Happy Anniversary of Billy Day #1!!!!

Okay, so today is July 9th, 2006, obvioulsy or "Hoy es nueve de julio de dos mil y seis." Yep, that's Spanish for you, my Spanish class is almost over (really, kinda glad although it's been very fun and interesting) and I'm learning more and more! It's been great! Anyway, I'm writing today although I'm extremely tired (and by that, I mean, completely exhausted), becuase 10 years ago today, on July 9th, 1996, I met my idol/crush, Billy Dean! Unfornately, too many of you do not know who he is, but that's okay, I do! He's a great country singer-songwriter, actor, artist who on top of all that happens to be a truly great man! I'm dating again now (been on 2 so far, one was whoa-psycho, the other was nice, but no connection), so I know (and have always known) that a good man is very hard to find. I'm not looking for a husband or "the one," but an occasional dinner out that is paid for with stimulating conversation and a cute face to look at never hurt anybody! LOL! Anyhow, back to Billy, ten years ago today I met him for the first time in Reno, Nevada, I was 12 years old and such a girl. Now I'm a woman. It seems like 20 years ago, really, and with the exception of the that last 19 months (since I turned 21), I would NOT do the last ten years over for all the money in the world. I love my life, the way it's gone, I'm truly grateful for every person and experience, but in all reality, my life is SO much better off today than it was back then. I was a very angry, hurt, confused little girl who had SO much to learn-and still do!!! Anyway, I'll write again soon, but for now, I'll just post what I posted over on Billy's Web Forum, here it is. And I promise, 'll write again as soon as I possibly can--Spanish is out this week so I'll have WAY more time! Enjoy this entry, what a great memory to recall! And thanks, Billy, what a treasured privilage!!! How fun! :)

"Wow, I cannot believe today is July 9th again, and this time, it's been TEN YEARS since I first met Billy.I first met him at a Super-K-Mart in Reno when he was touring with Reba McEntire and Linda Davis back in 1996. I was 12, much younger and way more knaieve. I'd waited almost seven years to meet him, missed him numerous times when he came to Reno from '92-'94. But, he was well worth the wait and then some!!! For those of you who have had the privilage of meeting Billy face to face, you know what a great thing it is; and what an honor it is as well. I don't have a lot of upstanding men in life, never have, and while I can't exactly call Billy my personal friend (oh well), I can say that he was then, and is now, one of the best men I've ever met! I appreciate him more today (a decade later) than I did back then! In some ways, it seems like yesterday; and in other ways, it seems like two decades ago. My life has never been better, happier or more fulfilling since I turned 21, nineteen months ago, but still, meeting Billy 10 years ago today was one of the absolute highlights of my life!!!Today, TEN YEARS (I know, I can't get over that, that's a WHOLE decade!) later, I'm 22: and I've grown so much it's amazing! I've gone through middle school, high school and some college. I've moved four times, and transfered down to Sunny Las Vegas! I've taken care of children, dated and had a serious 2 year relationship! Through everything though, each year, on July 9th, no matter where I may be--my memory turns to that awesome meeting with Billy!! I think about how excited I was, how thrilling it was, and how nice and kind Billy was. How he was so sweet and real. How not many people get to say that they met their met their idol face to face, and I did (more than once, really)!!! I'm a lucky girl! At 22, I may be over the "crush," part of things with Billy, but my respect and admiration for him; as a singer, songwriter and especially as a person, has grown immensley. After seeing/hearing him talk about his precious children, and how much he loves and adores them, as well as his wife and life in general--well, it just makes me feel so privilaged that I got the chance to meet him, even once, although I actually met him twice! (He also sang to me on June 17th, 1999--already 7 years ago-whew). Meeting Billy back then is still a highlight for me not because he was georgeous (and still is), or a good singer (remains so), but because for five minutes in my life; I got to be in the presence of a truly remarkable man who knows who he is, what he has and how he got there, and that, makes my heart very happy.The memory still makes me grin from ear to ear!!! No matter how old I get, meeting Billy for the first (and 2nd and 3rd time-9/4/98) time will remain one of my most favorite and most cherrished memories! It will continue stand out as a highlight in my life! I want to thank Billy, for his kindness, and genuineness. For his devotion t,o and love for us, his fans. For being the caring, talented, wonderful man he is who has influenced in me in so many ways that trascend "music." So, thank you, Billy, for making some of my dreams come true, for inspiring me and influencing me and for taking the time, ten years ago today, to spell my name correctly, give me a sweet hug and even a whistle! (You were the 1st man to ever whistle at me, I've not forgotten that!). Thank you for continuing to play such an instrumental part in my life and for being the outstanding man, musician and artist that you are! Here's to 10 years ago, July 9th, 1996, here's to today--because everyday is a gift--and here's to another 10 years of music, memories and life's sweetest blessings! Billy, thank you from the bottom of my heart, you continue to THE VERY BEST!
With Much Gratitude, Respect & Many Blessings,
-Sarah Liz"