mi corazon...

One week ago today the world lost a remarkable person.  Erica Andrews was the symbol of elegance and had been my idol since I first saw her photos on the internet in 2001.  I remember being at my friend Pattra's home just off of Oakley Road in Wilmington, North Carolina when Patt pulled up photos of this gorgeous creature.  I was enamored with her beauty and followed her every move from 1000+ miles away thereafter.  In 2008, my fiance' at the time, Joshua, surprised me for my birthday with autographed 8x10 head shots of Erica of which he had framed.  She wrote "Alena, all my love always.  Erica Andrews xoxo."  (Alena was my drag name). They hung in my office until the day I decided to embark on a self-discovery journey across America.  In a twist of fate I ended up in Dallas Texas in 2010 only months before Erica Andrews decided to move to Dallas also.  I not only met my idol but began seeing her on a regular basis.  I smile thru a steady flow of tears today knowing she knew my name.  She called me "friend."  I wish I had taken more time to be around her.  I wish I had told her how much of an impression she had made on my life.  I never actually told her I was the same boy that she had mailed the autographed head shots to.  I never told her I had been her fan for twelve years.  Erica was loved by thousands, well probably millions, of people globally but she was never too big of a star to ask how I was doing or make a kind remark.  I will always cherish the simple memories of talking with her poolside, watching her grocery shop at Kroger in a sun dress with no makeup, or bar-hopping on her night's off.  She was so humble yet so breath-taking with every step she took.  I can't remember feeling this confused over losing someone since my grandfather passed when I was ten years old.  If there is a such thing as heaven and angels, those are some lucky angels that get to stand by Erica's side today.  I hope more than anything that I will get to hug her again someday.  Simpre en mi corazon, Erica! xoxoxo