Taylor Swift Shares the Pleasures of Lucky 13

(contributed by Jodee Hammond)

The Bridgestone Arena turned into a castle Sunday, June 13, for “swiftesses” who attended the CMA Music Festival. It sure felt like a place where dreams came true, thanks to Taylor Swift’s willingness to spend 13 hours with her fans at her “13-Hour Meet and Greet.”

That number was no accident, for 13 is Swift’s lucky number. Many of her fans lucked out as well.

Nine-year-old Madie Michel from New Orleans, La., was so star-struck after meeting Swift, she was practically speechless. But Stacey Sapp, 20, from Kernersville, N.C., had plenty to say: “She was unbelievably genuine. She looked me in the eyes and hugged me.” 

Swift’s fans seemed to look forward to that particular possibility. “She gives the greatest hugs,” said 10-year-old Caitlin Kealey, whose equally excited mom drove her and her sisters in from Raleigh, N.C. They stood next to their homemade sign that proclaimed to meet Swift would be “priceless,” despite the $200 speeding ticket Kealey’s mom received on the drive into town.

The uniqueness about Swift fans is that they are not limited to a single demographic group. Grown men and women, teenage boys and little girls all waited anxiously to receive the text granting them permission to meet Swift.

Ellen Snow, 16, also from Kernersville, not only received the opportunity to meet Swift but also got one of her celebrated embraces. “She smells good,” Snow laughed. “But more seriously, she complimented my dress, and that’s huge for me. It means a lot that she’s so down to earth.”

Many Swift admirers imitated her style in a dress paired with cowboy boots. Others made jerseys  from T-shirts with the number “13” and “swiftess” for their name. It was a rare sight to see someone who wasn’t decked out in Swift memorabilia.

It was also rare to see someone who wasn’t beaming in happiness. Even fans wearing casual clothes participated in the cheer “scream if you love Taylor Swift.” Others carried signs to personally profess their love for her. Ten-year-old Brendan Patman from Valeene, Ind., carried his creative sign with a heart-shaped light attached to it. “I just want her to know I’m a big fan,”  Patman said. 

The mere possibility of meeting Swift generated visions of a fairytale land. “I just can’t believe this happened to me,” Sapp said.