For my creative writing class I had to write about a life event. Without question I chose the night I met Taylor! Sorry it's so long, I just had to put every detail because this memory is so special to me! I hope you like it! :) I love you for reading this! P.S. I was kind of afraid to post my story because I didn't want to come off as bragging. I believe that one day you all will meet Taylor!

Long Live
I think everyone has one of those dreams that seems so out of reach and impossible, to the point where they find themselves imagining it and playing it over and over in their head at night before they go to sleep. Hoping one day that my dream would become a reality, I did the same. Closing my eyes, I would make a wish and I promised I would never let it go. It is still a dream to me today because I can’t believe it became real. Side by side, face to face, with my idol, inspiration, and hero.
Glitter, sparkles, and everything else that could possibly be defined as “pretty”, was found in this scrapbook. I created a project in honor of Taylor Swift called the “The Journal for Taylor Project”. I asked fans to send in letters from all over the world who wanted to participate in the tribute to her. Luckily, I received amazing feedback. Fans sent in letters from Germany, France, and many other countries to show Taylor how much she has really made an impact on their lives and inspires them. After six months of planning and preparing this project ahead of time before the concert in May, it was incredible seeing the finished product. I knew in my mind that getting this to Taylor was nearly impossible, but I didn’t listen to my pessimistic thoughts. I was determined to succeed because I just wanted Taylor to know how much she has changed my life for the better, as well as touch so many other’s hearts. It all came down to the week before the concert. It was game time.
I could feel my heart racing in my chest. My hands couldn’t keep still because of all the excitement running through my veins. My best friends and I unbuckled are seat belts and stared in awe of the beautiful Qwest Center in front of us. “OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH!” I repeated to myself wide-eyed. It was finally here! My mom carefully tucked the scrapbook (AKA my pride and joy) in my backpack so I could get it passed security. Before we went inside, my mom took pictures of our smiling faces holding our “WE HEART TAYLOR” poster. My friends and I arrived at the arena two hours before the concert started so we could have time to look around. I felt a certain buzz in the air and a funny feeling in my stomach. We decided that we needed to find a way to get the gift to Taylor somehow before the concert. The security guards suggested that we take it to the customer service desk, but I had a bad feeling about that. I talked to the people manning the desk and they said that they “promised” that they would get it to “her people”. Funny thing is, as the lady continued to “promise” I saw someone in the background pick up an old box as if my gift that I worked on for six months, was just going to end up in that black hole. I gripped the precious scrapbook with the hands of life and backed away from the women slowly, denying her offer. To be honest, as hard as I worked on it along with all the love and care, I refused to give it up. My gut told me “no”. It was an hour before the show and we still had no luck. In the back of my mind I began to doubt the fact that it was going to work out. Thankfully my friends told me not to give up because there had to be some way. How? Contacting a famous country/pop star isn’t exactly Google material. Time was ticking away and I began running out of ideas. We strolled casually through the concourse of the Qwest Center watching clusters of people buying concessions. Almost every poster on the walls were Covergirl ads of Taylor and every time I saw one I made a wish that she would know that I existed. Things begin to change.
My friends and I found ourselves turning the corner behind the stage area where there were more concessions. Little girls were sitting in chairs that said Covergirl and their faces were lit by the mirrors as Covergirl makeup artists were giving some fans makeovers. I smiled at the cuteness and we continued our venture. Something felt different to me, I still had a glimmer of hope that something was going to happen. My friends continued to walk in front of me until they noticed that I had stopped. My eyes were wide as if I were a deer in the headlights. My mouth dropped and I couldn’t make a sound. I could feel the hairs on my arm stand on end and a magical rush of excitement, shock, and disbelief empower me. I was in my own little world. Until I snapped back into reality hearing my friends say my name and ask me what was wrong. It was then when I burst out in a shaky voice. “That’s... Taylor’s... Dad. That’s... Taylor... Swift’s... Dad.” They looked at me puzzled. I didn’t believe it myself, but being the fan that I am, my eyes knew. My eyes knew her family. It only took one simple micro-second of a glance and my senses went wild. My concert buddies didn’t believe me. They asked “Are you sure?” They looked at me like I had gone crazy. I looked them in the eyes to show them I was sure. It hit them. “Go for it, Halie! Go talk to him!” With my bones shaking and a coolness on my skin, I threw out all the insecurities of being a fool and went up to him. Hugging the scrapbook close to me on my lap, my friends tagged along behind me. I simply said in a nervous “Hi!”