Friday, November 8, 2013

Twilight Is and Will Always Be Forever

When I first started writing about the “dirtiest clean book” you've ever read, I was holding back any and all emotions, I didn't want to finish this article that meant my story and journey was over. With the anniversary of Tent City, fan camp the Breaking Dawn part 2 premiere I knew it was time for me to finish my story.

Twilight is forever it will always been ingrained in our lives and in our hearts. Think I am wrong, just look at the people you tweet with, have a laugh with go on vacations with they are more than likely our friends that we have met due to the phenomenon of this book series and movies. We are part of something so special and unique it is almost hard to put into words.


The books are read countless times. The movies were seen to massive appeal that Twilight got back all its money just from its midnight movie ticket sales ensuring we got the rest of our beloved saga on the big screen. Conventions popped up around the globe and we went to them in droves dropping hundreds sometimes thousands of dollars as we flew from city to city to be near our favorite stars. Even the stars we met knew it was something amazing and unique we formed our own Twilight family and community.

I personally was able to forge some friendships with several of the actors from the movies. No I am not going to disclose all my information or theirs. We all had our “person” that made us swoon smile and go nuts for. The best part; they knew who we were. Not always just our faces, but our names or Twitter handles. How cool is that? How many other people can say they got that with any other movie series? I can’t think of anyone.

I went to my first Tent City for the final movie which also happened to coincide with the last Twilight convention that was held by the fabulous people of Creation Entertainment. Knowing that it was all coming to an end I was a bundle of raw emotion, not unlike how I am now as I am writing this article and thinking of all the amazing memories. How can it be over? We need more conventions that was my main focus I couldn’t even start to think about or imagine the end of our movies. So many more characters that were introduced to us in the final part of the movie that could have graced us in person at our conventions, but no this was it our journey was coming to an end. At our final convention we has some our absolute faves: Charlie Bewley, Tinsel Korey, Booboo Stewart, Peter Facinelli, Gil Birmingham, Julia Jones, Bronson Pelletier, Alex Meraz and they introduced us to Rami Malek it was his first and last Creation convention they pulled out all the stops the only we could have asked for was more conventions and that the fun would never end. When it was time for our photo ops, I was bawling for the most part it meant having to say good bye to these amazing people that we may not see again. These people that became part of our lives as we saw them month after month when we traveled like vagabonds to see them at our famous conventions. How do you say good bye to them? How do you convey the impact that they made on some of our lives? The only words I seemed to get out to Tinsel at the Saturday night dance was simply Thank You for it all. I saw Charlie and my tears betrayed me. I couldn't look at him or face him. He has to be the hardest working self promoting, funny, intelligent man I have come across at the conventions. Saying good bye or thank you wasn’t an option the words I would like to say to him for being so amazing not only to me, but to my dear friend Savannah who has to be his number one fan escaped me, was so much more than a thank you or a good bye. How do you put into words the impact he made on our lives? The drinking and fun at the conventions the crazy hand motion we didn't quite understand to save him, the great funny Bewlyisms we have, the jokes and it all Thank You is appropriate, but it is and was so much more.

When it was time to pack up and leave the hotel and start to venture towards Tent City that was when my emotions kicked in even harder. I don’t think Tara, our writer and my close friend, knew I was even battling all these emotions. We had a place at Tent City, but that didn't mean we would be at the Black Carpet or even see any of the stars, let alone get an autograph. The only things we did know about the next part of this adventure was that we were doing it together, we were going to meet crazy Twihards from all over the world, it was going to be hectic and chaotic, and most of all we were going to have a blast while doing it all.

Tent city was an adventure! To getting all of our stuff together to seeing your friends from different groups getting their wristbands and moving along. We were cold, wet, and very cranky and irritable, but we were together and making memories and friends. We got the famous wrist band, we cried screamed and moaned, but we did it. next challenge setting up our tent Melinda and Tara @BellaDonna2100 to the rescue. I was beat, freezing, wet and battling a cold. I got to sit and watch and take it all in. Just looking around at all the tents and people was mind blowing. Some tents were decorated with pictures and words and some were tiny little tents that only one person could fit in. It was absolutely amazing and fun and crazy. I still can’t believe I was there and part of this. We were the last group, the forgotten step children. They hadn't planned for all the people that had come. Really? I mean this was not the first tent city this was the last they should have known about all the crazies that were going to want to be there and part of the final chapter in the series.

