m scared as can be.” And I was…. incredibly scared. I mean, this person has been put directly on a pedal stool right in front of my face by myself as well as the media for a long time, and I could not imagine coming face to face with him. I was downright frightened and honestly NEVER thought I would be that way. I always imagined I would be so cool and play it like I didn’t like them that much and just act like I always do, but I almost couldn’t handle it, it was crazy what it did to me. Woody was surprised to hear that, seeing as those I was about sixth in line when we entered the store and so he decided I needed practice. I did NOT want attention (esp. then), at least not when there are more than 500 fans watching as well as my family on the sidelines (to remember those moments to humiliate you later) and all my crew in the front of the line, laughing and screaming at me….so I was not wanting to “practice” with Woody or anyone on how I was gonna react when it was my turn to see Chris….BUT my wonderful crew as well as others I didn’t know, basically made me enter the into camera focus for everyone to see….along with Woody.

A fan about twenty people behind me just happened to bring the life-size Chris stand-up display that he did for Child Watch from Texaco for Chris to sign, so Woody brought me over to her to “meet and practice” on Chris. I could have died. On Camera shown to everyone, Woody hid behind the display and started talking to me “through” Chris. You can see it here. I could hardly hear him over the enormous laughter (which was esp. coming from my crew-thanks) but I did make out “How YOU doing” (like Joey on Friends) and all I could do was turn BRIGHT red and laugh, cause it was funny but so unbelievably embarrassing. Everyone started saying, “kiss him!” so I just simply kissed my fingers and planted my hand on his mouth (cardboard mouth that is). I do have to admit, that did make me feel a little less sick and more happy, BUT I couldn’t even look at Chris in cardboard form let alone be prepared to do it in real life, I was scared stiff.

So, I had brought name tags to wear to meet some online friends so they would know who I was before the concert, but I decided to wear one to be “stupid” so I wouldn’t have to say “Hi, I’m Carolyn” and just put that on my name tag. Well, my crew of about six peeps, decided it would be fun to all wear name tags. One friend in front of me (whom I convinced to come meet Chris-not a huge fan-YET) had her name tag say “I’m with stupid” as well as an arrow pointing towards the next in line, which just HAPPENED to be me, and can you believe she Actually MEANT it to be for me…I had been acting fairly goofy between the sick spats and whatnot, so I was given the nickname “Stupid” and we mutually decided that it would be kinda new and interesting to try to make Chris chuckle so we did it, she had her name tag and mine stated “Hi, I’m Carolyn aka stupid” so we laughed over it, ha ha ha, and then quickly forgot about our geniuses in name tagging when Chris came through those doors. I about died. Not only is he more gorgeous in real life, but he was so skinny (not to say he was ever fat, but much skinner than I thought he was). The first one in line went, then second, con’t at will….with them passing Nordstrom employees on the way. When it was my turn to pass them, I turned to them and mouthed “I am SO scared” with them smiling big and saying “You’re gonna be fine” Another crew member of mine behind me had the video camera going (which she conveniently used when I was center of attention as well…grrr…) when a bodyguard said “maim you are gonna have to turn that off” and she said “well, since you asked SO nicely” (which he did), and he grinned the cutest grin, this is when I realize that I am now NEXT in line to meet Chris.

Chris said to my friend in front of me “Nice Tag you got there” and in which she replied “well you are about to meet stupid” and pulled my arm, with my crew behind me gently pushing me ahead (I had taken a step back, scared to death) and Chris looked at me, AT ME, AHHH, and said “oh, so YOU are stupid” and I said “yea, I guess I am stupid” ( Homer style) and he said “well its nice to meet ya stupid” in which I replied “its nice to finally meet you” (shaking horribly by this time) and then silence (AHHH, can’t have silence so “stupid” Carolyn forgets ALL the things she intended to say to him and said….) “I really like your clothing line, its COOL” (and not that that was a HORRIBLE thing to say, but being so generic and whatnot, I was ashamed of myself) to which he gave me my signed photo and looked up at me and smiled with “Thanks sweetie” and an unbelievable wink. I about died; literally I was in hog heaven! Now, I was floating towards the end of my passage, and what did I do?…..I shed a few tears quietly (not sobbing granted but still), like I said I would NEVER do. It’s amazing that someone like him could do that to me, ALL that to me. I was amazed.

And guess what, that isn’t even the best part. My crew was still getting things signed and having their moment, when finally we all were back together again and my friend who was four places behind me came up to me and said “Carolyn, Chris asked where stupid was?” and I was like, “what?” and she said that he saw her name tag (cause we all conveniently wore them in my crew) which stated “I’m Jessica also from Chicago” cause her sister in front of her stated “I’m Kate from Chicago” and Jessica said he looked at her tag and said, “hey, where’s stupid?” and she pointed over to me at the side, and said “she’s over there” and when she was telling me this, I was like “OH MY GOSH, why would he ask that if he didn’t think it was kinda funny” I am so glad we did that “Stupid” thing (pardon the pun) but maybe JUST maybe he will remember me. Ya know, even if it is because I was marked as stupid (so much for trying to make jokes after staying up more than 24 hours in a parking lot…your friends call ya names)

I am just glad to have had the experience and memory of a lifetime. I love him more than before and respect his daily life of performance and career of making the fans happy more so than ever. I was so enthralled with him and his ability to reach people, I am more amazed and more blessed that I got to meet him, and actually got through it alive. Meeting him also made me realize, and I never want to go to an *NSYNC’s boys house (again) or treat them high on a pedal stool, they are real everyday people, just with a camera in their face and a unique incredible talent. It was the best….BOY you thought that was a long story, that was JUST the beginning of my fun filled day of *NSYNC adventure, but if you want more...go here!