Sometimes, it really doesn’t hurt to ask.
When Nashville, Tennessee couple Kristen Jerkins and Joe Dobrin started planning their May 5th wedding, they decided to extend an invitation to a rather unlikely guest. The couple considers themselves “super fans” of actor Tom Hanks, so they thought, “Why not invite him?” They had nothing to lose, and everything to gain… so they went for it.
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“We’re really big Tom Hanks fans. I grew up idolizing him … I’ve just thought he was a cool, down-to-earth guy,”Kristen said. “It was my idea to write him. My fiancé kind of giggled at me, but my mom always said ‘You never know, if you never ask,’ so I thought I’d try and see if he would say anything back.”
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Kristen mailed off the invitation and crossed her fingers. She imagined she’d be like the majority of star-struck fans who send letters to their Hollywood idols and never hear a word back.
But she was wrong.
Using his trademark typewriter, the actor sent Kristen and Joe a personal letter.
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While Tom won’t be able to make their wedding in Alabama, he replied to the couples’ kindness with an invitation of his own.
“Dear Kristen and Joseph,
Here is a picture taken of me while I ponder whether there is some way I can make it to your wedding.
Dang it, but I am in rehearsals for a play here in Los Angeles starting in May. Rats. Gotta send regrets.
BUT, if you are in Santa Monica or Los Angeles in June, I will invite you to come see the production (from Shakespeare) of the Falstaff stories. Let me know if you can be my guests.
And, congratulations you kooky kids,
Throw deep,
Tom Hanks”
And in case you think some assistant typed this up while the real “Hanx” never saw the invite, he included a Polaroid in the envelope as proof:
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Omg.
Kristen and Joe are now planning to take a trip to Los Angeles to see the play and hopefully meet the legendary Mr. Hanks in person after they return from their honeymoon in Tahiti.
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Congratulations, Kristen and Joe! It sure was kind of Tom, who is one of the busiest actors in the industry, to take the time to make a personal connection with two of his fans like this. Those of us who grew up laughing and crying along with this actor like him just a little bit more, if that’s possible, just knowing he’s a regular, approachable guy in spite of his fame and fortune.
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