An in-depth, descriptive insight into one of the best mornings of my life and why it meant so much to me.
The Night Before
On January 23rd, 2015, UN Women hosted a live video feed of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland to announce the HeForShe Impact 10×10x10 initiative for gender equality. It was 8:00am in Switzerland, and 11:00pm where I was in California, when Emma Watson gave her second official speech about the HeForShe campaign. It was brilliant and moving, and I watched in awe as she spoke of a world where "women have power and equality, economically, and politically." I agreed with her speech wholeheartedly, and felt incredibly inspired.
About half an hour after her speech was finished, and the live feed ended, I received a notification on my phone that Emma was opening up her Twitter (yes, I have my phone set up to where I get a notification every time Emma tweets something) for questions about the new initiative and the campaign. So, knowing she rarely responds to fans, I took advantage of this opportunity and submitted about 15 important questions I had about this HeForShe movement and the direction it is headed. I was sure to make each tweet relevant, knowing she'd get thousands like, "EMMA YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL" and, "I love you so much, can I get a follow back? You are amazing." So, this was not a time to mess around and confess my love for her. I needed to be serious if I wanted to have a meaningful, true and real conversation with her.
After I sent them, I looked at all of the responses from her other fans. I realized the chances of me getting a response from her was pretty slim - she had over 500 questions from supporters like myself. It was getting pretty late, so I turned my phone on silent, set my alarm for class in the morning, and fell asleep.
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The Morning It Happened
I woke up about an hour before my alarm went off, and my sleepy, dazed self opened my phone to shut off my alarm. With over 120 notifications on my lock screen, I had no idea what was going on, and forgot all about asking Emma questions the night before. I have hardly any followers on Twitter, especially not enough to rack up THAT many notifications overnight, so I had a feeling that something was up.
I opened Twitter, and saw a tweet sent around 5:00am from a fellow Emma Watson fan that lives on the east coast, saying, "you are going to be flipping shit when you wake up." Once I read that, I had a feeling as to what was happening. I scrolled down a little more, and there it was. TWO of them. Emma Charlotte Duerre Watson tweeted me, TWICE, in response to the very last question I sent in.
I sat up in bed, and read the tweets again. I clicked on my username embedded in her tweet, and it took me to my page. I clicked back to her reply, then clicked on my username again. IT WAS ME. SHE TWEETED ME. I WAS IN HER TWEET AND SHE RESPONDED TO ME.
Once I was awake enough to realize that what was happening was indeed real life, I jumped out of bed and ran into my kitchen. My roommates were up quietly making breakfast, since it was around 8:15 in the morning, but I didn't care. I dropped to the floor and was laughing and breathing hysterically. The all looked at me dumbfounded, and I said, "Guys. Emma. Watson. Tweeted me. Twice." As I collapsed to the floor again, they became extremely excited and began asking how it happened. I told them, and they were extremely happy for me.
I called my mom, and she thought something bad had happened since I could hardly breathe as I was telling her the story. I called and woke both of my sisters, and they started freaking out as well. I was so happy, I could not believe it happened.
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The Rest Of The Day
After I collected myself and headed to class, I felt extremely happy and relieved. My one and only role model had a conversation with me. For a second, the incredibly successful, beautiful, and powerful Emma Watson thought about something I said to her and wrote a response back. I was one out of about 40 other supporters who received an answer from her, and the very first one that received a response. She chose my question first. I was also the only one to receive an answer in two parts, since her reply was so personal that it could not fit in Twitter's 140-character limit. I felt special, recognized, and thrilled.
I told almost everyone I saw that day. I tweeted about it, posted about it on Instagram, and shared it on Facebook. I wanted everyone in the world to know that she noticed me. I had been a huge fan of hers for so long, and those that were close to me knew how awesome it was.
There were moments during the day when I forgot it had happened, and once I remembered it again I couldn't help but smile. It really was a great day.
Why I Love Emma Watson, And Why You Should Too
Becoming world famous at the age of 9, Emma Watson has spent more than half of her life under the public eye. Most child stars go on to eventually become out of control and insane, but Emma has done just the opposite. She has managed to uphold her privacy, star in a wide range of films, receive her bachelor's in English Literature from Brown University, support free trade, model for successful fashion desingers and brands, become a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, inspire millions to stand up against gender inequality, develop her credibility outside of the Harry Potter franchise, and so much more. She is an inspiring and beautiful woman, especially considering her age. Sure, some people may not agree with her ideals or opinions, especially with recent controversy about the first HeForShe speech, but Emma should still be idolized and well-respected. She is fighting for what she believes in, working hard to become educated, and modestly keeping her life personal, not public. I hope everyone wants to be like her, because if so, our world would be full of hardworking, passionate, and successful individuals with nothing but greatness on the horizon.
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