When I was in fourth grade I was a huge hockey fan. I still am, but back then it was more of an obsession. My favorite team was the New Jersey Devils and my favorite player was hall of famer Martin Brodeur. I had his pictures hung on all four walls of my room and I would always rock my number 30 jersey when I went to Devils game.
One Friday night, my mom and I went to a local restaurant, Sammy's, right around the corner from my house. I was never fond of the restaurant but it was close and convenient for a quick dinner. After being there time and time again, we had gotten close with some of the servers and hostesses. It was one of those restaurants where everyone knew each other. Fun, but not when your all sweaty from dance. To say the least, I was never thrilled to be going to Sammy's. I would have much rather the drive-thru window at McDonalds.
So my mom and I walked in and were greeted by our favorite hostess Marsha, and Tony, a server from the Bronx with an accent stronger than a foreigner's. I had just gotten out of dance practice so I was dressed in tights, a leotard, shorts, and a Devils hoodie to keep me warm.
"I didn't know you were a Devils fan. Can I let you in on a little secret?" Said Marsha.
"What is it?" I said, grinning so big with not a clue of what she was going to say.
"Do you know the goalie? Martin Brodeur?"
"He's my favorite player!" I told her. I turned around, showing her his name on the back of my hoodie.
"Well this is his favorite New Jersey restaurant! He comes in all the time. If I remember correctly he has a reservation this Saturday night."
I was freaking out! I begged and cried to my mom to take me back on Saturday night, but she had already committed to her friends going away party. She knew she was in trouble because this way my dream. I immediately called my dad who was working for the week in Philadelphia.
"Dad! Martin Brodeur is going to be at Sammy's tomorrow night. Is there any way you could get home to take me to meet him?!" I knew the chances of him getting home in 12 hours were low considering he still had to work that Saturday, but I really underestimated him.
My dad had always been right by my side cheering the Devils on, so he felt obligated to do the drive. He drove home that Friday night just to take me to a sub-par restaurant to meet my absolute favorite hockey player.
I couldn't wait for 7 p.m. to roll around. The only time I had met a famous person was when I was 1 year old at the pool of a resort in Turks and Caicos and my dad shoved me, a sopping wet baby, into Tori Spelling's arms. This time was going to be way different. I dressed in normal dinner clothes and hopped in the car smiling ear to ear.
When my dad and I arrived at the restaurant we headed downstairs to the bar/game room… which was also where you waiting for your table to be ready. You would not believe what we saw.
Zack Parise, Andy Green, Cam Jansen, and the one the only, Martin Brodeur. I was in heaven and also the only girl at Martin Brodeurs bachelor party!
