Pre-Teen Celebrity Crush to Grown Up Hero

Who  wasn't in love with Bobby Sherman in the late 60’s/ early 70’s? Every Monday night, found me glued to the TV watching his break out television series, Here Come The Brides.  I rooted for “Jeremy” when he stuttered, knew the theme song by heart, and wanted to move to Seattle. My bedroom wall was plastered with his Tiger Beat photos. I had his albums; I even pledged to name my first daughter, Julie, after his hit song.  I knew his concert schedules, the dates of his television appearances, and his meet and greet locations. And, of course, as all teeny boppers did, I dreamed of marrying him some day. But since he was already married (and eventually had two sons), I decided that I would just settle for a chance to meet him and give him a hug. Even though I spent months and years wishing and praying that I would get that chance, it never happened. In time, Bobby Sherman faded from the celebrity scene and my crush faded as well. Still, I never forgot my memories of Bobby Sherman, my first celebrity crush.

Fast forward to 2005. I was now a wife, a mom to three teenagers, a respected elected official of my community. I had responsibilities. I was a grown up and did grown up things. Until one fall day, when I got word that at our local library’s telethon, there was going to be a special celebrity operator and his name was Robert (aka Bobby) Sherman. The one and only Bobby Sherman, my first celebrity crush, was coming to my town. I was giddy with joy. 

When the big day arrived, I got all spiffed up (hair, make-up, a cute but not too groupie looking outfit) and headed out to the telethon. I arrived at the location and was directed to the room where the volunteers were working. I walked through the door and began anxiously looking at all  of the faces hoping to spot him. It wasn't easy. I didn't recognize anyone with the trademark boyish grin and shoulder length hair. Then I saw him. But what I saw totally caught me off guard. What I saw was a middle aged man who was a sheriff!!! He had a middle aged middle and a middle aged hairline. I stared and stared some more when it hit me: my teenage crush had grown up too. Gone was the TV star, the pop singer with gold records, the hero idolized by me and millions of other teenage girls. No longer was he the center of attention. Instead, what I found was an ordinary man who had become a different kind of hero, the kind of hero that puts others before himself. Wow.

Yes, I got to meet him. Yes, I told him how I had a crush on him when I was younger (how many times had he heard that?). And yes, I finally got to hug him. It only took 35 years, but my Bobby Sherman wish finally came true.  Sigh.......

Have you ever met your celebrity crush? Did it surprise you?  

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