As this Summer unfolded, I was dismayed by my lack of plans. My family and friends had busy summer schedules, and even though I worked, I still had some free weeks. I am never one to sit still, so, as always when I have no plans, I got moving.
First, I re-committed to exercising more (I know I always say that, but it’s true!). Then I looked for “crafty projects” – did you see our blog on cupcakes? When the weekends rolled around, I grabbed them with gusto! My husband and I rented (junky) boats and challenged our seamanship, went paddle boarding and hiked … anything outdoors! We made the most of those two days, so by Monday we felt we’d really had a vacation, albeit a mini vacation. And that seemed to make all the difference in the world. Each week, we came back refreshed, rested and connected … which, I have to say, after being married almost 31 years, is invaluable.
Then, after not really leaving home all summer, I have spent the last three weekends traveling. Two of those trips were spent reconnecting with viewers of Days of Our Lives, first in Nashville and then in NYC. As I have mentioned before, for me and my fellow castmates, it often feels like we work in a warehouse with just our friends, and we rarely see anyone else at the studio. Plus, we are all working our hardest to keep up with the lightening speed of the production each day that we have very little time to even socialize with each other.
So, when the opportunity comes to go out on a public appearance, most of us jump at the chance. To actually meet the people who follow you on social media or write letters to show their support is a real treat.
These most recent trips were great, with so many familiar faces, and many new ones too. As I’ve often experienced at these events, people were so open and honest … some sharing the most intimate details of their lives. A major life changing event, a death, a birth, an illness … in the short time we get with each person as they come down the line for an autography and a picture, you really can connect with and learn about people.
In New York, a man came through the line seemingly upbeat. As we talked, he shared with me how he called his wife sweetness, and then he looked down and started to cry. He then shared that he had lost her to cancer six months ago. I reached across the table and held onto him and we had a moment of solidarity as he told me how they’d watched the show together … and that Patch and Kayla were their favorites. I was so touched that he felt he “knew me” enough to share this private moment. And so proud that something Stephen and I (and everyone at Days) have worked hard to create has been such a meaningful part of people’s lives.
When I go to these sort of events, I love to hear people’s comments and thoughts about the show … and I always want to hear their story. So many people have shared how they named their daughter Kayla … or how they themselves were named Kayla after me. It really is such an honor, and I hope I make you proud!
And I love that Days of Our Lives brings so many people together. Generations of family members or friends who watch, not to mention that friendships that are made through the different fan group. Heck, even my mother and I talk about stories, though I’m careful to never give her any spoilers … I don’t want to ruin the fun of it all.
And speaking of fun – did I say how much fun I had? Because I had fun! And I noticed something too. Not that it’s a new concept to me, but it struck me again this past weekend. At the cocktail party, there were drinks and music, and few of us took every opportunity to dance. Now, I realized that everyone may not enjoy dancing as much as I do, but I really believe that you feel better when you dance. Some people seemed nervous or self conscious or maybe shy? But man, life really is so much more fun when you throw all of that out the window and just live in the moment and have fun. Or, in my case … DANCE! (who cares if you’re good or not … I promise you’ll FEEL good).
These events, and the many conversations I’ve had at them over the years, also serve as a reminder of something I know more than anything. And that’s that in end … when you peel back all the layers … we’re not all that different. In fact, I believe we are really all the same. Yes, we may live in different places and have different jobs and battle different challenges, etc.; but at the end of the day we are all just trying to make it happen in our lives, in one way or another. We all struggle at times, and we all persevere too. And I hope that the people I meet feel the same way.
I really was so moved by the people I met over the past couple of weekends … their loyalty, their support and their candor. Since I know there are many more people who are unable to travel to these events, I grabbed some video whenever I had a chance … so you can meet them too, and share in the fun we had!
Thank you to everyone for being so open with me … it means the world to me!
Until next time!
