Anne B. and Bobby...
Wow - how do I even begin to describe the BEST birthday a girl could ever have?? It all started when my Bobby Babe Buddy, Karen asked me if I wanted to go to Rialto to see Bobby at the Car Show. I had never met Bobby, let alone ever seen him in person. She knew how disappointed I was that he didn't appear at the Fan Club Convention so I thought, "What the heck, it might be my last chance to ever see him." We set up our flights while Instant Messaging each other on the Internet - and before we knew it, we were off to sunny California. We arrived on Friday and spent the evening with Ginny, Chris and some other fellow Bobby Babes. We had a great time. On Saturday, we left our hotel bright and early headed for Rialto. I was fine - my stomach wasn't churning or anything! I didn't want to get my hopes built up too high in case he wasn't there. Karen and I were the second car of our two-car caravan and we sang and listened to Bobby CDs on our way to Rialto. We knew that we were taking a detour to Yucaipa to pick up Charlyn and us, being "out-of-towners" just followed Debra's lead. When we got to Charlyn's house we thought we were just picking her up. Instead, Debra and Ginny motioned for us to get out and come on in! OK. After we get inside we give hugs to Charlyn, Wendy and Kathy who are also going to the Car Show. Then we were hit with a bomb. "Well girls, we have two choices. We can either stay here and relax for a while since Bobby doesn't appear at the Car Show until noon, or . . . . we could take the other option." Karen says, "Why do I think 'the other option' is the one we should take?" Of course we all wanted to know what "the other option" was. We were told that Bobby was appearing at the YAPS Pet Fair just five minutes away and we could go see him there. That's when it hit!! I was sooooo stunned I didn't know what to say or do! Of course, we debated for such a long time as whether to stay at Charlyn's or go to the Pet Fair. After twisting everyone's arm we decided well, since it was only FIVE minutes away we should probably go see the guy!
We get in the car and I'm a nervous wreck. Karen keeps asking me, "Do you know what you're going to say to him?" We kept trying to figure out what I would say and of course all I could do was babble and speak in incoherent sentences! As we approached the gate to the YAPS event my stomach was in knots. I literally had tears in my eyes! Really, just ask Karen! Debra pointed out Bobby's car to us and then I knew it was going to happen. She took me by the arm and led me over to a clearing and quietly said, "Look out there Anne." There he was, in the flesh, BOBBY SHERMAN!!!! He was signing an autograph. We approach the gate and my whole body is literally shaking. The entrance to the fairgrounds was a little muddy to say the least. Well, you guessed it - as I went through the gate I dropped my camera in the mud!! To top that off, as I bent over to pick up my camera, the entire contents of my purse falls out into the mud!! What a start! All I remember is everyone telling me to go ahead, they would get my things! We head to where Bobby is and I get cold feet. I just couldn't get up the nerve to go meet THE Bobby Sherman. Had it not been for Chris literally holding me by the arm and leading me out there I don't think I would have made it! So there's Bobby, standing there getting his picture taken with an adorable baby and me waiting, shaking like a leaf! Chris walks up and says, "Bobby, this is Anne." Well, I couldn't back out now! He gives the baby back, turns to me, gives me a hug, then, to my great surprise starts singing Happy Birthday to ME!!!!! My heart was pounding so hard I thought he was going to have to give me CPR right then and there!! Imagine, having Bobby Sherman sing Happy Birthday to you!! It's one of the biggest thrills of my life. BOBBY SHERMAN!!!!!!!!! He was looking at me the entire time - those baby blues staring right at me!! Aaaaahhhhh. He asked me where I was from and of course that took a couple of seconds to think about - I couldn't even remember!! I told him that I live north of Cincinnati (most people think that Cincinnati and Cleveland are relatively close when they are only about 5 hours apart - those seem to be the only cities in Ohio people know!!) Anyway, he looks at me and says, "Isn't this great? It's beautiful!" And I, in my infinite wisdom, respond, "And yes, you make this landscape gorgeous!!" He laughs and says, "Well, Happy Birthday Anne!" Oh, my gosh, he said my name again!! We get as many pictures as possible before my legs give out from under me!! Everyone was soooooo very nice and thoughtful knowing that I had never met Bobby before. They certainly earned a patience award that day! Thanks girls.
Bobby was called over to the DJ's tent to say a few words thank goodness - it gave my heart time to calm down. Bobby acknowledged the Babes in the crowd and then he said, "Happy Birthday to Anne!" over the microphone! Well, I melted again! He looked over at me as he said it, and WOW - babump, babump went the ole heart! All too soon it was time for Bobby to leave. Of course, we high tailed it to our cars to get over to Rialto. Another dose of Bobby - two in one day - I couldn't believe it. When I had him sign my lunch box, Fred said, "I heard it's someone's birthday today Bobby!" (We wanted him to sing again so we could get it on tape!) Bobby says, "I know - I sang Happy Birthday to her earlier!" Oh well, we tried!!
I was so impressed with his patience. He took as much time as possible with each person he spoke with, signed autographs and listened intently to what each had to say. He was so genuine. All I can say girls, is that we picked one nice guy to adore! As the saying goes, "Time flies when you're having fun!" Boy did it. It was time for Bobby to leave. As Bobby drove away I hope he felt the love and appreciation in my heart follow him. He is one special guy! I think I'm going to ask Delta for a partial refund on my ticket - I flew home on Cloud Nine and didn't need the return flight!! What a thrill! I haven't landed yet!