We got to see so many of the stars come to Tent city to bring up the hopes  of those in the group 4 and beyond and spread the love sign autographs till their hands cramped and took so many pictures that we now know what it’s like to be snapped by the paparazzi. We got to see Pat Brennan, Judi Shekoni, Charlie Bewley, Booboo Stewart, Mia Maestro, Erik Odom and countless others. A special person to show up in Tent City was Christian Camargo a personal friend of mine. He came to see me as well Melissa @Rosmelie who is and always will be #TeamDenali, no fanfare, no warning, he just came to give us some gifts, say thank you to us and say hi! Tent city was looking up… Finally. It was the day before we found out our placement on or near the carpet everyone was on edge and guessing what to do. There was a note up to tell us when to line up and what to do. DO NOT follow the orders you don't get on the carpet.
Jackson Rathbone

We lined up at the crack of dawn, we packed water, and snacks into our bags we knew we were not going to be able to eat, drink or use the bathroom for hours. All of our complaining and unfair treatment paid off, we found out we yes we the evil step children of group 4 were going to be at the front of the carpet. Every single star that walked the carpet HAD to pass us for those autographs and photo ops! I was brought to tears happy tears of course we made it, we survived tent city and it paid off. We were going to see Rob, Taylor and Kristen in the flesh up close and personal. I had to pinch myself; I had Tara on my left, Tina @Twlightgrandma on my right with Melinda @LckyRoll7 close to her. Tina and I were an emotional mess. We were all doing this together. Hours passed we saw the press setting up in front of us time to check the makeup and stop the tears, we had to have constant smiles plastered on our faces we didn’t want to be published crying or scowling. We got to see firsthand what went into the setting up and bringing the carpet and even to life, I got to say it was beyond cool. We were interviewed by foreign press both for web and publications. This was really happening.
The sun started to set and the stars came in. We had perfect placement we could hear the squeals from the fangirls before us to know who was making their way down to us. This was happening. Our fave stars made their way to us, we got autographs and pictures and so many fantastic memories. I was able to get some thank you’s out for the amazing memories and fun I had over the years with Daniel Cudmore, Charlie Bewley, Tinel Korey and the amazing Christopher Heyerdahl and so many others. I sadly was in complete shock and awe, and forever worrying about the site I didn't get any pics with Rob, Taylor, or Kristen.
I got some great close ups, but none with them. For those that have never been to an premiere before you have seconds to get pics, and autographs while having people behind you pushing and shoving and yelling for their chance, you have seconds to decide what you want and you can’t change your mind, split second decisions.


With the carpet over they started to usher us into the theater to see the movie, with the stars. That’s right we got to sit in the same movie theater as the stars on the big screen. I still don’t think as I was able to process what had just happened and what was still happening as I was stumbling through the darkness to find our seats, the movie had started already, I saw glimpses of Christian Camargo, Cameron Bright, and who could miss the tall and dapper Daniel Cudmore sitting in the theater watching the movie with us for the first time. I did know the adrenaline was wearing off, and I was starting to hurt as I sat and watched the big screen at the Nokia Theater after all we stood in one spot from about 10 am till 7 pm or maybe later on the carpet. Blown away was all I could come up with, to describe the movie and the experience.

When the movie let out we got to mingle and say thanks and give praise to the actors that gave us our movies, truly adding to the amazing day and experience.

Fast forward a year and we are getting or got Twilight Forever the box set with 2 hours of never before seen content, a commemorative photo album and the memories of the past year come rushing back tenfold wonderful fantastic memories. We are part of something we are our own community of friends that have become a family. We lean on each other for love and support, we found out we all have more in common than Twilight, but that was and will always be our common link for Forever.

To name and thank all the people that I have met through the years would be a full article within itself, but I will try to list and thank the ones that have stood out and have been there for me with this crazy journey.
To the amazing Sharon Lottes who works her ass off for @TwiBetween and brings us the most amazing fund raising events with @Forever_inForks I love you loads and I am in awe of all the things you do. You will always have a place in my heart Forever.

The fantastic @TracyC25 we followed each other Forever and when we finally met at Tent City and I was able to get a long overdue hug from you I was a crying idiot. You are amazeballs girl. I miss you and love you to bits. We are so much more than Twilight.. We are hockey fans unless my team plays yours,  However our friendship will still be Forever.

What can I say about Sabrina @PurpleBrina17? Once again Tent City brought us together. She is a fighter the strongest woman I know and rock for us all. When I grow up I want to be YOU! We party hard and love harder. I love you and I am there for you whenever you need me.

@MirandaMajor You are up next on my list. I met you at the Forever party at Lucky Strike, we drank we laughed and had a blast. You are fun as hell. We got interviewed for some German web show thing or was it Australia in Tent City, who knows we were tipsy and having fun dishing about our fave men of the Twilight Saga and making asses out of ourselves all at the same time.

