First off, this was completely unexpected, I did know he was driving across the country this summer, and had actually told him I'd show him around if he came the "southern route" but didn't think he was going to actually come this way since his answer was ":0)" So even though we had been discussing it on the twitter thread and he had said he was going "south" I hadn't talked to him much since May so didn't really think he'd be coming this way. I didn't ever say he never would, just to set the record straight. HAHA
So TJ texted me around 2:00 pm though I didn't notice it until around 2:10 since I'm not one of those people that is attached to their phone. In fact, I'm lucky that I just happened to pick it up then, because I go HOURS and sometimes a day or more without looking at it.
Anyway, he asked if I were in El Paso, and if my mom lived here, I said yes, and asked why. And he told me he was in New Mexico and he is on his way to San Antonio and had to be there tonight, but he thought he'd "do a drive by hug real quick" but didn't know what time if I lived near 10 E (he means interstate 10 which actually goes right through El Paso). I don't actually leave NEAR it but it isn't a huge problem to get to I-10 from anywhere in El Paso really, so I offered to meet him somewhere near there so he wouldn't have to go out of his way. So as he got closer to Texas, we arranged to meet at Krispy Kreme, chosen by me because it is very close to I-10 and very easy to find. He said that was okay, and gave me updates as he got closer and closer. He was outside of Las Cruces, then in Las Cruces, then at the state line. We had gone over there early and were hanging out in the Hobby Lobby because it was hot today, and it was cool in there. When he said he was at the state line, we headed over to the doughnut place and were there only two minutes when he pulled up.
So I got one of his awesome hugs. Introduced him to my mother (who also got an awesome hug) and he introduced us to his girlfriend. Who is very sweet and lovely, just like him. Perfect couple. Okay this story is longer than I intended. HAHA I think I caught some sort of virus from Sherry. So we went into Krispy Kreme, he bought us all something to drink and we sat and chatted for a while. He asked some things about me, my mother, my family, living in El Paso. Told me he'd been here before for speech contests when he was in high school (I probably wasn't here then, as I left EL Paso around the time he would have been in high school I think HAHA).
Then he talked a little about the people here on the site. And that was really what I wanted to tell about here. He first said the site probably would be gone if Steph and I hadn't helped him out, because he really had no time and no one to help. Then he said the people here are all so nice, and he thinks that is amazing. And while he said it was because of me, I told him it is because of HIM that he does attract the best sort of people. And it is true. I told him I love you all! He asked me who I'd met and he was surprised that I hadn't met anyone from here. He then mentioned that some of you had met, and I told him yes, Steph, Hanne, Jude and Simone have. And then he said how great it would be if we could all get together some day, and talked about how he really needs to get Steph over here. To which I agreed, because I really wish that could happen more than anything. We laughed a bit about something to do with fan mail that occurred last week that really amused him (I can't say on here what it was sorry), and he kept promising to get to them, he is so behind. And I admitted I'm quite a ways behind in answering the mail as well.
Then he told my mother he wanted a photo with her, then said "and one with you" to me. HAHAHA But we never did just get the one with just me and him but that is okay. When we were going to take the photos that is when the guy said to him, "you look like that guy on that TV show" and we said yes he does. And he said I love that show, and so TJ went to him, asked the guy his name, introduced himself, and then introduced all of us to this random guy. LOL TJ really is amazing, and this guy was just so impressed. The guy then said to him, you are always playing with the bugs and are so into it, and TJ said "Well the character is" with a really cute look on his face. HAHA Then he walked my mother (telling her to hold his arm the whole way) back to the car, we talked a bit and more hugs and then they left, on their way to San Antonio. Which is a LOOONG drive from here and he probably isn't there yet (it is now 11:19 pm). So anyway, I wanted you all to know how much he thinks of all of you, and how he really would like to meet each of you someday. I want you to know, those of you who come here and take the time to participate, he KNOWS your names and remembers you if you've been in a chat. And how much he appreciates how you all respect him when we chat, as well as how you all respect each other on here and how it is a "fabulous online community".
And I love every one of you too, you each bring something unique to this community which is why I nag sometimes about posting, because what every one of you has to say is important. TJ knows it. 
