Years and years ago, before Martha was the Martha we know today,

I WAS A FAN. I was such a fan, that the theme for my 12th birthday party was "It's a Good Thing/Martha Stewart". For my birthday that year, my aunt made me an apron that said, "All I ask is that you treat me no different than you would Martha". (That phrase still tickles me.) Even now, after Martha has revealed her foibles, spent time in federal prison and hosts a terrible show (yup, I think it's pretty hokey), I adore her... perhaps even more! She's real. She's no longer the image of perfection which makes her accessible, relatable, and personable. After I met her (one year ago on 24 February!), and was dazzled by her charm and energy in person, I was relieved that meeting my lifelong "hero" was not a let-down as I had so dreaded. She was friendly (in a very regal way), and as easy-going as I would expect. When she signed her name in her baking cookbook for me, she left cookie crumbs and greasy finger prints which I find very amusing. Her signature literally reads "Marty Stew"- probably not intentional, but very funny. And for all these silly, unexplainable reasons, I will forever adore Martha.