Early mornings, though my eyes are barely open, I venture out on the road with other Troup Countians who go to work or school at a crazy hour.

To keep myself awake, I am a regular listener to a Christian pop/rock radio station in Atlanta.

One day, it was announced that the station was sponsoring a contest for listeners to receive a chance to meet Amy Grant and hear her sing at the Southwest Christian Care Auction and Gala this week at the Georgia International Convention Center.

Amy Grant’s debut album hit the charts 30 years ago, and through the years, she has grown into a music legend with six Grammy Awards, 26 Dove Awards and six pop chart-topping hits. She was inducted into the Gospel Musician Association Hall of Fame and got her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

As a child and young teen, I grew up listening to Grant, singing her songs (OK, yelping her songs) and just thinking that she was an all-around cool woman.

Then she married country music hunk Vince Gill, and Amy Grant’s coolness factor went through the roof.

Granted, George Clooney, the actor, producer, director, has my heart and is going to be my husband one day – he just doesn’t know it yet – but Vince Gill is my secret crush. Ever since he released “Oklahoma Borderline” in the early 1980s and smiled his simple, all-boy smile and I saw his hypnotic hazel eyes on the small screen for the first time, I was all ga-ga.

Shh! It is a secret!

The contest had one hitch. Those entering had to write a story about Amy Grant and what song of hers meant the most.

You know how hard it is for a writer to pick a top 10 book list? Imagine how hard it is to write a story and pick a favorite song of your most favorite female singer ever.

I flipped through my music library. Her songs are the ones that I know and can repeat the lyrics.

How could I choose a favorite?

That would be like asking my dog to pick his favorite squeaky toy – too many choices.

Her book, “Mosaic – Pieces of My Life So Far,” stands between my speakers on my computer desk. I pulled it out and started rereading it, in hopes for inspiration for an entry for the contest.

It wasn’t happening. The book was an inspiring piece in itself, woven with pieces of lyrics from songs, poems and, of course, her memoirs of real events in her life.

And that is what I shared in my story about Amy Grant and what her music meant to me. She is real. Her music and her career reflects a life in progress.

Two weeks later, I, who had never won a contest, listened on the radio at home to see who had won. The announcers made some comments about the event and then, I heard it.

“And the winners of the Amy Grant ‘Better Than a Hallelujah’ concert summer to remember event are … Becky Holland.” When I heard my name, my mouth dropped to the floor and I screamed – I was going to meet Amy Grant. I ran for my phone and called my mom … who else would you call?

The radio announcer called me today. She said we needed to be there at a specific time because a little later, each winner and their guests would be taken back to meet Grant for about 15 minutes and have their photos taken with her.

And I won for telling a story that I really didn’t think was going to be that outstanding.

At LaGrange Daily News, we’re looking for stories – stories of everyday people. These can be black, white, yellow, skinny, tall, short, weight-challenged, rich, poor, young, old, male or female people with hobbies and/or collections or a unique job. We’re also looking for people who can cook and might want to be spotlighted in our guest cook feature in which cooks share their cooking story and favorite recipes.

If you or someone you know has such a story, give editor Daniel Baker or me a call at (706) 884-7311, Exts. 234 or 229, or e-mail us at dbaker@ lagrangenews. com or bholland@ lagrangenews.com. Guest cook suggestions should be made to Sherri Brown at sbrown@ lagrangenews.com or (706) 884-7311, Ext. 240.

Everyone has a story worth telling.

And we want to tell your story.