He's so great!

This is not the best picture because it is on my husband's cell phone, but that is me with KARL MALONE!!!!!!!!!

Background - Okay, picture me as a Junior in high school. The summer Olympics have started and I see the most beautiful man in existence in a number 11 jersey playing for the Dream Team. I was in-love, ahhhhh :). I found out his name was Karl Malone and he played for the Utah Jazz. Fast forward a few months to see my locker covered in Karl Malone pictures and a signed autograph my best-friend Joy got me. You also had to see me in my 2 Karl Malone T-shirts that were worn once a week and my Jazz boxer shorts worn every night to bed - obsession, maybe.

Okay fast forward again 16 years later to today (2/7/09). Aaron and I load up the kids and head to 24-hour Fitness to workout. When we are dropping the kids off in the Kid's Club, the attendant says, "You'll have to tell me how Karl Malone looks; I heard he's working out here." I NEARLY PEED MY PANTS! I'm pretty sure my heart stopped. I went downstairs and, of course, spotted him right away - he's the biggest black man there...and he's KARL MALONE; hard to miss. I'm sure his 'stocking sensers' went up right away because I had perma-grin on my face and was having the hardest time not staring; I probably looked like a total idiot. After about 10 minutes of me trying to do abs (I kept forgetting my count and what I was suppose to be doing) Aaron said, "You'd better at least go shake his hand or you will regret it." I knew he was right, but I felt so dumb, so I started doing the buzzard circle. I kept using machines that were a little bit closer to him until I was within a few feet away. He kept looking over at me, so I'm sure he knew what was up. I finally said, "I will never forgive myself if I don't at least shake your hand." He was so nice. He shook my hand and then this is how the conversation went - now that I look back on it I realize, it is official, I'm an idiot.

Karl - "What are you giggling about?"

Me - "I was obsessed with you in High school."

Karl - "But not now, huh?"

Me - "Oh, no, I still think you are wonderful."

All of sudden Aaron is beside me (stealing me thunder). I guess my brain functioned enough to introduce him as my husband. Aaron shook Karl's hand and then said, "She's been in love with you since before we got married. Do you mind taking a picture with her?" Oh, I knew my husband was wonderful; he went back out to the car and got his cell phone after we found out Karl was there.

Well, after 2 hours of "working out", I think Aaron thought he was going to have to take the children home and come back for me. But, I was able to get a final glimpse of Karl and pull myself away from the gym. But I have been smiling and giggling to myself the rest of the day and telling anyone I could think of my story. I called my mom and all my friends from high school right away and then pulled up pictures of Karl in his glory days to show my kids who he was. Aaron is a bit tired of it all, but to the rest of you I say, "There are 2 morals to this story."

1 - Dreams do come true; even if you have to wait 16 years.

2 - Working out on the weekend is worth the sacrifice!