A Star is Born

It's funny. I know that I am not a celebrity. I realize that not one person on this planet wants my autograph and that most people I meet in Times Square would prefer me to be behind the camera taking their picture than in front of it. All the same, I feel a little bit like a celebrity.

Now, unlike a certain fiancé of mine (I won't name names), I am not answering the telephone as if I am a business - an entity - my own corporation. One hypothetical example could be, "Hollywood Pace speaking". I haven't let The Ellen Show go to my head as this faceless man has; but I have had a small dose of fame - very small - one tiny drop - and I'm showering in it.

At my restaurant, people are calling me over to their tables to ask me all about the show:
"Did you know he was going to propose?"
"What was Ellen like? Did you get to talk to her?"
"Did you know your parents would be there?"
"Why in the world would he try to propose via satellite?"

They also ask questions, assuming that Ellen DeGeneres and I are now BFF:
"How is Ellen's back feeling?"
"Can Ellen dance? Does she practice backstage? Does she stretch?"
"Is Houston kin to Ellen? Oh, he's from Kentucky, too? Well, then are you kin to Houston?"

I found myself waiting on Kathie Lee Gifford as she and some friends had lunch Wednesday. Now this is a lady who is a real celebrity; but rather than talk to her or ask for her autograph, a couple and their daughter flagged me down and took my picture! I looked around and couldn't help but think to myself, "Kathie Lee who?"

I am desperately trying to be humble, but I am on cloud 9. I have a constant grin on my face. And when things get busy or tense at work, I just stare at my beautiful engagement ring. I'm so happy. happy. happy.

And I gotta say, Ellen Show or not, that Jerrod Pace sure is a great guy. I'm gonna hang on to him. After all, I'll soon be looking for that perfect accessory on my arm for the Oscars.

Only one more daydream away.

Mrs. Jerrod Lee Pace

I am not sure when this will happen. I am only sure that it will.

As of February 10, 2005, Alecia Kaye Whitaker (yours truly) has actually found her betrothed and she cannot believe it. Cannot believe that someone can love her so wholly:
- Can be dragged out on the dance floor to a cheesy slow song.
- Can hum along to any song that pops into her head and out of her mouth.
- Can sit through Gone With the Wind and pretend that he liked it.

I know that my blogging fans are expecting a long involved tale about how and where and all those little details, but I'd rather just point out the most important part...

that he loves me.

The glitter in my ring is so dark and mirky in comparison to the way his blue eyes shone when he got down on his knee. I've never seen him look more handsome. I've never felt more loved. Even in a red tuxedo jacket and bow tie, I've never felt more beautiful. At that moment, I only heard him ask me to be his wife...

and I couldn't wait to say 'yes'.