In 2002 I was given a very special, once in a lifetime opportunity, one that would open my eyes to a world that I would step into and make my own. A world that would allow me to express myself, to tell my story and to inspire. It started with an idea, and ended up being one of the greatest experiences of my life....

I was celebrating my birthday, and my mom posed a question to me while we were sitting at dinner. "Do you have a wish?" I was slightly confused. Of course I did, I was 14, I wanted a lot of stuff. The wish my mom was referring to however, was something special. Something that I would only be able to do once. I thought about it for a while, throwing out really crazy ideas like... sitting in the dugout at a Mets game. (At the time I was a fan of the New York Mets, a period of much sports related stress in my life) Then the suggestion was thrown out to me about meeting someone famous. I don't think I hesitated for a second when I said, "I want to go see David Copperfield live, and meet him after the show." My mom smiled and then told me that one of her friends had given her some information about a foundation that grants "wishes" to kids with physical disabilities, and how we should seriously consider contacting them. The Starlight Foundation is an incredible organization that grants wishes to kids with disabilities and illnesses. In order to qualify we needed to set up an interview. We got in touch with the foundation and set up a day where they could meet with me and I could share my story. The interview was odd, and I say that only in the respect that the lady simply asked me, "What three things would you wish for if you had the chance to do so?" (They needed 3 options in case one of them wasn't able to happen.) I can't remember the other two, but my #1 choice, was to go see David Copperfield and meet him after the show. I told the representative how much I loved magic, and how I had always wanted to meet a famous magician. She smiled and told me that they had never revived this kind of request before, but she was going to do her best to make it happen. As she left, she told me that we would hear from them in a few weeks.... and so, the wait began.

A few weeks went by and then we got a call telling me that my application and "wishes" had been accepted and they were hard at work trying to get in contact with David Copperfield's 'people'. They explained that this is the part that takes the longest and to not expect a response for a month or so. I was heading off to summer camp in a week or so anyway, so I would have plenty to keep my mind occupied while we waited for the call back. I head off to SFAH for my three week "vacation" and start to tell everyone about what was in the works. When it came time for me to leave, my Mom tells me that she got a phone call. David Copperfield would be more then happy to meet me! (At this point, I am overwhelmed and break down into what can only be described as "hysterical happiness") We will be hearing from Starlight in a few weeks to work out travel plans and everything.

*Fast forward*

We were set to depart to California on November 8th. I got to take a few day off of school for this whole trip, so of course, I was excited about that as well. It was my first time being on a plane for more then two hours, and it was also my first time going across the country. Starlight had set us up with EVERYTHING. Flight, hotel, car, spending cash, we were, for lack of a better term, hooked up. After arriving in LA, all I could do was look around. I was overwhelmed with everything that was going on and didn't know where to look next. Since the David Copperfield show wasn't until Saturday, that gave us a few days to explore the area and do what we wanted. We were staying in the beautiful hotel right outside of LA, and we ventured all over the place. Drove past Beverly Hills, saw the Hollywood sign (and got lost in the Hollywood hills, but that is a whole other story), went to Wolfgang Puck's, and saw parts of the Walk-of-Fame. (We actually managed to find Copperfield's Star after only 20min) All the typical "wow Hollywood!" stuff. We went to the ocean, the boardwalk, Medieval Times (where my brother puked after eating "ye olde ribs") and even a wax museum. (Again, another story entirely) Then there was the Universal Studios day. In short, hysterically incredible. After all this was done, it was time for the big day. Saturday, November 12th, 2002. 'David Copperfield: Portal, Live at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa California.

I wake up that morning like it was Christmas. I couldn't sleep the night before, but was wide awake when I actually "woke up". Of course, my mom wanted to "take it slow because it was going to be a long day". I would have none of that. Breakfast, followed by a swim to pass the time. Then we all got dressed and me, my mom, my grandma and my brother waited for our Starlight representative to pick us up. When he got there (Rich was his name I believe) he noticed how anxious I was and said, "You must really be excited, getting to meet your idol and all." I could only muster up a very high pitched "Yea." (Which would be the only thing I would be able to say later on as well....) We drive to the theater and Rich goes to get our tickets. The kind old lady standing at the door, scans my ticket and says "Door 11." Now, having been to theaters before, I assumed that as you go up, the numbers go up. However in this particular theater, as you wen DOWN the numbers went up. So by the time we made it to door 11 we were on the floor level. Walking through the door, all I saw was a sea of people. To my right, was a sweeping balcony and to my left, was the stage. The usher pointed us towards the stage and said "Go all the way down and make a left, your seats are right there." Now at this point, Im not thinking all to clearly about what she had just said, I am far too busy looking around and listening to the music. We go "all the way down and to the left" and it was then that I realized that we were sitting in the front row. Now I start to freak out. I'm sitting front row, at a David Copperfield show. I never thought this would ever happen. (Couple that with the rest of the trip and the fact that I wouldn't be a magician if it were not for him...) Then one of Copperfield's crew members, Jen, comes over and says, "If you guys need anything please let me know. When the show is over I will come find you and then we will go meet David." While she is telling us this, an elderly couple is making there way towards us as well as another crew member. "Excuse me, but you are in their seats." he said. I was confused, we had tickets for these seats, we showed the tickets, and were still asked to move. Now, it was no big deal at all, but it seemed very odd that these two, who didn't have tickets were just sitting down. It was only after I realized that they were David Copperfield's parents. So now, I'm sitting next to his parents, bout to watch him perform live, for the first time. I am loving it. The lights go down, and the show starts. As soon as the motorcycle appeared on stage, I was in shock. For the next 90min, I sat there with the biggest smile on my face. I was living my dream. That is really the best way I can describe it.  The show was nothing short of incredible. After it was over and I was introduced to his parents, it was time to meet the man himself.

We were standing outside, in the hallway of the theater. There is a big crowd of people with us as well. The door opens and there he is. Now, I had all of these questions I wanted to ask him, and was all excited to be able to do so, but he comes up to us, says hello, signs my program, and moved on. That couldn't have been it? All the other people left, and then he came back over to us. Introduced himself to my and my family, and started talking to my mom, who was overjoyed. I couldn't speak, I was starstruck. My idol was standing right next to me. I did the only thing I could do, I shook his hand and introduced myself. My mom ended up doing all the talking for me. Telling him how I had been watching his TV specials since I was eight, how I wanted to perform magic as well, everything I wanted to say, but couldn't. We took a few pictures, he game me and my brother signed tour books, and about ten minutes after it all started, he left. I couldn't believe it. I had met my idol. It was, even though I was unable to ask him the questions I wanted, the greatest experience of my life. Getting to see him perform, and meet him after the show. I will never forget it.

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Looking back on that day I realize how special and important it was to my growth as a magician, but also as a person. It was so inspirational to see someone who I look up to, be such a genuine and caring individual. But also hold true to his own dreams. Seeing that it is possible to live your dream, inspired me to go live mine.

*This was taken from my website www.coreymmartin.tumblr.com