[carrie1fan]

WARNING: THIS IS QUITE LONG AND DETAILED BUT WELL WORTH THE READ!


How can I try and formulate words to describe how wonderful of an evening (weekend) this was for me? It was filled with so many memories that I hold near and dear to my heart! To be apart of this momentous occasion in Carrie's career was simply amazing! I met so many FC members that I see post often and respond to (most times) and it was great to put faces to names! The camaraderie found amongst the fans at this gathering was so moving and touching! We all were there to celebrate the induction of our beloved Carrie Underwood and that is certainly what had happened!

The weekend started with a 3 hour and 50 min flight delay in the Philadelphia International Airport! Don't fret, we didn't let the rain delay or weather ruin our moods! We had our eye on the game plan and that was to get to Nashville, TN that night! After landing in Chicago, YES Chicago (Don't ask me why) we JUST made our connecting flight to Nashville. Did you ever see the movie Home Alone? Well yes, that's what Jen (My Carrie Partner in Crime/Jed1014) and Ed (Her hubby) looked like! We ran and were the LAST people to get on the plane! Whew! The flight to Nashville from Chicago was fast and the instant we landed it all became real! For me to get on a plane and fly for Carrie was quite something! I must add that I am afraid of heights and I hadn't been on a plane in about 7 years! Nashville, oh Nashville let me count the ways......(that I adore thee)! LOL!

Perry (Carrieluver) and Matt (Underwoodluver78) were there to pick us up from the airport! Thanks you two! However, we encountered another mishap! The luggage that Jen and Ed had checked in was not there! It was lost! No sweat, however, because I had convinced Jen that we MUST not let this get us down! It didn't and we were on our way to downtown Nashville! Driving the highways in TN while listening to GOOTT on the radio was so great! I couldn't believe I was actually there and the weekend that I had anticipated for so long was finally here as well!

We made it downtown safely at a good hour and walked around immediately! Hearing the TN accents coming out of people's mouths was great! I just love that southern charm! LOL We hit a bar called "Cadillac Ranch" I believe! It was a very nice bar with a great atmosphere playing great dance music! Just what we all wanted! After being there all of 20 min a mini fight breaks out, right behind me no less! It was all good nothing major happened, even though a guy was slightly bleeding from his nose! We stayed for a little while and then headed towards our hotel! Thankfully, it wasn't too far I had to pee and pee BAD! I swear every bump we hit I thought I was going to need depends! LOL! But thankfully, the speed limit was only 24 mph! Yes, you heard me right 24 mph! What state does that? Why not make it 25 mph! HAHA! I found that number quite amusing as did my fellow friends I was with! Well, the night came to a close and we head to bed all anticipating what we knew was going to be one of the best night's of not only our lives, but the life of a young lady named Miss Carrie Underwood!

We awaken early on Saturday morning knowing full well that was our only day to lolly about in Nashville! First things first, however, Jen and Ed needed and prayed for their luggage to arrive! During breakfast Jen got a rather joyful phone call stating that their luggage was found and that it was on route to our hotel! Ed had to stay behind for an hour or so before meeting up with us at the Opry store because of that however! While at the Grand Ole Opry House we bump into none other than Glenn and Tammy! I was very excited to meet Glenn, nothing against Tammy, I had already met and hung out with her previously (but its always nice to see familiar faces)! We discussed the photo that Glenn had planned and he had informed me of some rather alarming news! He let me know that the FC was now involved and that they were sending out emails/phone calls seeing who was attending! I had panicked for I had not received a phone call and I had NO internet access! I figured the FC was thinking of doing something special with Carrie for her fans and now I may not be able to partake! I was very disheartened and upset to say the least! I did, however, bottle those emotions up and got to shopping! I bumped into Lana and Robin in the store while shopping! They were getting ready to attend their Grand Ole Opry tour! We talked only briefly, but I love those ladies! They seem super sweet and nice! I had met both of them previously before! While waiting for Jen and Perry to finish shopping, I went outside and bumped into Dave, someone I had been dying to meet! He was super sweet and friendly and his daughter was a doll! We talked for sometime and then Matt, Perry, Jen, and myself headed back to the hotel to pick up Ed! We all then went downtown to buy our last minute souvenirs and took in the sights of downtown Nashville before departing for the last and final time! TEAR!

We then rushed back to the Grand Ole Opry house to make the 2 p.m. tour! While in there we bumped into Paula, another person I was dying to meet and we chatted for quite a bit! You are too sweet! I hope that isn't the last I see of you! HAHA! The tour was amazing! Just having the opportunity to stand on the stage the same night Carrie was getting inducted gave me goosebumps! I felt it in the air and it was definitely going to be an AMAZING night!

Finally, it was time to head over to the mall to meet the rest of the FC members! While walking through the mall I really couldn't believe what was about to happen to me and to Carrie! I was just overcome with so many different emotions knowing I would be meeting people that get me and feel the same way about Carrie! It was a magical meeting that took place in that Nashville mall! Something I will never forget! To everyone that I met, you are all so beautiful inside and out and your love for Carrie shines brightly from you! I appreciated meeting each and everyone of you and I am so glad that I can now call you all my friends!

At about 5 p.m we head over to the Grand Ole Opry House! It was so great seeing a group of people in FC shirts! All the love and support Carrie had that night was just too intense to even try to comprehend or explain! We waited for Matt to direct us as to where to go etc. I was getting very nervous thinking I was not on the list that was made and that I would not be able to partake in the group photo that we all had figured was going to be happening! The minute I saw Matt I approached him and explained my situation to him! I told him that I did respond to my email but just a few hours before because of being in the air on a plane at the time that the FC had sent the email! He was very kind and generous and said "hey what's up" pulled out his iphone and said I will check it out for you and see if your on the list! He left for about 10 minutes and then comes back with THE LIST! This list could be the life or death of me! You can ask anyone in attendance I was panicking and panicking bad! Matt had never came back to let me know if I was on it! Ah, it was worth the shot to ask though! Walking up to him in the line I started to feel bad vibes! I really thought I didn't make the response email in time! I get up to him, as it was my turn and say "Renee Celotto"! The list was in ABC order so I figured OMG he passed the C's I am done, I am not on it! And he then checked the second page and my heart started to race! The tears were forming people! I was getting there...then I said check Renee Cc knowing that was on my meet and greet envelope back in March! Well, that was the ticket! He found my name and checked me off! I was one happy camper to say the least! Huh Jen, Matt, Perry, and Harvey?

We all get signed in and then line up to take the photo! We took 2 without Carrie and positioned ourselves having the smallest people in the front kneeling down! Jen and I were dead center! I had no problems with that! The anticipation had been building ever since Matt said if you haven't already guessed it Carrie is taking a picture with you all! We waited and waited for what seemed like forever and then finally the gates of heaven (HAHA) opened and an angel called Carrie Underwood appeared! She immediately smiled and waved and you can tell she was really nervous and very appreciative of all of us being there for her! She made her way right in front of me and Jen! We were so excited! Then she bent over and said hello to little Carrie, Wayde's little girl who we were taking care of! (Since her daddy wanted to take the picture instead of being in it)! It was so great! She then went directly behind me, almost tripping on my handbag! Gosh! I was so nervous for her! I said oh wait a second! Could you imagine? I was happy she didn't get hurt or fall or anything! Then we all took the pictures and like that it was over! She thanked all of us for coming far and close and said it was all good! Most of us kept congratulating her and she even wished the 16th year old next to me a Happy Birthday! I thought that was really sweet! She then headed back to the bus and we headed to our seats to see the magical event that was about to take place!