. Without a second look he said “Hi There!” What have you got?” He smiled at me and I smiled at him. I knew who he was so I felt proud to be such a fan of his daughter. He gently grasped the scrapbook out of my hands and I had to loosen my hold because I was protective of it. I went on to tell him the whole story of what it was, why I made it, and how important Taylor is to me. I couldn’t stop the tears, it was too much. I couldn’t believe my hero’s father was standing in front of me. He said in a sweet and kind voice as of a father or a grandfather “Oh don’t cry, you’ll get the floor wet!” jokingly. Then, like magic he pulled out of his pocket some gifts for me and stuffed them in my purse. A handful of guitar picks, a Taylor Swift Bracelet, and a flashlight that says her name on it. I couldn’t stop the tears from flowing down my face in an endless waterfall of makeup. Mr. Scott Swift held the scrapbook like a child and carefully flipped through the pages. With each turn of a page he was astonished. He told me that he never he has never seen anything liked it, and admired all of the details put into it. With a teary-eyed and cracked voice I explained to Scott that all I wanted was the scrapbook to get to Taylor, forgetting the idea that he was her dad. He assured me that he would take it to her immediately. As Scott was about to go off and deliver the gift, he asked me for my phone number. I was in wonder. My friend wrote it down for me because my hands were too shaky, than he slipped it inside the book and we parted ways. My friends and I looked at each other. “Did that actually just happen?” Handfuls of tissues in my hand, I tried to compose myself. Before I could do anything else I had to call my mom to relay the exciting news. Taylor Swift was indeed getting my gift. Everything seemed to fall into place for such average human beings. In tears “Mom.... We just met Taylor Swift’s dad!!!” I could hear the lump collecting in her throat, as she said “WHAT?! Oh my gosh!!” I replied “Yeah! He’s going to give it to her!” The words that were spewing out of my mouth seemed like something that I would dream about. None of it seemed real. I told my mom that I had to go because the concert was about to begin. I hung up the phone and wiped the tears from my eyes and my friends and I continued to somberly walk back to our seats inside the arena, talking a mile a minute.
My phone was going dead and I panicked. I had this horrifying thought in my head as if Taylor’s dad was going to call, but I wouldn’t be able to answer because my phone completely shut off. I kept hoping that the battery would hold on a little longer. My friend, Hannah suggested that we should have given him her number too, just in case this type of thing would happen, but it was too late now. I tried to ignore the thought. My friends and I continued our walk, this time with brimming smiles from ear to ear because our mission was successful. I loved going through the crowds of people that were looking at us because they didn’t know what just happened. They didn’t know our secret. They didn’t know that we just had a conversation with Taylor Swift’s dad and he was going to deliver my gift to her. Caught up in the moment, my phone began to vibrate in my hands. This was what I was waiting for. This was what I was anticipating. It was from an unrecognizable phone number. With a deep breath and fearlessness, I answered the caller. With one hand over my ear I muffled the background so I could hear them. “Hello?” Scott Swift answered, “Hi Halie! I gave your gift to Taylor and she loved it! Se would like to meet you!” I was speechless. Those words stringed together in one sentence couldn’t be any more perfect. I had to ask him to repeat himself just so I heard him right. My idol and inspiration... My hero... Once to meet me? Okay, this must be an insanely realistic dream come true. I was lost in his words. The noise of the crowd walking around the concourse began to overwhelm me. I unconsciously answered his questions. “Where are you and your friends siting so that I can come and find you?” I told him the section of where we were seated with butterflies in my stomach. He said, “Okay! I’ll meet you guys there in a few minutes!” I hung up the phone and explained what he said to my friends and we began running for our lives through the masses of fans to get back to the arena. In this moment, I knew my life was going to change. This was no longer an untouchable dream of mine that I imagine before I close my eyes, this was reality and living the fantasy.
We managed to make it to our seats just in time and I couldn’t imagine what the next few minutes was going to be like. Not even at our seats for more than a moment, Taylor’s dad seemed to appear in front of us like a magic man with his team of security guards around in a circle. Scott asked if we were ready to go and without question, my friends and I agreed that we were in unison. He put a special wristband around each of our wrists that gave us accessibility to be backstage. I felt like I was receiving the medal of honor. Cameras were flashing from every direction and the security system became tight. I felt like all eyes were on us as we proudly followed Mr. Swift out of the arena. We were a line of ducklings following the leader with security guards tagging along in front and behind. I couldn’t snap myself out of this dream state. This time, going through the crowds of fans, we were someone and not just average. My eyes became glazed over and my faced seemed to be in a permanent fixture of a smile. Following behind Taylor dad through crowds of screaming an obnoxious fans felt Noah’s Arc. It wasn’t Taylor Swift, but it was her dad, and her fans seemed to understand his status because they parted ways so perfectly and fluently that we had a flawless walkway. The end of the sea of fans lead to an elevator. Scott said to the usher, “These girls are going all the way down.” As if in code saying, “These girls are going backstage.” The usher smiled politely and pushed the button as the doors came to a close. I never thought an elevator ride with someone could be so important. I wanted time to freeze. This was an elevator ride with Taylor’s father! How many fans in the world have gotten to experience personal time with their idol’s family? I took advantage of that time and told him more about how his daughter has inspired me and touched my life, and he told me that that deserved brownie points and he filled my purse higher with guitar picks. The doors opened on the bottom floor. I was closer and closer to my dream every minute.
