I found meaning to my life during the windy April days of 2005. Sitting on the couch squeezed between my dad and uncles, my nine-year old eyes gleamed with interest as the TV screen focused on Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat.
Yes, I was nine years old when I became a Miami Heat fan. However, I will admit my interest in the Heat did not expand from just Dwyane Wade until my middle school years.
On Sept. 13, 2012 I met Dwyane Wade. If you know me personally, you would be able to imagine my frenzied screaming as you read the first sentence of this paragraph. As I walked through the massive wooden doors of Barnes & Noble my stomach was dancing up and into my mouth—I couldn’t handle the emotions that this event made me feel. I was going to meet the man I had called my one true love since elementary school. I was going to be able to stand before him and soak in his presence and sound.
After waiting in line for hours, I was finally able to approach the table where my favorite person in the world was sitting. Wearing a charcoal suit with a fashionable white undershirt, Dwyane Wade greeted me with a glowing smile and an outstretched hand. Being an asthmatic, I can safely say he took my breath away for a good second or two.
H
e eagerly signed my books, shook my hand and thanked me for my support. I went on to spew my love and affection for him when out of nowhere, my mom darted out and proclaimed to Dwyane Wade that he was my “obsession.” Fortunately for me, he did not do anything dramatic like call security.Instead he reached out with both of his hands and held onto my hand and said “thank you, I wouldn’t be here without fans like you.”
Naturally, I blushed a bright, deep red and mumbled an incoherent response as I stumbled out of line and back into the swarm of people. I know it’s super cheesy, but I was floating. Words cannot properly express how I felt after that book signing.
The whole way home I could not believe what had happened. After about seven years of dreaming and hoping, I finally met Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat.
Without the support of my parents, who woke up early to wait in line to get the entrance wristbands, that day would not have been possible. I truly appreciate everything they did for me to ensure that I would be able to meet Dwyane Wade, my favorite person in the entire world.
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