When I was a sophomore in high school, I competed in the “Autumn Leaf” pageant. I’ll wait for you to stop your snickering. Done? OK good. Now, in this land of little small town America I grew up in, this was a BIG DEAL. My best friend at the time, whom I’m still close with, was a year older than me. We danced together for years, took voice lessons from the same college professor, and essentially, I was a younger, less talented version than her. No, really. I was. Not to say I wasn’t talented, because I am….but this girl? This girl ended up at University of the Arts, majoring in musical theatre, and is making a name for herself on Broadway as well as the Philly theatre scene. So really, when I say that she was talented, I kid you not.

I never felt threatened. In fact I was in awe of her, and her talent. And while both of us had a lot in common, we were very different people. But somehow? Somehow our friendship worked. And grew. And we were each other’s own personal cheerleaders. We knew that when we could not count on anyone else, we would always be there for each other. Helping find the perfect pitch with a troublesome spot, bobby pinning each other hair at a recital, being the harmony to one’s melody as we would sing in the car, and most of all, laughing and whispering secrets beneath the sheets as we were each other’s roomies for the bajillion dance competitions we attended together. In short, we were the odd couple. But we worked.

She was a junior, and I, a sophomore. While I won the essay contest, and she the interview (I think?) our scores matched each other to the T. And then it came down to the talent portion. I tap danced and sang…while she simply sang a song from the musical “Ragtime.” A very risque song for a pageant, but good lord do I remember standing back stage and watching her.

Rooting her on.

I cried she was so good. Because I was so genuinely happy for her…and mostly, because she owned the stage that night. She truly earned the crown. And if anyone were to have it, I wouldn’t want it to be anybody but her. Because she deserved it. She, was truly the winner. And I? I was happy enough to simply be ranked amongst her. Because that..

Was an honor in itself.

I ended up taking the place of 1st runner up, and she won the crown. My family and boyfriend joked that I was the “1st loser” and should therefore, hold the title of the “Acorn Queen” because you know, if she was the Autumn Leaf queen, it only makes sense, since acorns fall to the ground, and not flash their beautiful colors above in the trees. Obviously, quite fitting. Since then, time has passed, and I’ve been the Acorn Queen in other areas of my life, and my family lovingly refers back to that nickname when such events arise in my life.

Where am I going with this story? It’s quite simple.

I was nominated in three categories for the 20 something blogger awards: most sincere, most likeable, and best mid sized blog….and I? Did not win any of them. (That’s OK though! I didn’t write this post to be a woe is me story! Keep reading! I promise!) And for one, I never mentioned my nominations because while floored at the honor, it just didn’t feel right to me to bring it up. And that’s a personal thing. However Iwant you all to know that even though I didn’t mention it, does not take away from what I felt: that it was honor enough to have been placed amongst the other talented writers in said categories.

When I read the winners, I was transported right back to that moment in time…standing backstage with the red velvet curtain and stage lights, glowing with the fate of someone who meant the world to me, who completely owned the stage, and deserved to wear the crown.

My blogging little sis, Libby….a blog crush of mine, Oh How Lovely, and most of all, my IBFF, Tortious….

I wave to you three beautiful, intelligent and talented ladies as the Acorn Queen…and I remain honored, just to be in your presence. Some may think that what I’m about to say is going to be super cheesy, but it’s the truth, so deal with it.

You three ladies (and all of the other amazingly talented bloggers) already wear a proverbial crown in my heart…and I’m so genuinely happy to see others recognize your incredible talent. Well done, ladies. Well done.