First off, my name is Julie Melillo, (but don't think the two l's in Melillo make a y sound and I'm Spanish...Actually I'm 75% Italian and 25% Hawaiian..Or American... moving on...)
I visit my cousin Jenny in New York every winter, but this time she introduced me to Rob, her friend who works on the set of SNL. When I met him he was talking for a while about upcoming guests on the show and mentioned something aobut that one hobbit guy... The world stopped... I took a breath... My heart raced, as I managed to sputter, "You mean Elijah Wood?!?!?"
Rob looked at me like I was insane. "Ya, he's our next guest. What I'm excited about is meeting Jet, they're playing on the 13th." It just so happens I was staying there December 10-17, so I was going to be in town the same day Elijah was guest starring on Saturday Night Live! I begged Rob over and over to TRY to find Jenny and I some tickets... After showing him my scrap book full of pictures, my web site, AND my fake Henna tatoo of the elvish 9 on my hip, he finally said he'd do his best to get Jenny and I in... Even though it was against policies.
On the 11th Rob called saying the show was sold out, but we could still hang out back stage and hopefully meet Elijah on the run. At first I didn't know what to think. I mean, this was even better! I was going to meet Elijah Wood!
The day finally came... Decmeber 13th. I woke Jenny up early to meet Rob at this really cool restaurant, Tucks Treasure. Then we headed to Banana Republic, (Elijahs favorite store,) to pick out some new clothes for me to wear. Afterwards we headed to the SNL live building and waited for the show to begin. (We stayed back stage and waited in anticipation for Elijah to walk past us on his way to the dressing room after the show.)
An hour passed... Then finally, the God of my dreams walked RIGHT BY US on his way to the dressing room. We knew he wasn't rushed, because the show was over, but I still felt really nervous and awkward asking him for his autograph.
As he passed us, looking stunning, he saw us and smiled. Just to know one of the thousands of times he has smiled in life was directed at me melted my heart.
As he opened the door Jenny nudged me and I called, "Elijah?"
Their was a pause... I waited, holding my breath... He stopped, turned around, and smiled again. I got up from the bench we'd been waiting on.
"You called?" he said sarcastically. I giggled.
"I'm Julie, Julie Melillo. I was wondering if you could sign this for me?"
"No." He starred at me. I think I looked really dumb because I was in shock, but hey, at least we starred into each others eyes for about 2 seonds. Then he laughed the cutest laugh ever!!! It was amazing how long we'd been talking! What, a minute now?
"I'm just kidding. Of course, do you have a pen with you?"
"Ya, here ya go."
Then he signed my picture... Mmmm... Very sexy signature.
"Well it was nice meeting you, but I better run. Bye guys!"
"Thanks, see ya."
And then he disappeared behind those doors forever...Well, maybe not forever. I was stunned. I walked around Rockefeller Center for hours just replaying our conversation in my head, and staring at the autograph in my hand.