Much thanks to Dave (Dolphine) from
Anna Friel's Official Website for notifying Anna's fans about a free public screening for the first episode of
Pushing Daisies in Hollywood.
We arrived at the Hollywood Cemetary to pick a spot out on the grass & at the time, only a few fans had arrived early. I asked one of the staff members if Anna Friel was going to be present at the premiere & she confirmed that Anna would be attending. I was unbelievably excited!
The creator of the show (Bryan Fuller) was walking around the lawn and chatting with fans & I rushed over to meet him and shake his hand. He's brilliant, I talked with him awhile about the show & his past works.
I started looking everywhere in my seat for any sign of Anna, the crowd had gotten so large that I couldn’t make out anyone in the area. I decided that my best chance of spotting her would be at the exclusive area they blocked off for the cast, crew & their families. I looked over continuously & I recognized Des cross the field (Anna’s father) & behind him I noticed there was a very tall man holding a little girl.
I can’t even begin to tell you all what went through my head when I realized that it was David Thewlis. I had absolutely no clue that David was going to be in attendance that night for the premiere. It was...unbelievable & very unexpected!
Don’t ask me what happened during the first episode of
Pushing Daisies. I was in so much shock that I could barely pay attention to what was happening. How could I when David was sitting directly in front of me?! Anna crossed the lawn to be with David, Gracie & her family, every other minute I would peer over at them still in disbelief that we we're in the same spot.
After the episode ended, everyone clapped & stood up. A majority of attendees decided to leave. As soon as security removed the caution tape surrounding the VIP area, I hurried to where David was seated. I waited behind him as he stood up & it took me a lot of courage to finally tap him on the back to gain his attention. I was shaking so much & I could barely speak or think - I don't think I had ever been so nervous in my entire life.
I finally managed to say, “Mr. Thewlis, my name is Amanda...I run davidthewlis.net, 'Thewlis Rox', a fan site dedicated to you.” He immediately lit up & said “Oh, I’ve heard of that website, I visit it often!"
I started crying.
What I can remember after that...we hugged & David kept tapping my back & saying 'awww'. I kept repeating myself & telling him how much I admired him & told him that he's changed my life. He told me that he visits ‘Thewlis Rox’ often & he enjoys the website very much!
I brought along the pictures of the scrapbook I made of David & Anna a few years ago for Gracie, a copy of the letter I sent to them, & a picture I brought for Anna to sign. David looked through the photos & he was smiling. I didn’t notice my mother had been talking to Anna & she pointed her in my direction. Anna came over to greet me & she was carrying Gracie. I could barely speak, but my mother told both of them that I made the scrapbook last year & how I decided to pursue my career in Graphic Design after making it for them. Anna looked over at me & said, “You’re the one who made that scrapbook for us? We loved it!”
Both David & Anna signed the picture I brought for Anna to sign! I asked them really quickly if I could have a picture with them & they said ‘Of course! Of course!’ David said to me real quickly “Hold on a moment sweetheart, let me take off my glasses.” (such a sweetheart) I stood between both of them (Anna was still carrying Gracie) & my mom took a picture of the four of us together.
Anna kissed me on the cheek & I thanked her and told her best of luck on the show. David & I continued talking for awhile & he was telling me again about how often he visits the website & I told him that I was
extremely honored that he visits!
We kept talking (if I could remember most of it! I was very nervous, crying & I couldn’t believe all of this was actually happening). Since Anna was being shuffled away by the press, I decided that it was best if David followed her & I gave him another big hug & thanked him tremendously for everything. He kissed my cheek, I shook his hand, & he kissed my hand and told me ‘Bless you & thank you’. He wanted to know if my contact information was in the letter I gave him & I let him know that it was & he said he would write me a letter!
We told each other goodbye one last time and after he left I stood there frozen to the spot for quite some time. I couldn’t believe I had just met both of my idols & their beautiful daughter. They were everything I imagined them to be, very kind & wonderful! David was very sincere - what a gorgeous & wonderful man. I can’t believe both he & Anna took the time to do everything they did for me.
I was afraid to wake up the next morning, in case all of this had been a dream, but it wasn’t. It
actually happened... & I browsed through the photos my mother had taken & it started sinking in more & more. I asked David really quickly if I could post them on the site & he approved that I could share them with all of you. Gracie is in most of the photos, but I decided not to post them without David or Anna's permission.
I love you David and Anna, thank you so much. This was by far, the greatest night of my life & I will always remember it
.
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