I have enjoyed much of his work ever since I was a child and he was playing Jason Seaver on Growing Pains. Among other things, I used to watch Thicke of the Night and enjoyed 1987's TV move Not Quite Human where he played a scientist dad who created a human-like android that he tries to pass off as his son.
The actor and I have had exchanges on social media in the recent past-after he posted a photo of his knee surgery and I tweeted him a "Get Well Soon" message he replied with a comment about cupcakes I had made (I had Tweeted a photo of cupcakes I had made for co-workers).
Long story short, I recently Tweeted at him about wanting to meet him once I found out he was going to be in Jacksonville as host of the touring Dancing Pros Live show. He at some point Tweeted to me "Show me that smile again," a reference to the opening line of the "Growing Pains" theme song.
Some time on Sunday I get a DM from his Twitter account asking me if I need media passes to the Jacksonville performance. I am out of town and unable to attend (and unable to DM back) so I Tweet @ him my reply, including my email address for future contact. Later, I get an email with a name and number of someone I can text for tickets.
By the time I got home from our out of town trip, the show was over. I assumed I had missed my chance to meet him but was too exhausted from the day to care much. I sent a polite thank you email and my apologize that I could not attend and really wish that I could have met him.
Just before 9:30 on Monday morning, I get an email, again from the Alan Thicke account: "departs Omni lobby at 10;30. can get photo then" What? I can't believe what I am reading? Is this even legit? Everything else seemed legit. Then the panic sets in. I have about an hour to shower, get dressed and ready and drive downtown from my home one county down and about 20-30 minutes away.
I kept thinking I would lever make it but I pulled into the parking lot next to the Omni Jax downtown with time to spare. I walked inside and used the bathroom and checked myself in the mirror. Then I waited in the lobby, and waited. Kept thinking I heard his voice coming. 10;30 came and went and no sign of him.
I expected him to be escorted by an entourage of people or the other show performers or a hotel security guard at the very least. But when I saw him about 10 minutes later. It was just him strolling into the lobby with his wheeled luggage.
As I started to approach him, he said "is that Lisa?" (There was no one else in the lobby but us, a concierge and the two clerks behind the counter.)
I said "yes, hi! It's nice to finally meet you."
"I'm sorry I'm late he said."
"Oh that's OK, I know you are busy getting ready," Or I said something along those lines.
And I gave him a hug (probably not what he was expecting but oh well. When would I ever see him again?)
I handed him my business card so he would know I was who I said I was and he said "oh assignment editor, you're an important person."
"Well... at least I like to think so," I joked.
"Maybe this guy can take our photo," Thicke said, motioning in the direction of a concierge standing there who had NO idea how to work my cell phone camera.
"I'm sorry you had to miss the show," he said to me.
"So am I," I said. How was it?" I don't remember his response. I also asked him where his family was but I don't remember his response to that either. In my rush to get the cameras ready and take up as little of his time as possible I forgot a few things.
I took one of Alan alone and handed it to the man, but it didn't take. So I took a few selfies but the quality was poor. The man finally took one and we checked to make sure it was there.
I asked him to sign my Growing Pains DVD and as I got the Sharpie ready he said 'here, I have these for you," and handed me a bag of Famous Amos chocolate chip cookies that I am assuming are a free gift in every hotel room at the Omni.
He signed the DVD and said a good bye and started out the doors, stopping for a newspaper on a table on the way out. When we were outside I asked to take one photo of him with my "good" camera and he obliged. Then he got in to a small chauffered car on his way to the airport for his next stop: New York.
And I got into my car, paid the $3 parking fee and went home. It was a great day for someone like me who is a huge celeb hound and who didn't think this meet-and-greet was going to happen.
