It was the week before Christmas and my cousin was visiting from Miami. She hadn't done any Christmas shopping yet, so we were spending most of our time at the mall crossing people off of her list. We'd just decided to get an eyebrow wax and then head to Macy's for some Clinique products. Well, after we walked out of Merle Norma and turned right toward Macy's, that's when I saw him. A man taking a picture with two girls in front of the doors to Macy's. That's the first thing that caught my eye. Why would these people want a picture in front of Macy's? What's so special about it? Then I noticed the two girls back away and start gawking at the picture they just took. The man just laughed and smiled. I thought to myself "that guy totally looks like Mark Schwahn." I told my cousin and she was like "who the hell is Mark Schwahn? And why would he be here?" That's right, why would he be here? In our stupid little mall? In the middle of Illinois? At Christmas time? I brushed it off like I had seen a look-a-like – an imposter.
I couldn't shake the thought though, so when I got home I googled Mark. Turns out he's from a little town about 30 minutes from here and they DO NOT have a mall. The closest mall would be ours. Perhaps he was visiting his family for the holidays? This just confirmed to me that IT WAS HIM! I can't believe I missed my chance to shake hands and take a picture with the man that created my all time favorite show. Ug! At least, I know it was really him and I can tell stories like this, that I've seen him in the flesh in our little mall in the middle of Illinois.
....and that my friends is the story of how I almost met a celebrity.
I am sad that OTH is ending... It' been such a big part of my life for all these years.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that Mark was from IL either.
Ahhhh Mark Schwan!! I would have geeked out.
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