Dreams come true

[Gr8estReward]

I felt the need to start this thread because I love sharing this story because it proves that dreams come true and you should NEVER stop believing! (I apologize in advance for the length, but there's so much to this story I can't really cut it down without taking away the effect!)

 

I know a lot of people here would say their biggest idol in life is Celine. Though I love her and her music VERY much, no one has been more of an inspiration (aside from my mother, of course) in my life than Monica Seles...and here's my story about how I "discovered" her and how she's inspired me; and how my biggest dream in life came true.

 

It was the summer before my freshman year of high school tennis (I was 14 years old) and I had gone out for the team just because my third grade teacher was the coach (Elaine, who was at the event as well). I didn’t know much about the game going in but knew it would be fun with her as the coach. However, in July of 1995 I turned on the TV and saw Monica Seles playing her exhibition match against Martina Navratilova (her first match after her 2-year absence after the brutal stabbing attack in Hamburg, Germany--what an injustice that that man never spent a day in prison). I decided at that moment that I wanted to take tennis seriously and dedicate my time to getting better, because I saw how the sport could really be played. She was (and is) incredible! From that point on, any spare moment I had was spent hitting against a wall or calling anyone who would even be slightly interested in playing with me so I could practice my strokes. I went from hardly ever playing as a child to start out at #3 singles on my team as a freshman and working my way up to #1 my junior and senior years. I then played 4 years of college tennis at Albright College (in Reading, PA), playing as high as 2nd singles and 1st doubles. To this day I play as often as possible and nothing could ever take my passion for the game away. Monica gave that to me.

 

In all the years she played I could never make it to a tournament because we couldn't afford it or I was in school. So, when she retired, I thought all chances were lost and I'd never get the chance to see her play. However, within a few days I saw an opportunity of a lifetime. Through a sponsorship of the Legends of Tennis 2008 event in Reading (30 minutes from where I live), on April 11-12, I had the opportunity to attend: a player's party with a silent auction, where Monica would be present and available for conversation, etc; a clinic with the pros (Monica participating as well), and a pro-am with the pros (playing WITH Monica). I didn't care that it was going to cost me $2000. How many chances in your lifetime do you get to do the thing you love most with the person who made you want to do it in the first place? Here are the detailed account of the events Friday and Saturday:

 

Friday, April 11:

We (me; my mom; Elaine, my high school tennis coach; and Ira, the guy I play and teach tennis with) arrived at the players’ party 30 minutes before it was set to begin, got our nametags, drink tickets, and programs, and found a seat. We chose the table closest to the little platform/stage they had set up so we’d have a good view when they formally introduced the players. There were tables and tables of food and desserts, but I was so nervous (as I’d been waiting 13 years to even catch a glimpse of my idol, Monica Seles, in person) that I couldn’t eat. I got a roll with some butter and two stuffed mushrooms, and that and 3 Amaretto Sours (in an effort to calm my nerves a bit) were all I could eat/drink.

 

Then, about 30 minutes later, I looked up and there she was!! The tears started flowing and it finally started sinking in that it was actually happening. She walked over to a group of people and started talking (I didn’t want to be the first person running up to her, asking for an autograph, picture, and conversation, so I waited a bit). Then I saw that she had started signing autographs and I got my two books and walked over to wait a few feet away for when she was finished. When she turned back in my direction and started walking toward me, I knew what I wanted to say first: “Monica, this is a dream come true. You are the reason I started playing tennis seriously.” Her eyes got big, she smiled, and said, “Aw, really? Wow,” at which point she gave me a hug. I proceeded to tell her when I first saw her play and that she made me really fall in love with the game. She asked if I still played and I said yes, and that I’m not in the best of shape, but I’m working on it. Her response: “Trust me, I understand, just keep working at it.” (After her comeback she struggled with weight issues—although she was still WAY more fit than I’ve ever been, but still, for a pro athlete it’s much more critical to be in peak condition…) I had her sign her autobiography and a book of tennis legends that I had (which Pete Sampras and Billie Jean King also signed 2 years ago), and posed for a few pictures with her (one with me, Monica, and my high school tennis coach; and one with just me and Monica)! And she’s so sweet, she wanted to make sure the pictures turned out OK for me and told me that if I decided I didn’t like them to come find her because she’d be there all night (have to love her)!

