Let me start by saying that I still have what my friends who were with me Sat. night have deemed my perma-smile. I just can't stop smiling.

This was my 1st trip to NYC and my 1st show of any kind. We left Atlanta Thursday evening for our trip to the big city. My sister and two friends (Jerry and Jeremy) arrived in NYC mid evening and took a limo to our hotel a block and a half off Time Square. We checked in and then went out to wander around. Overwhelming would be an understatement.

After a rather bad start to my Friday, I fell stepping off the sidewalk into the middle of Broadway on my way to breakfast, we spent the rest of the day sightseeing (in the rain).

Saturday morning we left bright and early to see the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty and let me say that was very humbling. We spent most of the day out seeing the sights. After we realized we had stayed way to long on the island we ended up taking a taxi (now that was an experience) back to Time Square for dinner. We then headed back to the hotel to change and off to the show we went. Now let me say that having never been to a show I had no idea what to expect. Our seats were on the front row (me at Center Stage) and I could have reached out and touched them at some points. OMG I could not believe it. When Van walked out on stage I know that I gasped and sighed. I could not keep my eyes off of him when he was on the stage. Very hard to concentrate on the other cast members.

Of course there was a standing O at the end of the show and Charles commented on the crowds they had seen during the strike. Van looked down at us and smiled. Very cute and sexy.

Afterwards we waited around and were able to meet Van. He was very gracious and signed autographs for all of us. I had a special one signed for a friend on the board (again you are so welcome) and when I told him that I wanted it for a friend he was like that is so sweet. After a couple of minutes he paused and looked at me and said, wait a second you guys were on the front row, that's so cool. (OMG he actually saw and remembered.) He asked where we were from, said he could tell we were from the south, just not where, we told him just north of Atlanta and he said he hoped to visit someday. After hugs and pictures with all he thanked us for coming and said he was grateful for all the support from ATWT viewers. I told him my grandmother who is 85 watches everyday and he started laughing and said that was wonderful.

After that we floated back to the hotel and then headed for home on Sunday after a quick trip to Ground Zero, Tiffany's and FAO Shawartz. I am so glad that I went. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Van was incredibly sweet and humble and if I weren't already in love with him, I certainly would have been after the show. I can now say that we have 2 more Van fans (Jerry and Jeremy), my sister was already a fan.

Pictures are below and memories that I will forever treasure.