(And by next time, I mean November – Day of Days on Nov. 12 and the Performance & Fundraising Event Stephen and I are doing on Nov. 13)
PS – Thank you to Nikki, Tamra, Kim, Shannon, Stephanie, Angela, Cheryl and Cindy for sharing some of the great photos and videos they captured!
Something happend on the way to being a fan…..Friends. This amazing tribe is truly there for each other. I see it, I’ve experienced it. Yes we get excited over S&K, Days & Plank but somewhere along the way I’ve been gifted with the amazing words, laughter, dance moves, OMGs!!! Amazing insight and Love. This is truly a FANtastic ride!!!Thanks for your contagious love for living loud and proud!!!
Hi! Mary-Beth, it was an honor to meet at the NY event. I drove in from Connecticut and am 35 years old. I grew up watching Days and still can remember Patch and Kayla’s wedding. No joke. My sister is a huge P&K shipper and you graciously signed her a photo for me. She’s in ND where I am originally from and I cannot wait until she see’s her. It’s going to make her day, week, month & maybe year. Thank you so much for coming out to meet us. You, were the reason I made sure to get my Meet & Greet Ticket.
Looks like you had a great weekend. Would love to come to an event but alas I live in Australia, but I am going to a meet and greet with Freddie Smith next month. Thanks for sharing
You are a very confident dancer Mary Beth. Why am I not surprised…..A talent I just do not have. # envious
Fun, fun, fun!! Can’t wait til Nov!! 😃
Have fun, live in the moment, and DANCE!! More life lessons learned from the wise Mary Beth Evans. It really DOES make you feel better 🙂 I am grateful I had the opportunity to attend these events with some of my dearest friends, and to meet new friends – all brought together by our admiration of this special lady. I encourage (and challenge) Plank Blog readers to come see for yourself how amazing spending time with MB is … join her and Stephen for the OWSS Fundraising Gala on November 13th!!
OMG!! MB, girl, you threw it all out there! That night was a blast and I’m happy you had as much fun as we did. Glad I remember most of it🍷💃😈.
Love this blog. Heck, love all of them, but video blogs are wicked entertaining! Thanks for your devotion to fans.
This is great! It was amazing to have individual time with you…but these group events look so fun! Thanks for sharing!
What a fun blog!
As someone who named their daughter Kayla, I am so proud to have given her that name. Almost 23 years later I can’t imagine anyone I’d rather name her after! I know she would agree, she’s met you twice herself and I love that she adores you as much as I do!
Looks like there was a lot of fun. Greetings from Germany
Omgosh!!!! I can’t even! 😉😘 words can’t even begin to describe how much I love this weeks plankblog and the vblog, video that you and fans/ followers have so openly and kindly~ graciously shared. Feel like I’m right there with you sharing in all the joy and fun~ almost! ;)) living vicariously will do for now. ❤❤ Mary Beth you trully are a gem/ absolute doll, definitely my kind of girl (people) as seem the rest of MBE and SN gals, #Stayla fan club in attendance. You are so sweet and gracious to take the time out to capture some of their stories. Enjoyed hearing what they had to say~such genuine woman, quite heart-warming. Brought biggest smile to my face. 😊 And as for you and Erics dancing goes… First class! 👌👌 You both have some serious moves! Know how to work a room 😌💕💕 life of the party no doubt and again BIGGEST smiles! Honestly could never grow tired of this footage! Can I add I love to dance and really does lift your spirits~ “feel better if you dance” So true!! 💃💃 Now still pinching myself/ in disbelief bought myself ticket. 🙆🙌 May be impulsive, lil crazy, driven on emotion…Hope all works out!! ;)) ha👍Have loved/ adored you and Stephen Nichols for such a long time. 💖 PS: Steve and Kayla 4 Eva!!! Should have reunited/reconciled~ been “family unit” like yesterday!! 😍😍#patchandsweetness4eva ~ Keep up the awesomeness! xox Aussie fan here – Lorena Valenzuela 🌹