SMUNIVERSAL

Ok. So I’m going to take a shot at this. I’ve already realized this morning how bad my short term memory loss (STML) has gotten so I am so thankful for the gazillion and one photos and the endless chatter amongst the girls of all the stories and things he said and did last night.

We headed off with our FANTASTIC Shawn Universal shirts and 2 bags of clothing that we shoved into an all day locker. The day started out a little hairy as we found out riding a roller coaster for the first time, and then doing it again because it was so awesome, may not be the best of plans. Thankfully, I’m a pro at nausea now and we got it under control without detriment to the day. We rode rides (mostly them) and I trudged through the park. I wasn’t feeling it, I was weak and getting nervous I would not make it through the day.

We hung out in Harry Potter land for a LONG time and I’m not sure what possessed me to go into Ollivander’s Wand shop, maybe that there was no line for once, but we did. It actually has a little “production” before you go into the shop. Something I didn’t know. As we walked the back halls, every nook I saw I thought, and probably said out loud, “that’s a perfect sleeping place,” as I dreamt about a little sleeping bag so I could curl up and go to sleep.” We make it into the little room and the lady makes a little spot for Alana to go to the front to watch. Except when everyone is in, she goes right up to her and says I’m not sure exactly, but something like, “I feel the presence of magic with you… your eyes… yes, please come with me.” Then selected another girl. From here I have all the audio, I won’t spoil it for those who haven’t been but at the very end she said the wand for her was Vine. “The vine chooses someone who is ambitious, inspirational, very strong, and is useful for prosperity, healing, and protection.” Well I’m fighting tears at this point. We walk out of the room and I’m already looking to find where we buy the wand! It could have been a $500 wand and it was going home with her! She asked if she could have it, and I had her promise to read the books, and I want to with her. Funny thing, I’ve never seen a movie or read a book, but I’m intrigued.

The girls ran off and played with their wands and Skip and I nearly fell asleep on a bench. I was near done at this point. We walked out and I had to, we went to Starbucks. I’d given up Starbucks for lent, but justified it in the fact that I have not had an iced coffee either, so I ordered a venti hot coffee. It was chilly as it had rained most of the morning. I found an apartment stoop and sent everyone off to ride Transformers. I laid all the plastic ponchos down (Skip has posted this lovely image on FB) and curled up with all of our things.

Ella eventually came and sat with me and the others ran for one last ride on the Rocket Roller Coaster and we laughed and talked and hung out. I’m so proud of these kids and just so grateful for her years of friendship with Madison. I know they were not all perfect, are they ever with girl friends? We see the girls sprinting around the corner, it’s after 6:00, our predetermined “get ready time!” So we head over to the lockers, grab our things and literally take over the public bathroom. Thankfully there is a little counter. The image still makes me giggle, people must have thought we were INSANE. Hair, makeup, dresses, perfume, we are ready. They looked awesome and we start walking to our destination.

One of the universal stilt people said, “hey Shawn is over there in gray! Go meet him!” I was like, oh, yeah, I see him. Madison was like, “um no mom, that is NOT Shawn Mendes!!” Are you sure? Death look I tell you. She said, “MOM!!!???!” I don’t know, he could’ve lightened his hair? We keep on going regardless, and I now know this is DEFINITELY not even CLOSE to him. No one could imposter this guy and really, why would you!!?? How weird.

We get in line with about 20 other people and the nerves are rolling. Alana is nearly ready to explode and the girls are nervous. You can see it. I make instant friends with three super cool guys from Florida just getting a cool meet-n-greet through a buddy. Why not!? A universal rep comes by and starts asking names, and when she gets to us, we get pulled aside. Apparently we are going to the end of the line. Huh?

They start letting people into the studio and its pretty quiet, dark and the Universal-Mendes background is lit. People are cycling through pretty quickly, grabbing their picture with Shawn and as we get closer it’s getting more exciting and the girls look like they are going to pass out. To calm nerves I just huddle them and start praying. Deep breaths, I’d been saying it for an hour, he’s a normal everyday friend. Have fun.

It’s our turn and a sweet worker says she will use my phone and video the entire thing for me. I promised to keep it for me because I would probably forget what was said within the hour and especially for my kids to look back on. Everyone is gone and we are left. Shawn full on begins introducing himself to everyone. We meet and hug and he asks for the birthday girl and when he sees her he thought she looked familiar. Madison was likely caving at this point because he asks how old she’s turning and there is no response, so I ask and she says 13. Then he goes into this entire deal about her flowered headband and this has been a huge subject of conversation ever since.