 

I went back to my seat and had a little moment where I was crying for about 5 minutes before I composed myself (at which point I turned to see to see that Monica had taken a seat at the table right behind me (our backs were facing each other, about 7 feet away)! She saw me crying, looked with a sad face, and said, “Don’t worry, I don’t bite. You’ll be fine,” which made me laugh and calmed me down a bit. When I noticed that she was by herself and no one was taking the opportunity to go over and say hi (I waited about 5 minutes to see if anyone would go over because I didn’t want to monopolize her time), I went back over with a T-shirt that a friend from work had made for me. (It’s a white shirt with Monica’s picture on it, and it says “Monica you are the best”…the friend ordered an XL, but it was apparently a tiny fit, so it’s more like a medium.) I tapped Monica on the shoulder and she turned around with a smile. I showed her the shirt, explained that a coworker made it for me, and said, “But as you can see, it’s a little too small for me to wear.” Monica said, “Yeah, it looks like it might be a little small for ANYONE to wear, especially in the chest area. I don’t think I could wear it even.” (Haha!) So then I said that I didn’t want it to just sit around because a friend paid for it, so I asked her to sign it, which she gladly did. At this point my high school coach came over and made it a point to tell Monica that ever since I started playing I’ve always had a racket in my hand and she’s never met anyone who loves it as much as I do. Monica turned to me and said, “Oh, you should do the clinic tomorrow morning.” I told her I was, as well as the Pro-Am, and she was happy to hear it and told me not to be nervous and have fun. The conversation continued and I told her I voted for her on Dancing With the Stars. Her response: “Thanks, I needed all the votes I could get… Who do you think is going to win this season?” I told her I stopped watching once she left the show, and she said, “Aw, you really are a true fan--not on one year off another year. Thanks for that!” I said, “Of course, you’re my idol. And it’s so nice that the reality has even surpassed the big dream I had built up of you.” Her response: She touched her heart and said, “That is so sweet!” She paused and said, “Give me that shirt back; I feel like I need to write something more on it!” She took it and wrote my name, but spelled it wrong—with a K instead of a C—at which point she realized it, glanced at my name tag, and said, “Crap, I spelled it wrong!” I told her just to make a C over the K and it didn’t make any difference to me, so she did and wrote “Cristen, Loved playing with you, Your doubles partner, Monica Seles”… THEN she took a tennis ball from the centerpiece (tennis balls piled on each other with flowers and candles around them) and wrote on it, “Cristen, Great playing with U, Monica Seles” and said, “Here, you can have this, too!!

 

WOW!!! She is THE nicest person I’ve ever met in my life! So then the night continued with live auctions and silent auctions (I bid on an autographed copy of a Sports Illustrated issue she was on the cover of, and an autographed copy of her book for my friend—got both of them for a total of $80)… So I was walking back from checking my silent auction bids and there’s Monica posing for pictures with people, with a professional photographer taking the pictures. She spotted me and called me over, asking if I’d like to take a picture. My response: “Do you think I’m going to say no?” She laughed and we posed. A bit later, just before she left, I found a poster advertising the event, grabbed it, and went up to Monica and asked her to sign it for a friend of mine who could only make it to the public match they had at Alvernia College on Saturday. This friend has been a fan of hers longer than me and I explained that to Monica, at which point she wrote “To Nancy, Thanks for your support, Monica Seles” and said to me: “That’s really sweet for you to do that for a friend. I’ll see you tomorrow. And remember: don’t be nervous!”

 

I got home around 11, watched James Blake’s (I LOVE that man) Davis Cup match for a bit, and decided I needed to get some sleep since Saturday was about the biggest day of my life. I went to bed around 12:30 and woke up between 3:30 and 5…then woke up for good at 6 so I could eat breakfast and digest before heading to the racquet club for the clinic that started at 8:30am.

 

Saturday, April 12:

We arrived at the club around 7:30am, checked in, and the four of us (me, Elaine, Ira, and my 2nd cousin Alix, who’s a senior in high school) found a court to warm up. We did so for an hour before they gave our court assignments and we started the clinic with the racquet club’s instructors. It was only a matter of time before the pros (Corina Morariu, John Isner, Johan Kriek, and Monica of course) came out and took their turns on each court. Monica was the last one to visit our court and when she saw me she gave me a big smile and winked. We ran drills and took turns hitting with Monica as our doubles partner of sorts, as well as hitting against her across the net. She gave me compliments on the good shots and encouragement when I missed. She was just great.

