As I got ready to head down to Florida for my much needed vacation, I told the members of the South Park Booster Club that I was heading South, and if anyone who lives in the path of my path would like to meet me, that I would try my best to stop and see them on the way down. I figured that since I was driving cross country, that it would be a great opportunity to meet some of the people I correspond with on a daily basis. I did get a dozen or so invitations to meet some of the Booster Club members, but only got the opportunity to meet one – and it was a meeting I will never forget.

Her name is Donna and she lives in Pompano Beach, Florida, just fifteen minutes from where I was staying. Upon hearing where I was headed, she invited me to come to her house and watch some South Park tapes with her and left me her number if I was interested. I obviously was, so I called her and we met Thursday night.

Despite the fact that we never met before, both Donna and her sister-in-law Sheri welcomed me with open arms and treated me like they knew me for years from the moment they pulled up in the car. And when we got back to their house, Donna’s husband Jon was equally as hospitable.

The ironic part is that they were very excited to have me as a guest in their home. I say ironic because if anyone was excited it was me. Here are three people that I never would have had the pleasure of meeting if not for the South Park Booster Club – and just because Donna gets the Digest – she opened up her home to me and treated me like a celebrity.

During the time I was there, I got to know Donna, John and Sheri. They are real, down-to-Earth, friendly people. Having relocated to Florida from different parts of the country, they have come together to share a friendship and a family bond – since Donna married Sheri’s brother Jon. Now the parents of two beautiful daughters, Donna and Jon went from strangers living in different parts of the country to partners for life in the same happy home.

We did a lot in the time I was there. From getting to know each other, to watching some classic South Park, to learning how we all came to love our favorite show to “hanging out with Cartman” – we took a common thread like South Park and created a friendship that seemed years old after only a few short hours.

I don’t know when I will see them again, but I want to thank Donna, Sheri and Jon for their hospitality, their friendship – and most importantly – their interest in meeting me. Wanting to read what I write is one thing – but wanting to meet me because you enjoy what I write is another. And for that – I will always be grateful.

Vive La Donna!