Meeting her

When and if I ever get asked, "Have you ever met someone famous?" I have my answer. 

June 19, 2014
I happened to be in Italy. 
My husband and I drove for the day to Florence.  (Crazy to drive in Italy I know.  So far, we haven't found any tickets in our mailbox!) 
We made it through some pretty chaotic traffic and more than a few roundabouts.  We had our trusty Rick Steve's book on travel in Italy and had the page open to the traffic signs.  Driving in Italy tested our patience more than once. 
Relief is an understatement when we finally parked.  It was about 9 in the morning and our mission was to get to the  Galleria dell' Accademia to see the famous DAVID by Michelangelo. 

We did not get tickets ahead of time, and so we prayed the line was not around the block when we got there.  Giving each other a high five, we jumped in line and breathed a sigh of relief as we were about number 12 from the entrance.  Even being that close, it still took probably a half hour to get in. 
In the meantime, we said hello to those in front and in back of us.  Surprisingly, they all spoke English!  We put our ear buds in and started listening to the audio about the DAVID. 
And that's when it happened.
I looked up and did a double take.   
Breathing a little faster, and with my heart skipping a few beats, I looked again.  Could it be?  No way!  Just mere steps from me?  I shook my head again talking to myself.  No way.
I looked up in to the heavens.    Really God?  Is it really her? No way.  Here in Italy?  The exact same moment that I am standing in line to see the David?   
I considered it some more.   It definitely was her.  I have spent a lot of time reading and underlining her book, One Perfect Word.  Deciding to spend a whole year on one word is no easy feat.  By the way, my word is TRUST!
Now to decide.  Do I go up to her and ask her if I could have my picture taken with her?   
I did not want to bring any attention to her.  After all, she is on holiday too.  Do I bug her?
I thought quick.  If I am going to, it has to be now.  I will not ask her in the museum.  NO WAY.  That would be rude.  But, is this rude outside of the museum?  Ugh.
Before I knew it, I was right up to her and very quietly I asked her!  She was lovely.  And her friend was kind enough to take our picture.  I remember saying, "I am sorry to bother you.  I bet you get people doing this all the time. "

 She told me she was surprised I recognized her.  What was so joyful to me was the fact that here I am, a "want to be" writer.  And then, I am in Italy of all places  and I look up and there she is...a very gifted author.  Not a Hollywood star or a famous athlete, but an extremely accomplished  AUTHOR.  Right there in front of me.  I just had to say hello.  I was proud of the fact that no one noticed.  I didn't scream her name out loud.  Oh believe me, I wanted to!  But, I was discreet.  Even my husband said to me when I floated back in line, "So, who was that you were talking to?"  "Well honey, she's this author..."   
Throughout this trip, my dear friend Yvonne told me to write down one perfect moment that happens every day that I am in Italy.  I was wide awake this whole trip.  Never in a million years did I think I would meet Debbie Macomber.   Yep...this day my perfect moment was meeting her.  It was a thrill. 
When I got home, I decided to send her an email and thank her again for taking the time with me.  I never expected to get a reply. 
Another perfect moment as one day this past week I got an email...from her.  I will cherish it. 
This is one of her many many books.

Catch her series this weekend on the Hallmark Channel.  Cedar Cove.  I am hooked! 

So, I want to know.  Is there someone you have met that you were surprised to meet?