 

Then we had a break between the clinic and the pro-am where they had a little brunch in the observation area overlooking the courts. I couldn’t eat, once again, so I just decided to hang around with my family and try to calm the nerves that were building up. My boss (Karen) came to watch me play, so I got the opportunity to talk with her and explain the events from Friday night. My family was there (mom, sister, aunt, cousin), and they had already heard the stories, but were looking forward to watching me play points with Monica (and the other pros). So I was talking to Karen and she asked me where the bathroom was. I told her I had to go, too, so I’d walk down with her (easier shown how to get there than explained, especially through all the people who were crowded around). The bathrooms are in the locker rooms, so we walked through the door and who was sitting there on the bench with her racket bag under it? MONICA!! I pointed her out and said to Karen: “That’s her. It’s Monica!” At this point Karen walked over, introduced herself, and told her she was honored to meet her. I walked into the bathroom stall and then I heard, “Cristen, how are you doing?” (Yeah, it was Monica…she remembered my name!!) I told her I was doing fine, but that I was nervous and that no matter how many times she told me not to be that I’d still be a nervous wreck. All she said was, “Stop it, you’ll be fine!” and I guess she walked out. Karen and I came out of the bathroom to wash our hands and noticed her bag was still there. Karen wanted me to pose next to the bag for a picture, but I refused…so she just took a picture of the bag itself. Haha!

 

Time for the Pro-am! Talk about nerves! When the players came out, the organizers had us all grouped together so they could explain how it would work (4 people per court, on 6 courts, playing 4 games on each court, with each person serving once). The organizers wished us well and told us to have fun, at which point Monica smiled at me and winked. Luckily I was on the two courts in the first two rotations that did not have pros on them (we just played doubles amongst ourselves), so I could work the nerves out (as much as I could) before getting to play with John, Corina, Johan, and of course Monica. I played like crap on the first court, but I was fine with it if it meant I wouldn’t play like that with Monica (haha)! On the second court I did much better, and by the time I made it to the first pro (Corina), I was playing really well. I received multiple compliments on my shots—in particular a miraculous self-defense volley which went spinning off the court, making it unreturnable. That was good enough for a hi-5 from Corina, who was my doubles partner at the time. Next up was John Isner (who’s 6’9”). The plan on the courts with pros was to rotate so everyone got the chance to play with the pro for one game… So I was the first to be John’s partner. I hit a few winners and John kept saying, “Way to play partner!” and hi-5ing me. When the first game was over, he decided he wanted to keep me as his partner and we played another game and won… Then we played two more games with alternating partners and that was it.

 

THEN CAME MONICA! I walked up to the court and I was the first one there of the 3 who were supposed to come. Monica came up to me and said, “Cristen, I want you on the other side of the net from me. You’re playing with me last. I want you go get your nerves out before you play WITH me; get your strokes going, and don’t worry, you’ll be fine.” Then she asked where my family was, and I pointed them out up in the observation area, at which point she waved to them. So I listened, but I was still so nervous that my racket was shaking. She was on the other side of the court, playing at the net, watching every move I made. I missed the first 3 shots and Monica kept giving me thumbs up and swinging slowly as if to say “brush up on the ball and follow through.” Then it was my turn to play with her and when I came over, she told me to breathe and patted me on the back for encouragement. I double faulted twice, but did have a few good points in there… AND she served a game with me as her partner (again, chosen to be the one to play TWO games with her when everyone else got one)! It was just surreal to be placing tennis balls on Monica Seles’ racket for her to serve, as my partner!! When we were finished we posed for a group picture (as we did on every court with the pros), and Monica took the spot right next to me! Then we were waiting for the other courts to finish up so we could rotate and she says, “See? You made it through. Did you have fun?” My response: “Are you kidding? Of course I did.” Then we just stood there in silence for a minute and I was fighting back tears (my dream of a lifetime had just come true and there I was standing next to my idol, kinda just hanging out). Monica noticed and tried to make conversation, asking me what I had my racket strung at. I couldn’t even remember. I just said, “You’re asking me to think straight right now?” She laughed and said, “I know, that’s why I’m trying to talk to you so you stop freaking out.” Then she called the professional photographer over and asked her to take a picture of the two of us. (I just LOVE Monica!) I gave that photographer my name and e-mail and we located the picture number so she could send it to me. Yay! Then came the last rotation, when I played with Johan Kriek. Again, we were waiting for everyone else to arrive and Johan started making conversation (after the initial introductions). He asked if I was having fun, and I told him I was having the time of my life and that I was a little overwhelmed because Monica is the reason I started playing. Being on the court right next to Monica’s, he yelled over to Monica: “Did you know you’re the reason she plays?” Monica turned and said: “Yes, Cristen’s a sweetheart!” (AW!! *heart*) I played with Johan and was playing much better there (having “gotten through” the Monica stage, I was a lot less nervous).

