SKYE HATTEN PHOTOGRAPHY: {The day I ran into Oprah Winfrey…}

While it feels like it wasn’t so very long ago…counting the years on my fingers and toes and now apparently starting in on my knuckles, clearly, it is evident that it has indeed been quite some time that I’ve been a fan of a now retired talk show host out of Chicago, Illinois. I closely followed her throughout high school, groupie-like in college, through to her last aired show in 2011, and now on her “OWN” network. Along with, surely, a gazillion others, I have adored Oprah Winfrey. In years past, I did attempt to acquire tickets to her show, my stars just never aligning to allow this endeavor to transpire. Although my therapist has provided little sympathy, my life has managed to continue on as normal (ish).

Last fall, Oprah put together an event called SuperSoul Sessions, which was promoted as “11 life-transforming talks from spiritual thought leaders, change makers and wisdom teachers.” This event was basically a series of TED-talks by some of Oprah’s favorite and most inspiring speakers brought together under the one roof of Royce Hall nestled in the middle of the UCLA campus. Elizabeth Gilbert and Brene Brown (ummmmm, yes, those who know me know I adore Brene Brown) were among the list of influential speakers that spoke at this event. The videos of each presented talk can be found here if you’re interested in taking a listen.

Only a couple months ago, I noticed that a second series of SuperSoul Sessions were scheduled and I opted to include my name on a presale notification list. Upon receipt of an email, and only a few short minutes later, I received confirmation that I had indeed purchased two tickets to Oprah’s SuperSoul Sessions, Series 2. I continue to relay to Mr. Hatten that I’m unaware of the logistics in HOW this happened. The “Add to Cart” button actually did a little hop under my cursor arrow as opposed to the alternative. Tricky. Little. Bugger. Regardless, I had two tickets and nothing on my calendar for April 9, 2016, soooooo, you know. Why not? And for good measure, let’s go ahead and make it an abbreviated family vacation. As for my extra ticket??? Let’s make this a mother-daughter adventure. Boom. Done. Finally…Oprah Winfrey and I are one step closer to being besties. Just Oprah and Gayle and me… (sigh).

Because this was a family adventure to the Sunshine State, we opted to stay in Anaheim for obvious (i.e. mouse) reasons. At 6:30 AM on our special day, Little Miss and I took the rental car to the freeway and began our trek. While I know that she probably didn’t grasp what I can describe as the magnitude of the opportunity we were so lucky to be a part of, I do think one day she’ll look back on it fondly. She landed a cold virus only the day before and minimal rest had her weary but she played along like the most steadfast trouper. Sandwiched between Bel Air and Beverly Hills, two Montana girls landed on the stunning campus of the University of California, Los Angeles, on an overcast and rainy, yet beautiful day, to see Ms. Oprah Winfrey herself, among a few of her good friends. Upon a brief security check and receipt of our program and fancy “SoulSessions” bracelet, Little Miss and I began to make our way to our seats. A few short steps in, we realized we were being followed by two handsome men. With a hop in my step and a few words dancing in my noggin (“I. Still. Got. It.”), we paused and turned around slightly to let them pass. Only they didn’t pass…they paused when we paused, and walked when we walked, camera gear and get-up capturing our entire journey to our seats. To which we sat in, and glanced at each other with goofy, snickering grins as our little friends with the camera contraptions walked away.

My soon-to-be best friend stepped on the stage shortly after 9:00 AM in front of an audience of what I could gather 98% women and 2% men that found the courage to be the 2%. Little Miss and I sat together and listened to a golden list of authors, actors, and inspirational speakers. Among this list, Cheryl Strayed, author of the best selling book, the memoir Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail, Kris Carr, Marie Forleo, India.Arie, Kerry Washington, and of course, Oprah. Following a charming lunch under a tent in the rain, we each found in our seats a fun surprise, a TOMS backpack filled with goodies.

The day was special. And meaningful. And an event I won’t forget. Special and meaningful, why? Turns out, not because I was able to put a check-mark by a long-standing bucket list item. Not because I was able to listen to a handful of today’s most influential speakers. Nope. This day was so very memorable because I was able to have my little girl next to me sharing in a day in which provided a heap of positive messages, one CONSISTENT message of encouragement to simply “be oneself.” And if there is any message that she cannot possibly hear enough, it’s that one. Of course in my eyes, she is perfect just as she is…but my hope for her is that she can embrace all that she is and know that she is enough. Enough in every way. She will have ups and she will have downs but my wish is that her spirit will always soar, the light within her not be dimmed, and that she will not reserve an ounce of the gifts she has to offer during any almighty battle against fear that she may face. Fear of failure. Fear of judgment. And yes, sometimes even fear of success.

To her, I would say…

Shine.
Be you.
Always, simply…
…be you.

And of course, as Cinderella said it best…

Have courage and be kind.

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My lively passenger on the way…