We went through chatting, taking pictures and laughing. One of my favorites was when we almost forgot a picture with Skip and he shows his Shawn shirt to him. But the best was when he accepted a TEAM NADINE bracelet. Madison had two on her wrist. Her original and her replacement. At some point she had lost the original and then found it, so she wears two. She gave him number 1. He said the last one he got he wore until the words rubbed off and broke and still has it. Tears are trying at this point but we are smiling! This is SO FUN.

Then something big happened, and I hear do we have something to autograph for them? We had been told in line, that there wouldn’t be any, so I’m totally caught off guard, apparently they do! We walk out the back and by this point the kids are all walking with Shawn in this adorable little side by side line talking. I have no idea what they are saying but I am FIGHTING the tears. This is SO awesome and EXACTLY what I dreamed about. They told me later their conversations and I’ll tell you, his just total coolness and just being like an older friend truly spoke volumes to them. It’s all they can talk about and I couldn’t agree more. I’m so impressed I don’t even have words to say how truly blown away I was by this teenager. I have watched very few grow up of this caliber.

He sits and starts signing autographs and I’m just soaking it in. Apparently I didn’t hear half of what he said because the girls were talking about things I have zero recollection of him saying. It was precious. Everyone else standing around got tuned out. I couldn’t believe this moment. Then I get my phone back and what does Nadine need? You guessed it, a selfie!! And he obliged! Except he took the phone from me and apparently is a master pro at selfie taking. It reminded me of Madison because she does the same thing! Let me mom! Difference was he went to the other girls and it took MAYBE 10 seconds max. I’ve never seen anything like it! Precious AND impressive! I need to step up my game or get lessons!!

We said our goodbyes and he hurried off. He took way longer with us than I would’ve ever dreamed less than an hour from his show and as a hard worker, that too meant a lot. He never acted like we were an inconvenience or anything.

We were escorted to a great spot. You know, my plan originally had been to camp out all day so we could have front row, before this all came together. I had it ALL planned out, but this, this was SOOOOO much better. So we all huddled into the corner of this area and he comes on and I look and he is wearing the TEAM NADINE bracelet. I cried from then on, I literally could not stop. He began with “Something Big.” I’m pretty sure I’ve posted the lyrics more than once with all of the miracles we’ve experienced, “Something big I feel it happenin’, outta my control…” one of my favorite songs, and OH wow. Way more awesome in person. Unreal to be exact!!

All his songs I usually just sing along with in the car, and know many are love songs, but for some reason the words last night were piercing my heart. “Take a piece of my heart, and make it all your own, so when we are apart, we will never be alone.” Go ahead, cry. Because I can’t see the keyboard anymore.

Whew. OKAY. I’m back. Maybe only for a minute. I just kept loving on my girls. Hugs, singing into each others eyes, screaming girly screams, holding hands and of course inbetween being held by my Skip. Alana kept reaching her hand out to clear my eyes. “…love it when you look at me like that…when I’m with you I feel better” just more words that are playing on our drive home that I know where peircers.

Then, it’s waterfalls. “Turns out that no one else can replace me, I’m permanent you can’t erase me, I’ll have you remember me, one more kiss is all it takes, I’ll leave you with the memory...” are you kidding?!! I’ve heard these lyrics more times than I can count on all my fingers and toes and I’m not sure if it was just God letting me know that we are doing the right thing by making the best memories ever, or what, but these were the most powerful of them all. I’m wondering to myself, are these the biggest memories because God isn’t going to pull me through this? If not, this song needs to be playing when I die. OR is my family to be an inspiration to truly remind people to go all out, enjoy life, love the little moments and the big ones. Look at every day differently and don’t waste time. I don’t know, I truly feel a miracle is near, but I know for sure if it’s not in His will, this will be at the top of the “coolest things ever done with mom.” It was my “make-a-wish” and TEAM NADINE made it happen. You rock. Those who made it happen and those who prayed my health to here!

There are people I won’t name who made this a reality and I just need to thank them. There were a TON of people who tried for us, and for that I am so thankful. Truly. The three who created what is being termed by the kids as “THE BEST DAY EVER” I won’t be able to say enough thank you’s. Just know you blessed me and my family in ways that I will NEVER be able to explain. There’s so much I cannot put into words that happened last night that were just for me and them. Thank you for being on our team and excited for ALL the new members we got last night. The more, the better chance we have at fighting this! I can’t do it on my own, and just uber grateful for you all.

Thank you.

Now, deep breath!

Tomorrow at 10:30 we get PET results and moving on to the next step! So team get ready… I’ll post after I share with family. XOXO.