 

Lastly, it was time for the public match at Alvernia College, which was general admission seating. We got there early enough to get seats in the front row -- right in the center of the court, across from the players’ benches. The match was entertaining, and at the end the players were hanging around signing autographs. My friend Nancy (the one who Monica had signed the poster for Friday night) was there with her daughter and I tried to convince her to go over to get her picture taken with Monica or at least get to say hi and say she met her. She was reluctant, but I told her to follow me and I’d take care of it. There weren’t too many people around at the time, so I brought her with me across the court and found Monica. She was getting ready to walk over and sign autographs for other people when I called her name. She turned, smiled, and said immediately, “What do you need?” and was ready to pose for yet another picture or sign anything I may have had (again, THE nicest person ever). I introduced her to Nancy and her daughter and asked if she’d mind posing for a picture with them, and she kindly obliged (making Nancy’s day)! Monica asked me if I had fun this weekend and when I said “tons” she hugged me and said she was glad I had a great time. *sigh*

 

This experience was just priceless (well worth the $2,000 I paid to participate in all the events…I would’ve paid $5,000, and I’m going to do it any time she comes back for these events, too)! I had waited for this moment for 13 years…and it was well worth the long wait as well! The reality of the events was so much better than I could’ve ever even orchestrated in my wildest dream. Monica is even more beautiful inside than she is on the outside. She went out of her way to make this whole experience special for me, and that meant more than just meeting her in the first place! She is one in a million, that’s for sure! And for her to be so kind and open with fans after what happened to her, putting a damper on the rest of her professional tennis career…that just shows her strength of character. What an amazing, genuine person; and what a fighter, on and off the court! She is now and forever will be my idol!

 

Pictures to follow in the next post...and the story will be continued... Yes...THERE IS MORE!!!

[Gr8estReward]

The initial hug:

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z71/Leapa1523/Monica%20dream%20come%20true/monicahug.jpg

 

Me and Monica at the Players Party:

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z71/Leapa1523/Monica%20dream%20come%20true/meandmonicanoredeye2.jpg

 

Me and Monica after playing in the Pro-Am:

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z71/Leapa1523/Monica%20dream%20come%20true/memonicaafterplaying.jpg

 

 

And just when I thought the experience couldn't be topped...

 

 

After playing with Monica I got serious about my fitness and improving my tennis game by getting more fit. I was 200 pounds when I played with her in April and have now lost 28 pounds. I want to get to 135 pounds eventually, but I'm thrilled with the progress so far. So, let us go back to June 19...at which point I had lost 13 pounds I think by then...

 

Going into that week I thought I’d be busy with tennis, as I was scheduled to play in my local tennis tournament. Unfortunately, the tournament was cancelled due to lack of entries (my guess is that not enough people knew about it). Therefore, my week opened up nicely. It turned out to be a VERY good thing because a few days prior, I learned that Monica Seles would be participating in a promotion for Wimbledon held by a tournament sponsor, HSBC bank. The plan was that Monica and Jim Courier would play pop-up matches in front of four bank locations throughout New York City, ending at the headquarters at 5th Ave. and 40th St. at noon on Thursday, June 19, with Justin Gimelstob acting as the emcee.

 

Obviously, I found a way to get there! My mom agreed to come with me, and we made it to New York by 9 am that morning. I had decided that we’d just wander around the city a bit and then end up at the final location no later than 11 so we could get a good spot by the court once they had it set up to see Monica (and I also figured there would be more time after they were finished playing to talk to her if I got the chance because they wouldn’t have to move to another location). I was anxious to see whether she’d remember me from when I met and played with her in Reading in April. I figured it might take me showing her a picture of us or something to that effect. Once they started setting up, I got my spot right by the barrier to have full view of the mini-court. I had the picture of the two of us from the Players’ Party the first time I met her out and ready for her to sign if I had the chance, and fielded many questions from others who had come to watch (sadly, most of whom had no idea what was going on or who she was).