We were backstage and Scott, the proud father he was wanted to give us the VIP experience. By this point I was brain dead, I couldn’t even function. As soon as Scott lead us through the backstage curtain, this was it. I could just feel the magic in the air. It was as if my friends and I were already known by Taylor’s people because he simply announced with a smile that we were the ones with the scrapbook, and all of her management came over to us in a cluster. I had no idea what was happening. How could this amazing thing happen to us? The proud father promised a VIP tour and this is what we got. He treated my friends and I like we were part of the family and he called us by are names. First he showed us all of her bus, and of course the proper place to take a picture. Right before my eyes I looked inside the door of her traveling home, and my scrapbook was nestled safely inside. He suggested that I have my picture taken in front of that. I couldn’t agree more. As my friends kneeled beside me Scott Swift took a picture of US with HIS phone! Incredible right? If that’s not wonderous enough, he showed us Taylor’s most fabulous outfits. They were sparkly.
This was the moment I’ve always dreamed about, the grand finale! Scott asked if we were ready to meet Taylor. Is that even a question??? Obviously! I was so nervous. I couldn’ stop myself from this shaking episode. There was the line. That glorious line. The only line in my life that I’ve been in that was absolutely, without a doubt worth every single moment. Every single second of my time. Mr Scott wasn’t done with his surprises yet. He placed my friends and I in the very front of the meet and greet line. Asking again, “Are you ready to meet Taylor?” I said “Yes!” with the biggest smile on my face. He told me to take a deep breath and I said that I’ll be FEARLESS! Scott agreed and said “LONG LIVE!” I was about to meet Taylor in minutes and a million thoughts were flying through my mind. My friends were behind me and my heart was pounding. Scott told me I could go in, and as I proceeded forward, standing in front of me was Taylor Swift herself. My mind went to mush. Saying that she’s tall is an understatement because she towered over me. I looked up at her in awe. I repeated to myself, “Don’t forget this moment! Capture everything!” while I was trying to think of things to say. Before I knew it, she had her long, lanky arms wrapped around me in a tight hug. She smelled of Wonderstruck, her perfume of course. Taylor said in her musical voice with a hint of a southern accent, “Hey! How are you?” The moment she spoke I lost it. I sat there and stared at her beauty with my mouth dropped open for what seemed like hours. Then, the word vomit began. I kept rambling off the first things that came to my mind. Without remembering that her dad had given her the scrapbook ahead of time, I told her everything about it from the very beginning. She smiled and laughed. “I know! My dad showed it to me! Thank you so much!” Everything about her sparkled as I suspected. Her eye shadow glimmered simultaneously with her eyes. I told her how much she means to me and that she is my hero. I reached out my insanely short arms, compared to hers, and she welcomed my request for one more hug. I said that I loved her so much and she sweetly said that she loved me too. I can still hear her voice in my head.
After our hug session, It was time for us to get our picture taken together. I was so nervous because of the fact that my inspiration and hero was standing at my side. I couldn’t move. All I could do was try to smile because I was shaking. After our picture was taken, Taylor noticed my friends. Regardless of what the photographer said about only being allowed one picture, Taylor made an exception to that rule and invited my friends so we could have a group picture. “Come on y'all, let’s have another picture!” She said cheerfully. She put her arms around us and we smiled for the camera. When the picture was taken, we said our goodbyes and I told her how much I loved her and she said that I was so amazing and sweet. Not wanting to leave her, she said that she hopes we enjoy the show. As I left the room, I continued to announce that I loved her until she was no longer visible. I was Wonderstruck and enchanted to meet her.
Taylor’s sweet father walked us back to the elevator and we gave him our thanks for all that he did for us. With no hesitation, Scott hugged me and said that it was a pleasure to meet us, and we descended up the elevator without him. I will never forget looking at my friends and my friends looking at me in surprise. The concert hadn’t even started yet, and we already had the time of our lives... With Taylor Swift herself and her family. There was so much magic in the air that night, I could just feel it around me. We went back to our seats with the biggest smiles decorated on our faces, and an autographed photograph in our hands.
Taylor Swift in person is everything I pictured and more. Every little piece of her is kind and loving. Her and her family don’t have to go out of their way to meet fans before and after the show, they choose to. This was an experience that I have always imagined and felt so strongly about. Saying that I met Taylor is still a dream to me. I don’t think I will ever be able to believe it. The reason why I consider this part of my life story or life event is because Taylor’s music is such a big part of me. To say that I live and breathe Taylor and her music is an understatement. She is my hero and inspiration because she has given me so much courage and confidence by teaching me that if I’m different, I’m lucky. Taylor has taught me the definition of “Fearless”. Fearless is having fears and having doubts, lots of them, but you jump anyway. I have learned from her that what I have to say is important and that I need to be heard. I have someone I can always count on and look up to because I trust her. Taylor values her fans and wants to be a good role model for them. Meeting her and making her apart of my life since 2007 has changed my life. I will never forget being face to face with Taylor Swift.






I love?Love?Love Taylor and Swifties!!

I was FEARLESS on: 8-9-2009

I chose to SPEAK NOW with Taylor and scream LONG LIVE on: 5-27-2011

The night sparkled when I was ENCHANTED to meet Taylor on: 5-27-2011