On June 9th, part of the Ford’s Theatre Gala, I was a guest at the White House for a cocktail reception in the State Dining Room. I got to shake hands with Madam Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband. Walk through the Red Room, Blue Room and Green Rooms and hear the beautiful music played the United States Marine Band.

That was followed by a performance at the Ford’s Theatre hosted by Brian Stokes-Mitchell. John Meacham spoke, and Bernadette Peters, Josh Groban, Susan Egan, Michael Urie and Emmy Russell performed. Nancy Pelosi and Stephen A. Schwarzman both received the Lincoln Medal.

That was followed by a sit down dinner in the National Portrait Gallery.

It was one of the best days of my life.

All those people were there to support the Ford’s Theatre, an artistic institution entrenched in our country’s history. It was so beautiful to bear witness to it all and be a part of it all.

A once in a lifetime experience that I’m utterly grateful for.

A deep thank you to my friend, Mike Hemmerich, for asking me to be his guest. I’m still reeling….