 

A few minutes later, a car pulled up and out hopped Justin, Jim, and Monica! A few tears fell when I first saw her, as I was so excited to get another opportunity to see my idol. The players posed for pictures and just before they started warming up, I shouted Monica’s name and waved. She was directly across from me on the other side of the net and she recognized me right away, responding with a smile, wave, and “Hi!” Immediately, she pointed to the court entrance and said, “Come over here so you can play!” Jim Courier turned around and said to me: “So you’re ready to play?” I said “Always!” and Monica told Jim, “She’s a great player!” WHAT?!?!?!?! THE 9-time Grand-Slam champion Monica Seles is telling people I’M a great player?!?!?!? Talk about an honor!!! I wasn’t sure if I was REALLY supposed to go over to the entrance of the court to play, so I kept trying to get Monica’s attention and ask, “NOW?!?!?!” but she didn’t see me. However, it didn’t take long for the event coordinator to come find me and pull me through the crowd to go onto the court. I just couldn’t believe this was happening.

 

There were cameras all around (photographers and videographers) and I had just been thrown in the spotlight. But, my idol was a few feet away, so obviously I wasn’t shying away from the opportunity. Besides, SHE requested that I come over--how could I not do it? When I first walked on the court and up to Monica, she hugged me and the first thing she said was, “You look great!” (She noticed my weight loss!) I told her it was because of her that I was inspired and that I had lost almost 15 pounds since we played! Her response: “Well, whatever you’re doing, keep at it because it’s working! You really look great!” TALK ABOUT FURTHER MOTIVATION!! Then, when we started warming up, I turned to Monica and said, “You thought? All these people and cameras weren’t around.” She just laughed and then it was time to start playing. Jim complimented my volley technique, citing the fact that they had seen a lot of people without it that day. We then played the best of three points, all of which Monica and I won (a bonus), earning a high-five! After we finished and I left the court, Monica came over to talk for a minute, at which point I had her sign the picture of us (which she said she loved)! After she was done playing, we posed for another picture:

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z71/Leapa1523/Monica%20dream%20come%20true/monicaandinyc.jpg

 

Wow. I know I said the initial experience of meeting her and playing tennis with her couldn’t be beaten, but this did! Just the fact that she remembered me INSTANTLY was enough to make it stand out above the others. And for her to pay me all those compliments and actually notice my weight loss—THAT sealed the deal for me!! I knew from the first encounters that she was a great, humble person (and I knew it before meeting her), but this just proves that she is the most down-to-earth athlete you would ever meet and she really cares about her fans!!

 

 

 

And then...

 

In September I read that she was starting a 5-week Sirius radio show about jump-starting your life and improving your health, etc... So I figured what better time is there to tell her I had lost 20 pounds by then?? I found the number for the Sirius Stars channel (102) and figured I’d give it a shot… I didn’t think I had a prayer of getting through, and two rings later, someone answered and he asked my name, where I’m from, and what I’d like to talk to Monica about. My response: “Monica’s been my idol for years and I had the opportunity to meet her and play tennis with her in April. Doing that inspired me to lose 20 pounds since then, and I want to thank her.” He said, “Perfect, please hold.” I could hear Monica DISTANTLY talking, knowing I was hearing the show from the sound booth. Then on comes Monica right in my ear, hosting the show, talking about who the guests will be, then…

 

MONICA: “But right now we have Cristen on the line. Hi, Cristen.”

ME: “Hi Monica. How are you?”

 

MONICA: “I’m good, how are you?”

ME: “Good. I don’t know if you remember me or not.”

 

MONICA: “Of course I remember you. I played with you in Pennsylvania, and then again in New York. You’ve got a great backhand.”

ME: “It still needs work, but thanks.”

 

MONICA: “We all need work. I’m nowhere near the player I was years ago.”

ME: “Maybe not, but you could still wipe the court with me.”

 

MONICA (laughing): “You have to do something for me. Make sure you leave me your number because I misplaced the one you gave me in New York.”

(She had asked me for my address in NYC during the Wimbledon promo and I gave her my business card, but she didn’t have pockets so she stuck it in the tights of her tennis skirt, and I’m guessing it fell out.)

ME: “OK; I will do that.”

 

MONICA: “So, could you share your story with the fans?”

ME: “Well, my dream came true when I got to meet you and play with you in April, since you’re my idol and the reason I fell in love with tennis. After meeting you and seeing you and knowing what you’ve done it made me say, ‘Hey, I need to do this for myself and my tennis game.’ Since then, which was April 10—I’ll never forget that day as long as I live—I’ve lost 20 pounds.”

