 | A first-hand account of an epic trip to support the POstables on Home & Family. |
It's rare that our POstables make the circuit to promote Signed, Sealed, Delivered. Besides the occasional interview printed to the internet, it's rare to see them make TV appearances. So when Kristin Booth announced her intent to appear on Hallmark Channel's Home & Family, it's no surprise that some POstables made the trip to see her. And, of course, I recruited one of them to detail their adventure. You can read Joy's story below:
There are many things that the #POstables have learned thanks to Signed, Sealed, Delivered... but one of the lessons we put into practice this week was to #ThinkBig and #BeBold. When Kristin Booth posted on her social media accounts that she would be appearing on Home & Family, I didn't hesitate to ask some #POstables if they wanted to go see the filming. Part of me asked in jest (seriously? It was happening the following week!), but there was another part of me that wondered if we really could make it happen. I'm not sure what it is about this #POstables Family that makes me so spontaneous when it comes to traveling because I am a planner to my very core and this trip would be happening in just a few short days, but that didn't stop me from sending an email off to Home & Family to find out if we could get tickets.
Getting tickets to the show wasn't entirely about the opportunity to meet Kristin though. I wanted Hallmark to see that there is a strong fan base who were willing to fly from around the US to not only support Kristin, but to support Signed, Sealed, Delivered as well. And we did...we had #POstables from Georgia, Florida, Massachusetts, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania (as well as some local to California). I wanted Hallmark to see that this show is impacting the lives of viewers and we are dedicated to making sure it continues. I think we may have even surprised Home & Family with our eagerness to be there.
Getting tickets to the show wasn't entirely about the opportunity to meet Kristin though. I wanted Hallmark to see that there is a strong fan base who were willing to fly from around the US to not only support Kristin, but to support Signed, Sealed, Delivered as well. And we did...we had #POstables from Georgia, Florida, Massachusetts, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania (as well as some local to California). I wanted Hallmark to see that this show is impacting the lives of viewers and we are dedicated to making sure it continues. I think we may have even surprised Home & Family with our eagerness to be there.
 | Getting to meet Kristin wasn't about getting to meet "Shane" either. Don't get me wrong, I love Shane as much as the rest of the #POstables, but in going to meet her, it was entirely about getting to meet her as herself. It was about getting to meet someone who inspires me, most certainly, through her work as well as through everyday things like exercise and family. And her laugh is infectious! She is just as delightful in person as she is on social media and I think I can speak for everyone when I say that she made us feel welcomed and loved. I hope she felt the same in return. She seemed genuinely excited to have us there. And we were definitely thrilled to be there. |
The day of filming got off to an early start for most of us (thanks East Coast body clocks!) but Home & Family told us we could not arrive prior to 11:45 AM which is probably the only reason we weren’t there waiting for the shuttle by 8 AM. While we were waiting for the shuttle (which happens to be next to the façade set for the show Superstore), we were able to chat with some people we hadn’t yet met. We were delighted to meet Maggie who told us she reads all of our tweets right here on #ADblog! She was such a sweetheart! And Judy continued her #POstalEvangelism right there in the parking lot convincing the security guard to check out SSD during the marathon on Sunday (At last count, Judy had reached 8 new converts on this trip, including a gentleman at In-N-Out who asked about our Mailbox Grille shirts). Marybeth had organized a group who made up our signs, which were a big hit! And Amy was in charge of making sure we didn’t fangirl off the charts, a task that probably wasn’t always easy.
Justine (Audience Coordinator for Home & Family) was most helpful through the entire process. She explained everything as we went along. She was actually in the midst of telling us how to be great audience members when Kristin popped out to say a quick hi to all of us before filming started! They normally seat audience members based on things such as height and the colors they’re wearing but because many of us had worn our Mailbox Grille shirts, she wanted us right in the front row. Of course, none of us were opposed to that! She also pointed out that no matter what, we should NOT look directly at the camera because it freaks out the people watching from home.
Justine (Audience Coordinator for Home & Family) was most helpful through the entire process. She explained everything as we went along. She was actually in the midst of telling us how to be great audience members when Kristin popped out to say a quick hi to all of us before filming started! They normally seat audience members based on things such as height and the colors they’re wearing but because many of us had worn our Mailbox Grille shirts, she wanted us right in the front row. Of course, none of us were opposed to that! She also pointed out that no matter what, we should NOT look directly at the camera because it freaks out the people watching from home.
 | We were asked ahead of time by the segment producer for Kristin for questions and then they selected 3 of those questions that would be asked during the show. Mine happened to be one of the ones chosen but I made Amy mic up to ask it for me as I didn’t think I could do it myself (mic me up to speak in front of a full amphitheater for work presentations and no problem… put me in front of a mic for a radio show and I suddenly can’t speak English clearly -just ask #RudyOnTheRadio- so I wasn’t taking any chances on TV, after all, my mom was watching!). Unfortunately, we ran out of time on air to ask the question, but we did get to ask it in between filming. The question was who Kristin would like to see play her mom on the show. While she is holding out for Meryl Streep, she thought that Jean Smart (of Designing Women fame) would be great at it! I have to say, I can see Jean Smart in that part and think it would be fantastic! |
Having other #POstables there only enhanced the experience. There were only a few I hadn't met before but as is the case when meeting the #POstables who are active on Twitter, it's akin to reuniting with family you haven't seen in a while. And who doesn't love having someone along to laugh with and take goofy selfies? Of course, finding out that someone’s twitter handle is not in fact their real name only makes us laugh that much harder and new nicknames are born as a result! (*cough* #SusanNotSusan *cough*)
I heard a few #POstables say that this was a once in a lifetime trip and I certainly hope that’s not the case. I hope that Home & Family continues to have the cast of Signed, Sealed, Delivered on the show and I can guarantee that if they do, the #POstables will be there to support the actors and the show, myself included. Until then, I am just so grateful to Hallmark for the opportunity to be in the audience while Kristin was on the show because it truly is something that I will look back on as a trip filled with fun and family. I send a heartfelt Thank You for thinking of the #POstables and helping to promote this soul inspiring show.
I heard a few #POstables say that this was a once in a lifetime trip and I certainly hope that’s not the case. I hope that Home & Family continues to have the cast of Signed, Sealed, Delivered on the show and I can guarantee that if they do, the #POstables will be there to support the actors and the show, myself included. Until then, I am just so grateful to Hallmark for the opportunity to be in the audience while Kristin was on the show because it truly is something that I will look back on as a trip filled with fun and family. I send a heartfelt Thank You for thinking of the #POstables and helping to promote this soul inspiring show.
Thanks to Joy, and all the POstables who made the trip to Home & Family, for representing POstables everywhere with such coordination and enthusiasm!
Missed Kristin's appearance on the show? Just can't get enough of her trip to Home & Family? Come back tomorrow for a super-cut of her segments, once again thanks to Joy!
Hoping For Future Invites,
~C
Missed Kristin's appearance on the show? Just can't get enough of her trip to Home & Family? Come back tomorrow for a super-cut of her segments, once again thanks to Joy!
Hoping For Future Invites,
~C
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