What happened next was very cool and totally spontaneous. Nobody
expected it - not Kelly, not her guards, not even me!

As I walked directly in front of Kelly as she remained seated at her
table, I looked over at her as I got directly across from her. I
noticed Kelly watching me with this most amazing look on her lovely
face - a combination of appreciation and sadness, as though she was
glad I came to see her, but she knew I was disappointed I didn't get
to spend as much time with her as I wanted to, that she couldn't
sign everything I wanted her to, and that I couldn't have more than
one picture taken of/with her. As Kelly was giving me this look
(paying no attention to the next fan in line), she reached across
her table and extended her left hand to me. I was carrying all my
photos and stuff in my right hand. My left hand was the only one I
had free, and Kelly's left was closest to where I had stopped. She
reached out to me to shake my hand I guess, so naturally I took her
hand in mine. I held Kelly's hand for a couple of seconds, enjoying
how that felt. Then something came over me! I gently turned her hand
as I held it so that the back of her hand pointed upward. Then I
lowered my lips to her soft suntanned skin...and I kissed Kelly's
hand!! Ok, sure it wasn't one of those steamy, soap-opera-style
kisses, but hey it was still my lips against Kelly's skin, so in my
book that's all good! *grin* I consider it to be a special moment -
and Kelly didn't slap me or anything, so I guess she didn't
completely hate the experience! ;)

I released her hand and said, "Take care Kelly" and she smiled a
little and replied, "Thank you." I took a step away, then pointed to
her as I told Kelly one last thing before I left: "You are kicking
ass on the show!" She smiled and again said, "Thank you." Then she
had to attend to the rest of her autograph line.

My next stop was the raffle tables, where I would discover I had won
an autographed Brian Gaskill photo, which I ended up trading to a
woman for an autographed Kelly photo she was about to walk off with.
One of Kelly's guards immediately followed me over there. As I began
to check the numbers, this guy comes up to me and says, "Nice job
man", referring to my encounter with Kelly. He had plenty of polite
questions about my connection to Kelly, so I shared a few of the
highlights. He was impressed, saying he thought it was really nice
that I've been able to get to know Kelly, and that she knows me.

As I watched Kelly leave for the night at the end of last year's PC
Fan Dinner, she walked out of the room by herself. As I watched her
leave for the night at the end of this year's event, she walked out
of the room completely surrounded by at least a half a dozen guards.
Only Kelly got this treatment - none of the other stars did. While I
am glad steps were taken to assure Kelly's safety, I hate that such
steps were deemed necessary in the first place. Kelly deserves to
feel safe, without being nearly isolated from her adoring fans, some
of whom traveled across the country to attend this annual event, as
I did - and(in my case)mostly just to see her again.

So my trip was good...not great, but good. However, it got better
after I got back! A couple of days after I returned to NH, I E-
mailed Kelly's little sister to tell her of my vacation, and to let
her know I was back. Later that day, I received an e-mail from her.
It was a message Kelly asked her sister to send to me from her!
Kelly wanted me to know she called ABC, got the birthday present I
mailed her, and she loved it! She also said she was sorry she
couldn't sign everything I had for her, and to bring it to Super
Soap Weekend. Kelly went on to thank me so much for my support and
everything, and to say that everything was nice. Kelly also informed
me she was sending her little sister the photos I had brought Kelly
to give to her. I thought it was really cool and sweet of Kelly to
have her sister forward me her message, but then that's the Kelly
Monaco we Kelly fans know and love - really cool, and really sweet.

I guess now I have to find a way to make it to SSW this November. I
had NO intention of going to that event again, but if Kelly honestly
would like for me to attend, how can I say no to her?! Besides, even
if it's only for a brief amount of time, it's still always a
pleasure to see Kelly.

I'll be looking forward to seeing you there as well, Bri...and so
will Kelly! :)

Kelly's #1 fan,
kellyfan1