It was March 1st 2005 when I arrived in New York City. The moment I never thought would happen was going down in just some hours. I had arrived a day later than expected due to a massive snow storm in Texas, where I happened to have a lay over the day prior. The fact that I had to check in to my hotel located blocks from Times Square and rapidly make myself presentable for Jennifer Lopez had butterflies in my stomach and stars in my eyes. All this was made possible due to MTV and Epic Records.
In January 2005 MTV launched the Get Right with Jennifer Lopez contest online. Grand prize winner got flight and hotel accommodations and VIP Access to her in-store album signing in Times Square. When I saw this on MTV I immediately made my way to sign up. Reading the fine print details of the rules and regulations, I found out a person may enter once a day. I knew I had to increase my chances and commit myself to finding access to a computer to sign up every day. I had already started to plan my trip to NYC and had purchased a flight and had a hotel room on reserve. I planned to arrive in NYC two days prior to the in store and sleep in line, just to meet Jennifer. My love for her was already 8 years deep at this point. On February 16th I got a call from Winnie at Epic Records informing me I had won the contest. My brothers and I will always laugh about this because the whole two weeks that I voted everyday, going to visit relatives just to use the internet, Baltazar always said, "You're not gonna win anyway, I don't know why you're voting everyday?" And just like that, I did! In that moment I realized the impossible IS possible.
The sacrifice I was prepared to make, and still would make, no longer had to be endured. I was going to meet Jennifer Lopez and have VIP access. I would not be one of the hundreds of people lined up outside of the store. Instead after changing and putting on my custom made J.LO shirt and jacket, I made my way down the narrow and crowded streets of NYC to the Virgin Mega Store located in Times Square. I walked right in and straight downstairs thanks to the VIP lanyard that was waiting for me at the Paramount Hotel courtesy of Epic Records. I was also lucky to get all of her albums, which are currently still in their original packaging. Of course any true J.LO fan would already have the albums, as well as the import singles, remix singles, DVD's, a few J.Lo bags, a wallet, some watches and countless magazines. Or is that just me?
I was instructed to wait in a private section located just at the bottom of the escalator, in front of the table that Jennifer Lopez would soon be sitting at. This section was blocked off by steel barricades from the general public. They waited a few hundred feet back. As we waited I begin to feel faint, light headed, and anxiety. Then within 20 minutes Jennifer made her way down the escalator and the crowd erupted in applause and cheer. She made her way behind a white curtain and emerged a few minutes later. She then posed for pictures and did a few interviews for Z100, Univision and numerous other media reps that were present. After she spoke about the album, she took her seat at a table topped with different colors of Sharpies and Evian water with a straw. I was about to meet La Lopez!
As Jennifer sat at the table, the fans were instructed when to approach her, handing the CD to her body guard who gave each a quick once over before giving it to Jennifer. The line seemed to be moving fast and I started to feel a weird combination of extreme joy and panic. I could feel the tears building up as the close to 30 people in front of me was now down to 10. I took a few deep breaths and thought to myself, "You won this. You deserve this. Make it memorable." As I was now next in line waiting to take those last 5 steps before standing right in front of Jennifer, I was speechless. I was in awe and could not find the words to express my emotions. Jennifer surprised me when she smiled and said, "Thanks for coming down and supporting the album, I appreciate it." My response was, "I love you soooo much. I won a contest to meet you and came from Denver. You are amazing. I love you." As I spoke Jennifer's eyes were locked in mine as if she could see my soul. She then asked, "What's your name?" Oh my GOD! She wants to know me! My last words to her were of course, "Thank you so much and I love you."
As I was ushered onto the elevator by the tons of security guards, I looked down to see Jennifer rapidly signing all her fans CD's with the message With Love, Jennifer Lopez. I had her personally ask me what my name was. I had caught her interest and that changed me forever. Not only had I just met someone I have admired for years, but she was nothing but sincere and sweet. I knew this was not the last trip I would take to see Jennifer. The admiration and borderline obsession at times was now personal. This is just the first chapter in my J.LO Love Story.
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