That time I met Melanie Shankle

Many years ago, my friend Ashley Healey introduced me to the Big Mama Blog. She kept telling be about it, and I would say "ok" and move on and not think much about it. I read a few funny posts she would send me, but that was it. Then she told me about this book- Sparkly Green Earrings. She raved about how funny it was and said I should read it. So I hesitantly said I would and took the book. YALL- taking that book changed my life!!!! Ok- so maybe it didn't technically change my life, but it was certainly a turning point on how I felt about Melanie Shankle- aka Big Mama! I read the book and laughed so hard I cried! I had to stop reading it during a day of hall monitoring of the TAKS test because I couldn't be quiet! I was laughing until my sides hurt! I was hooked. And I became a blog reader in the process.
Then her second book came out- The Antelope in the Living Room. Same result- Side splitting humor! I was convinced we had married the same man. Josh Pool and Melanie's husband are one in the same. And Ashley and I became convinced that if Melanie Shankle could just meet us that we would all be instant BFF! And we even started referring to her as that- our BFF. Too bad Melanie wasn't let in on that little secret.
And when her third book was released- Nobody's Cuter than You- I pre-ordered it. Yes, you read that right- I PRE-ORDERED A BOOK! Totally not like me. But I just love her writing so much. I read the entire thing on our cruise a year and a half ago.
So fast forward to about August of this year. I heard that Melanie Shankle was going to be the guest speaker at the Aledo Advocat's luncheon. And I instantly knew that I WOULD be there. No matter what. Because we are BFF after all. I texted Ashley to tell her about it- only to realize that she is now on the board of the Advocats! (my guess is it was her idea to get her to speak...LOL) And I called and asked Sara to go with me. I knew she didn't know who she was, but I was confident that she would love her just as much as I do after she listened to her. Sara said yes, I purchased tickets and it was a date!!!
Insert Nina's broken shoulder the night before and the late night at the hospital...... I wasn't sure I was going to get to go, and I was heartbroken to say the least. Now- don't get me wrong. Nina was more important obviously! And I would make what ever sacrifice needed to stay with her. But part of me was trying to figure out a way to take care of Nina and STILL get to go to the luncheon. Sara told me at the hospital that if it worked out- we would still go, but it not that it was totally ok. And after I verified that Nina was ok and no drs appointments would be needed that day, I texted Sara "I am on my way to town, dressed for a luncheon!"
I showed up at her house, finished getting ready (because I left my house in a sleep deprived rush to go check on Nina), and we were OFF!
The luncheon was at the Ridglea Country Club, and everything was set up so neat and pretty. We saw several people we knew, and took our seat at our assigned table. Almost immediately the waiter came around asking if we wanted a glass of wine. Do we want wine? Free wine? DUH! Yes please! ha! That was definitely what I needed after the last day.
The food was great and soon Melanie Shankle took the stage. Yall- I was like a kid seeing a celebrity! Seriously- I got butterflies and was all smiles! She spoke on relationships and women, talking a lot about how we have amazing people in our lives to provide support to us. And how ironic that she chose this topic, and I was sitting next to this amazing lady...

I had to work to keep from crying. I am blessed with some amazing women in my life that are always there for me, and this precious lady right here is at the top of that list. I love how God places the people in your life that He knows you will need, even before you know you will need them.
After Melanie spoke, she was signing books. I KNEW I had to meet her and get her to sign a book- but I didn't have mine with me! Luckily she had some there to sell- so yes, I bought a book (that I already owned) just to have her sign it and get my picture made with her! Yes- I'm pathetic, and I admit it!
I made Ashley step in for the picture since she is the reason I even know who Melanie Shankle/Big Mama is!

It was the most fun I had had in a while, and was SO needed after the stress of the night before and the days to come. I am thankful I got the opportunity to go.
After we left there, Sara and I did some shopping at Stein Mart for Nina a gown and robe she could get over her arm and then made our way to Trader Joe's to check it out. Neither one of us had ever been, so we were marking it off of our bucket list! (we marked IKEA off of our lists together a year ago). I LOVED Trader Joe's! And I MAY have stocked up on some 2 Buck Chuck wine while I was there! (I blame that on the influence of the free wine at the luncheon!)
It was a great day with a great friend! I'm so thankful that Sara is always up for an adventure with me! She's a great sport. And now Ashley and I have the picture to prove that we are BFF with Big Mama! I'm sure we will all be exchanging cell phone numbers soon.......