The amazing Tina @Twlightgrandma . You and I go back to the Nashville convention and countless tweets. You are my inspiration and my pick me up whenever I need it. You seem to sense this and seem to always text or tweet me when I need you without a spoken word shared. I am so happy you were able to share the tent city experience with me and be there. To see your face light up when the stars came by was amazing. You brighten up my timeline and my world and I love you for it.

To the amazing, funny, silly, @TroysMyAngel the tales you and I could tell. We have been to too many conventions and have gotten into so much trouble together and have had such a blast I count you not only as my Savage, but my friend, confidant and cohort. You are so alive and crazy and wild, and have such a huge heart and such a warm compassionate side that not many get to see.  I am Forever grateful for Twilight, for bringing us together to share our craziness and fangirling with someone so amazing.

Melinda at Fan Camp with Pat
Melinda @LckyRoll7, we met a convention and instantly clicked and have never looked back. With numerous conventions under our belts drinking till the break of dawn and being the best damn “Security and PR” people around, I am happy to call you one of my best friends. We've partied at Tent City, sent the Staten Island girls up the rivah and everything in between, Forever doesn't seem long enough to describe our friendship and bond.

I met my best friend Sarah @SarahLeaV at a Twilight convention and we are thick as thieves now and are inseparable. We've conquered my fangirling over Dan, your wolf  girl tendencies transferred over to being a true Volturi girl, keeping me upright when I met Ian and traveled all over the place; next stop for us, surviving NYC, Romeo & Juliet and my birthday. What’s next, who cares long as we do it together.  I thank you Twilight for bringing her into my life; I’d be lost without her, trust me she knows this every time I pack for a trip.

I know I am forgetting some of you. But you all mean the world to me and then some and are in my heart and in my cell phone always.

So many people have touched my life from the conventions and that is because of Twilight and you each know how awesome and special you are to me.

To the stars of the saga that I have come to know as well as any fan can. Thank you. Thank you for all the hard work and putting up with us crazy fans. Thank you for taking your weekends to live out of suitcases and join us and entertain us at the conventions. Thank you for being an inspiration to so many and just plain and simple thank you for being you.

The memories we have made and the fun we had will go with us where ever we. We have made friends for life and it was all because of a little book that was a dream to Stephenie Meyer. We hold our heads high and say YES WE ARE TWILIGHT fans, YES we are GROWN women crying and shaking and swooning and camping out on the street for a glimpse of the Hunks of Twilight. We are Twilight Fans and we are here Forever. 

6 comments:

  1. Aww,me sweet,sweet,apple dumplin',it was such a pleasure ta finally meet n fer real hug you! The memories of that week will Forever be in me heart n soul,unlike Nashville we had a whole week ta be giddy n fangirly,it was me first real Twilight gig n I was sa afraid I'd be outta place fer bein sa old,hell fire was I wrong,not around you,Mel,Tara n April.So sad it was gone like a flash,but me mission was accomplished,ta meet all the new vamps,(well cept me fav,Guri),get pics, n finally meet n give a Big Ole Hug ta me honey darlins' from Twitter! Yes, I'm a Grandma, n Yes I Do Hold Me Head Damn High,cause I.Am. A. Twilight Fan. FOREVER.I love ya Jenn n nutin' can er will ever take that away,not even when Grandma leaves this crazy place we call earth. Mwah!

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  2. Tina, your comment made me cry so. I love you so much and hold you so close to my heart, you have no idea. Miss you like mad!

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  3. SERIOUSLY.......you made me tear up. I dont even know what to say but I love you and you rock my world. Thank you for making my heart super happy. (((Hugs))) can't wait to party with you again soon.

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  4. i've really enjoyed reading your twilight-related posts. i feel like i could live a little vicariously through your past experiences. and this one was great! even though i WAS there at tent city (it's where i met you!!), i love hearing about the time you spent on the black carpet. that was something i wish i had gotten to live as well. alas, "camp reject" through and through, we were in the bleachers... in the very top row. haha.
    hopefully this wasn't the last of your retrospective posts about your twi-life.

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  5. Seriously Girl...I have tears streaming down my face at work. I will kidnap your ass anytime & we will have a blast. can't wait to see you again. The friendships I have made through twilight will last a lifetime & I am so blessed to have the best group of ladies EVAH.

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  6. wow....this was a truly beautiful post! it's inspiring to hear about the friendships you've made and the adventures you've had!

    thank you for posting this <3

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