Everyone has their little indulgences, their little special moments that mean something only to that person. For me, one of those special things, one of those kind of silver lining moments is watching The Today Show.
When I was still working full-time teaching high school, being home to watch The Today Show was a rarity and a real treat. For that to happen usually meant that something was up…either I was home sick, I was home on maternity leave, or more often than not, I was home because one of our little ones was sick. That also meant most times it had been a long night and an early morning. So for me to kick back, coffee mug in hand to watch The Today Show was definitely a highlight!
It was during that time, in those little moments, I came to really enjoy seeing and watching Jenna Bush Hager as a guest anchor and reporter. l loved what she brought to the program. Her segments weren’t necessarily news as much as they were stories, and I loved the way she would tell the story. I liked that we both had young kids. I liked that we were both former educators. And at some point I thought, if I were ever going to tell stories, I would want to tell them the way she does…sweet, poignant, relatable, with a bit of humor and a hint of a southern accent (I can assure you my accent is way, way more noticeable).
Two years ago, when I first started writing notes and stories and what has become this blog (and hopefully in the future will become a New York Times Bestseller book), I also wrote down some declarations. I had to be clear about what I would do, why I would do it, and how I would know when I made it. One of the declarations I wrote down was “To be on the Today Show.” I knew when that happened, I would have reached my version of success.
So imagine my excitement when I got to meet Jenna Bush Hager!
Ok, actually that day hasn’t happened. Yet. I’ll just have to preface this by saying this will obviously be a two-part blog entry…the first part now, and the second part when we actually do meet.
Last fall Jenna Bush Hager was contracted to be the keynote speaker at a local conference. Not only that, it was my husband’s work that contracted her. Not only that, it was part of my husband’s job on the day of the conference to escort her before and after the keynote. I was ecstatic at the news and even more so when he explained how I could be with him throughout the entire process. I thought, what a dream come true!
But then we realized the conflict. She would be arriving, speaking, then leaving all during the same time our oldest daughter would be cheering and performing at her high school homecoming pep rally. Of course our daughter begged and pleaded I go meet Jenna, but that was not going to be my priority, we were going to support our daughter.
My husband worked it out so that another colleague would escort Jenna before her keynote, but that my husband would watch the pep rally, leave right after, and still make it in time for Jenna’s keynote and departure. I had considered doing the same and joining him, but with five kids to shuffle around in the afternoons, it just didn’t seem feasible without an awful lot of juggling and favors. Besides, I really wanted to be relaxed and present for our daughter’s Friday homecoming festivities.
When my husband continued to ask if I wanted help or if I could rearrange my afternoon so I could meet Jenna, I simply told him, “It really is ok that I don’t meet Jenna at the conference. I’ll just meet her another time when I am on The Today Show.”
I told him that and I meant it. Really. I have a vision of meeting her when I am on The Today Show, and I am working towards that vision little by little each and every day.
Turns out, after Jenna’s keynote (which by the way, I heard was amazing), my husband had the chance to meet her and speak with her briefly. What I didn’t know at the time was that he mentioned me to her. He told her about me, told her that I am writing, and told her I said I would meet her when I am on the show.
It was during that brief conversation she autographed a note for me. My husband had it framed, gave it to me, and it now sits in my bedroom where I can see it when I write. He told me she loved the story about me, that she loved my name, and she looks forward to one day meeting me.
So for now, I am writing and posting and hoping and praying and holding fast to a vision where I can continue to share and connect with other people. I look across at the framed note as a reminder of the things I promised myself I would do. The truth is, it’s not so much about Jenna Bush Hager as it is believing in my goal and others believing in it as well. If she is excited to meet me, then it is my job to make that happen. I have a vision of hugging and laughing as we retell this story, right before we discuss my best-selling book, right there on the set of The Today Show. The truth is, I can’t wait!
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