Meeting your favorite band or celebrity idol is something almost everybody dreams of at some point, and for a select few that dream actually does come true in their lifetime. The day before homecoming, I found out that I would become one of those lucky few, thanks to some luck I’ve still yet to figure out.

It didn’t set in that I would be meeting Ed Sheeran until I was backstage just 24 hours later with a neon green pass on my shirt while a Scottish bodyguard led me into a room. When I rounded the corner, the first thing I noticed was that you would never know he’s a Grammy winning singer just by looking at him. Ed looked like he had just woken up from a nap a few minutes prior, as his hair was a mess and his shoes were both untied.

For the next few minutes I got to talk to Ed about his music, previous concerts of his I had gone to, and the impact his music has had on me. The entire thing went by in a blur, however I feel like I left as an even bigger fan of him than I was before. He is, by far, one of the coolest guys I’ve ever met, and he showed kindness to everybody he talked to that day. Though I may be a little biased, Ed completely deserves all of the fame and attention he’s gotten simply because of his kindness.

The experience was awe-inspiring and easily became the highlight of my year so far, however the real fun began after I met Ed, as I had to run across the parking lot of the Allstate Arena and change into my homecoming dress in the back of a car while trying not to cry at the fact that I just met Ed Sheeran (being in the same room as somebody you look up to is very nerve-racking to say the least).

Although I didn’t have an actual date for homecoming… I think it’s safe to say I win for having the best date anyways.