Living for 'Today'

I clenched my teeth, took a deep breath and smiled. I heard a "go" and the door in front of me opened. I took a step and then another.

And then I stopped. It all stopped. For what felt like hours and nanoseconds all the same, the world stopped.

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And then it began again.

I said quick goodbyes and accepted congratulations before being ushered (nicely, I promise) off set. Twenty minutes later, I was in a cab back to the airport and back to reality.

But it happened. It really happened.

I was on the "Today Show."

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I was first contacted by someone affiliated with "The Joy Fit Club"/NBC just after my Woman's Day article appeared. She wanted me to apply to be a member of the club - but offered me no promises. I might not ever make the show and, if I did, it might be months down the road. Regardless, I filled out a lengthy questionnaire, attached photos and sent it on its merry way.

And forgot about it.

In fact, I'm not sure it had so much crossed my subconscious until I got the email last Monday afternoon - a mere week before the segment would air - asking if I was interested in being on the show. I was tired and had just walked in the door from our Colorado vacation. A trip to New York? In a week? Did I want to?

Uh ... Uh ... YES!

Of course, it required some logistical planning and complete support and pure awesomeness on the part of my husband as well as my colleagues but I was in.

Over the course of last week, I talked to producers and editorial directors, scrounged up photos, recorded a voiceover and received travel information all the while doubting that this was actually going to happen. Maybe it was because Miles' birthday was just days away and a  dreaded 12-miler was scheduled for Sunday but I was only consumed by the work and not the thought of the trip.

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9:15 a.m. - it was my call time.

I bullied my way through photographers waiting to grab shots of celebrities exiting the studios (Queen Latifah, Ray Romano and Pink were there) as I made my way into the studio.

I was ushered back to a green room where snacks and drinks awaited though there was no time for that. Hair and makeup awaited.

I can only hope that everyone is so lucky as to experience professional hair and makeup. The queens of New York gush about your hair and looks as they curl, tease, smooth and curl again. They deftly dab away your undereye circles and line your lips with the same skill that they do celebrities. It is absolutely amazing and I would die for someone to do it every day.

I resisted the urge to take pictures at this time. It just didn't seem cool - ya know. Oh, and Piper Pearabo was walking behind me. Talk about awkward.

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It all looked so pretty. From the perfectly sliced avocado to the uniformly cut carrot matchsticks, the food that I eat so often was now TV ready.

Joy, her editorial director Johannah and "Today" producer Amanda gave me a quick tour of the set, introducing me to the production people who were all going to make the segment work. They told me where to stand, how to walk out and when to look out at the camera.

And they told me to smile. All I really had to do was smile, they said.

That, and hide from Hoda. Apparently, she likes to be just as surprised as the viewers are by the big reveal. Mark, one of the production folks, ushered me to the side as the hosts walked on. They closed the set door and put me in position.

You look great, they said. Just smile.

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The segment was over more quickly than I imagined, and Hoda and Kathie Lee rushed off set as if someone screamed "Happy Hour!" I think Kathie Lee touched my hand - sadly, it's been washed - but it's hard to say.

I took some photos on set with Joy, went back down to hair and make up to grab my bag and hugged the Js goodbye. 

I walked out of the studio, hair and make-up done. My dress still on. I slung my bag, with a map for Mark and a onesie for Miles inside, over my shoulder and walked the three blocks to the hotel.

I had been on TV but home was calling.