Every time I think of you, I always catch my breath.

Welcome back, my faithful readers and friends.  

Let’s continue on in my series all about my most memorable celebrity encounters – sound good?

My favorite show of all time is One Tree Hill. It’s a masterpiece, I tell you. A masterpiece. 

It found me during a really dark period of time in high school and made me feel both highly entertained and also less alone. It’s the juiciest most delicious teen drama meets artistic wonderland (with a soundtrack that is straight fire)... and it has Chad Michael Murray. Can it get any better?! I think not. 

Fun fact: my two favorite shows (OTH and Gilmore Girls) and my favorite movie (A Cinderella Story) all have Chad Michael Murray. I am truly the epitome of a ‘00s kid. 

I was hooked on OTH from the moment I first heard CMM’s basketball hit the concrete in the pilot episode. And before long, I got my sister hooked as well. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve watched all nine seasons through but if I were to take a gander, I’d say at least seven or eight.

I highly recommend it. 

There is a delightful character on the show named Chris Keller. He’s a lovable (well, mostly) jerk with the best one-liners of all. He’s also an incredibly talented musician. In real life, the fictional jerk is eclipsed by the kind, equally hilarious musical artist (& actor... obvi) named Tyler Hilton. 

I have had the immense pleasure of meeting him twice. 

The first time was magical. My sister and I went to a small late-night café show in 2014 or 2015... something like that. I tried to be as present as possible in that moment. It was so intimate and special. His gravelly voice overwhelmed the space reaching every corner of the room, humbling the jittery, innocent excitement of all those present. Delanie and I were so close to the stage that we could reach out and touch him if we wanted to (but we didn’t because, well, personal boundaries). 

I remember being firmly planted in that room hanging onto his every word, quietly (and sometimes not so quietly) elated by every song he sang that carried with it a memory. It was an evening of nostalgia, certainly. Every now and again you’d spot someone in OTH garb swooning as Tyler sang a classic tune from the show. But it was also a moment of community – the community that can only come from a crowded room full of people all connecting with each other and with music in the same moment. 

There’s that moment at the end of a concert or performance where the band stops playing and it’s just silence. It’s my favorite part. You’re left alone with your feels as the rhythm of the music sways on in your bones. That moment for me is almost indescribable. It represents the feeling of pure grounded-ness and satisfaction and peace and unadulterated joy. I like that silence to last as long as possible, knowing that whatever comes next couldn’t possibly live up to the experience I just had. 

However, it helps when what comes next is meeting the person that made the experience happen.

Tyler hung around after the show to sign CDs and take pictures. So, naturally, Delanie and I stayed so that we could say hello and thank him for the impact he had had on our lives through his music and through the show. He was so personable and sincerely interested in speaking with us that it honestly felt like we were chatting with a friend. We had a brief conversation, snapped a picture, said goodnight and then went on our merry way. 

On the way home, I felt glittery and content. That’s really the only way I can describe it. I did not expect that just a few years later, I’d be sitting across the table grabbing coffee with the man. 

Remember 2019? The year where masks held no meaning for the general public and we were still filled with the hopeful anticipation of a new decade? Aaah... to be young again. 

2019 was also the year that I was reunited with my main squeeze Tyler. I had heard through my sources that he was performing in Portland again and had decided that without question I would be attending. However, I also discovered that he was offering coffee dates for a select few fans. Some people experience blind rage. I experience blind commitment. Before I knew it, I had signed me and my sister up and purchased our tickets to the show. 

I couldn’t wait. This would finally be my opportunity to become real-life BFFs with one of my favorite Tree Hillers. 

The day before all my dreams came true, I received a text from an unknown number. I opened the text only to discover it was TYLER HILTON’S FREAKING MANAGER. He was texting to share details of the coffee hangout and give us estimates on when he and Tyler would be arriving. He and I texted back and forth a bit (I’d safely call it banter) to confirm the plan for the next day. 

If you’d have told me that I would be texting the manager of one of my all-time favorite public-facing humans when I first started watching OTH, I would have told you I believed it. But, I also would have told you this while screaming and jumping up and down in glee. 

[Spoiler alert: We texted a few more times in subsequent days and have even had conversations about The Bachelor in the ol’ dms. Basically, we’re the best friends anyone could have.]

On the day of, Lanie and I arrived at Heart Coffee in Portland to come face-to-face once again with our true OTH love. We also met the other fan who would be joining us for this coffee date. She was equally as obsessed with the show as I was. Because of this, she gained my instant respect. 

I’m convinced that I heard angels singing when Tyler and his manager Corey walked through the doors of the coffee shop. It was as if sparkles were shooting out of Tyler’s eyes and into my heart. Once again, I felt glittery. Tyler bought the three of us a cup of coffee/tea and we spent the next 45 minutes or so chatting away. We talked about our lives, families, interests, music, OTH, Malia Obama’s Instagram... you know, the usual.

It was the best. 

Once we were done sipping, we all headed over to the venue for a private show with a small group of T Hilt lovers before the main event. The rest of the night transpired much like the previous one in the sense that it was deeply special. Lanie and I swayed in the front row as Tyler crooned, strummed, and told stories. I was grateful then. I am grateful now. 

As the night wrapped up and the sound of “Missing You” hung low in the air, we hugged Corey goodbye at the stage door (that actually happened – he’s the sweetest of all) and headed out into the cold and starry night.

And I got my wish – Tyler and I are basically like family now, right? I think that’s how it works, anyway. 

Tyler if you’re reading this (which of course you are since we’re so close), how ‘bout we plan for a round three soon? Also, Corey – hit me up sometime, eh? ;)

Titular Song: Missing You (Cover) by Tyler Hilton