 

MONICA: “Wow. Great job.”

ME: “Thanks.”

 

MONICA: “So what made you decide to make this change?”

ME: “Well I had dieted before and been successful, but the weight always came back on. I realized it has to be an ongoing thing and this time I’m more motivated and have a constant reminder. I actually had a bracelet made with what you said to me that I never take off. It says, ‘DREAMS COME TRUE’ and ‘Keep working at it’ which is what you told me about my fitness. Every time I reach for that donut I see that bracelet and it makes me stop and question what I’m doing.”

 

MONICA: “Aw. That’s great. I’m glad our listeners can hear firsthand that you’ve done this slowly. That’s the only way it stays off, and you’re not depriving yourself. And that it’s an ongoing battle. There are days when something bad happens and you just want to eat. That was my problem.”

ME: “Yeah, and it’s always the brownies.”

 

MONICA: “Well, it’s that sugar high. It feels good.”

ME: “True. But I don’t cut anything completely out of my diet. I don’t go with the ‘no carbs’ diets or anything. I eat what I want, I just have it in moderation.”

 

MONICA: “That’s the key. Well, Cristen, I want to thank you for calling in, and I hope to see you soon.”

ME: “Well, I hope to see you next July when you get into the Hall of Fame, fingers crossed.”

 

MONICA: “Thanks, I’m excited for that.” (I think that’s what she said…maybe something added about IF it happens, or HOPEFULLY it happens…)

 

Then she said good-bye, announced the guest after the break, and we went off the air. I held on the line so the producer (or whoever it was) could take my phone number, which they did, and I also gave her my email address to give to Monica.

[Cheerfuljane]

That's a lovely story.

 

I played tennis from age 3 to the end of high school. I was on my provincial team.

My favourite favourite FAVourite player of ALL time was Steffi Graf.

I also liked Monica and Gabriela.

 

When Steffi did her farewell tour she played a match in my home town (Durban, South Africa). I got there early to see if I could meet her.

We went to the practice courts and watched her practicing with some kids. She looked at me and I waved, so she came over and said "we could do with some help if you want to join us." I just froze, so my friend pushed me and said to Steffi "well, of course she would!!" So I got to share a court with her and we spoke for a bit afterwards when she gave me her autograph. What a memory

 

I've met all the famous people that I had dreamed of meeting.

Steffi

Nelson Mandela

Queen Elizabeth

Celine

[Gr8estReward]

Awesome story!! And wow...Nelson Mandela and Queen Elizabeth!!

 

I must admit, though, that I've never cared for Steffi Graf (and not JUST because of the history between her and Monica).

[Gr8estReward]

I'd like to hear similar stories from others who have had their dreams come true!!

[Krys]

wow cool story Cristen

 

uhh i dont have any other stories other than the Celine one and i havent had the time to go chasing down my other idols cuz they're all on the other side of the world

[Gr8estReward]

Yeah, meeting Celine, Josh Groban (3 times), Patrick Rafter (2 times), and James Blake (6 times) were also highlights of my life; but nothing can beat the Monica experience!!

[Esther]

- Most- dreams of me came true too:

 

- Travelling to Canada, been there 2 times now! It was a dream coming true. Never imagined I would really be able to go there one day. I looove the country.

 

- Meeting Shania Twain, met her a few times, one of them was when she invited me and my friends up on stage during her concert in the Netherlands, I'll never forget!

 

- Meeting Bryan Adams, met him 2 times, both times up on stage during his concert in the Netherlands. Singing with him was a dream coming true aswell!

 

- Been to many concerts of great singers and I feel very fortunate that I was able to go there.

 

And this all proved me: never stop dreaming... dreams DO come true!

[Jacqui]

Wow. I'm glad your dream came true.

The first and only real 'dream come true' that I've had was seeing Celine in concert. I hoped and prayed for so long that it would happen, but I never thought it actually would so it was a really amazing feeling to finally be seeing her. It kind of gave me faith that if I ever figure out what my other dreams are, maybe they will be possible.

[Gr8estReward]

Wow. I'm glad your dream came true.

The first and only real 'dream come true' that I've had was seeing Celine in concert. I hoped and prayed for so long that it would happen, but I never thought it actually would so it was a really amazing feeling to finally be seeing her. It kind of gave me faith that if I ever figure out what my other dreams are, maybe they will be possible.

EXACTLY!!!

 

After that experience (well, I should say "those experiences") with Monica, I now know that ANYTHING is possible!