Just so y’all know, this post is a little different than my traditional posts, and a little lengthy.  It has taken me a few days to get my words together but let me ramble for a second.  Sorry if this makes no sense, as it’s a little hard for me to write something when you I am at a loss for words….

In this journey called life, there are only a handful of people you have the pleasure of meeting on this earth. Some idols you meet come and go in your life with no trace left in your heart or them giving you a second thought. Some you straight up you regret meeting. Some you regret not meeting them sooner in your journey.

Then, there are people like Grant. People you are blessed with the opportunity of not only meeting but becoming friends with. Those idols that turn into friends. Icons that are humble and never forget their roots.

Idols that love their fans. Those people who you haven’t seen in person or talked to in 10+ years, you meet them again, and not only do they remember your name, but they remember it without prompting or having to be reminded of who you are, all they do is wrap you up in a huge bear hug and say how nice it is to see you again. They type of people who treat fans like they are people and not cash cows or numbers, but like you are a part of their family.

That type of person… that was Grant. I wasn’t just a fan. I wasn’t just a viewer. I wasn’t just a statistic or a steppingstone from his start to his rise to the top.  I was not a dollar sign. I was a friend.

I wish this world was full and spilling over the brim with Grants. This day in age people don’t realize what small little gestures mean to us not only as fans, but as human beings. There will never be another Grant on this earth, and it breaks my heart that we lost this one so soon.

Grant took every opportunity with me, as well as other fans he interacted with, to make you feel like the only person in the room.  Eye contact and everything.  Those who have been to conventions know when I say this is rare for celebrities to do while at conventions that is an understatement.  Most of the time when you “meet” these celebrities at conventions, they herd you through like cattle and don’t even look up from what they are signing.

This was quite the opposite with Grant.  He would laugh with you when you told him crazy stories.  He would simply smile and be very gracious when you told him how much you adore him, perhaps he’d even blush if you told him how adorable he was (not me, other fans I observed).  He treated you like a human being.

You weren’t just fans – you were friends.

Those who know me know I have a long history with Kari, Tory, and Grant, and know where I’m coming from with all this. For those who don’t, let’s just say I have had many once in a lifetime opportunities to talk to Grant one on one, and his humble inviting demeanor will never be matched in this world.

To say I’m heartbroken would be the understatement of the year. To say I’m in denial would be quite accurate. To say I’m gutted and beside myself would be correct.

Dear 2020, you have been a horrible year, but I’m pretty sure you can’t top yourself with this one. Please don’t try to.

Rest in Peace, my friend. This world will never be the same without its Grant.