The Minnesota Grand Prix is a great meet-lots of Olympic and National Team athletes gearing up for the 2012 Olympic Trials. I put it on the “Events” list, hoping to entice Seals to see the best in the world compete. It worked. Gracie Abdallah made a wish at 11:11 AM on 11/11/11. Her wish-to go to Minneapolis to watch the “really good swimmers”. Her mom, Patti, emailed me and Friday at practice I said I would go if they decided to go and see if we could get some autographs for Gracie.

With Seals shirt and sharpies in tow, we left at 6:00 AM and made it for part of prelims and all of finals. Of course, Gracie wanted Michael Phelps autograph…I know several top athletes, but I also know that Michael Phelps is a hot ticket and it is a little harder to get his autograph. In the meantime, we found Ryan Lochte who gave her his autograph and his wonderful smile! We continued with Dara Torres, Rebecca Soni, Peter Vanderkaay, Dagny Knutson, Coner Dwyer, Ed Moses, Kara Lynn Joyce, Ricky Beherns, Elizbeth Pelton, but the wait was for Phelps.

Gracie parked by the railing of the diving well, where she could see Michael sitting between events. She had met Michael’s mother, Debbie, as we walked in the door, and Debbie said he usually waited until the end of the meet to sign autographs. So that is just what Gracie did-she waited…and waited…and waved at Michael…

Michael swam his signature event, the 200 butterfly, as well as the 100 backstroke. Gracie watched him as he warmed-down, as they took blood from his ear for lactate testing, as he checked his messages on his iphone. As he sat. And she waved some more. After he received his gold medal from the 100 backstroke, he walked straight over to the railing, reached up to Gracie and handed her something…HIS GOLD MEDAL! Then he got in the diving well to cool down.

Gracie ran over and showed me the medal and my jaw dropped!!!! I was hoping he would sign her shirt! Wow! She said, “He said he would sign my shirt too.” So back she went-to the railing and waited. Finally, as the session came to an end and Michael had finished with race analysis (yes, ask me what that is…) he came right to the railing, which by that time was full of fans, reached up and took the medal and autographed it, as well as the shirt! What a wish come true!!!

But Gracie wasn’t done yet. Debbie had just left! We ran to the door and caught her just before she left the building. Gracie showed her the medal and the shirt! Debbie took the time to listen to Gracie, asked her a few questions about her and then posed for pictures. She then took a picture of Gracie and Patti and TWEETED it! Wow!!

Gracie had the time of her life! She is SUPER excited to show everyone her medal and tell them about her amazing wish come true at the Minnesota Grand Prix! PS: Guess where Gracie is wishing to go in June…? Omaha??? You guessed it!

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