So it took me a while to finally sit down and write about my last day in Wilmington, because it kind of feels like writing about it makes it real (even though I've been back home almost five months now!)
Sunday was the day I met Chad Michael Murray (AKA Lucas Scott.) He was seriously the sweetest human being. You could tell he genuinely cared about meeting each and every person who was there. Even if it was just for a minute or two, he made the interaction seem so personal.
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I was also able to meet Lee Norris on Sunday, famous for not only playing the lovable Mouth McFadden on One Tree Hill, but also Stuart Minkus on Boy Meets World. Unfortunately, he was super sick on Sunday and didn't have much of a voice, but he was still so kind and genuine.
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And then, what I think almost everyone at the convention was there for: The Scott Brothers.
My friends Erin, Jenni, and I even got a Scott Brothers picture together, wearing our bestie squad shirts!
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Oh, and I forgot to mention in my previous post about Saturday's events, at the Private Autograph Session, I was able to get a canvas painting, that I personally painted, signed by 9 of the cast members: Stephen Colletti, Paul Johansson, James Lafferty, Barry Corbin, Chad Michael Murray, Austin Nichols, Antwon Tanner, Lee Norris, and Craig Sheffer.
Can we please just take a second to obsess over the fact that James freakin Lafferty wrote "Kelsey, Always & Forever?"
Well, I did ask him too, But it's kind of a funny story. At least, I think it is. My friend Erin was in front of me in James' autograph line, and I wanted to ask him to write always and forever, but I was super nervous, and when I get nervous and flustered, I stutter sometimes, and I did not want to do that in front of him. Thankfully, Erin asked him to write that for her, and he agreed!
So when it was my turn, yes, I was a ball of nerves, but I didn't stutter (thank goodness!) all I could say was, "Can you write always and forever on mine too?"
I laugh about it now because I was a total awkward fangirl dweeb, but I have this permanent marker reminder that I met Nathan Scott and he repeated back to me, "Kelsey, always and forever." I heard those words come from his mouth. I. ALMOST. DIED.
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| My friends and I won free photo op tickets at the BBQ Thursday night, so I naturally had to use mine to get an extra pic with James ;) |
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The four days I spent in Wilmington, North Carolina went by too fast, and before I knew it, it was time to come back home. When I got to the airport at 4 AM Monday morning, I didn't want to leave. Being in this magical place, even for the short amount of time that I was there, was incredible; indescribable.
I cannot express how amazing my trip was. It was my first solo trip. I was 2600 miles from home. I was meeting up with friends I'd made on the internet. It all could have been a recipe for disaster, but instead, I've made friendships that I'm so grateful for, met people that I couldn't imagine my life without, and it's all because of, you guessed it, One Tree Hill.
But, don't worry, I'm headed back to Tree Hill in October, for another Eyecon One Tree Hill convention! This time, I'll be staying for a full week! I can't wait to explore more of the city, spend some time at the beach, and just relax and take in this beautiful city.
