You never know what the day might bring.

As Musikfest 2012 gets under way, one headlining musical act on the bill this year really drew my attention: Sheryl Crow.

Many moons ago, specifically October 2005, I had the opportunity of a lifetime: I hugged Sheryl Crow.

It's a long story, but with Crow coming to Musikfest on Friday, it's worth repeating -- and reliving.

My love -- well, in a music sense -- of Sheryl Crow started when I heard "All I Wanna Do" on the radio for the first time in the spring of 1994.

As that song was climbing up the charts, it turned out that she was going to be the opening act for when I saw my favorite group, The Eagles, in concert.

I was very impressed by her songs and bought her debut album. The love affair grew over the years...

Crow became an overnight sensation. And with her charm and good looks, she was on the cover of every magazine. Her music was very inspiring and catchy too. It just seemed like she was everywhere.

After seeing her in concert about three or four times (even a show in Central Park), I scored a ticket to see her at the Tower Theatre in Upper Darby (an intimate venue where I had seen Supertramp, Kansas and David Crosby over the years.)

The stage was set...

The day before the show, I had just left my job as editor of a newspaper in Pottsville after five years. I was pretty bummed, but hoping that the concert might cheer me up.

Never knowing traffic, I got to the venue early. A crowd was already gathered around.

Turns out they were there for some radio contest. The group got called into the theater and someone asked me if I was with the group. So I played dumb, said yes and got inside.

We entered the theater and Crow and her band were rehearsing. So we took some seats and got to watch the performance -- still with no one realizing that I wasn't part of the group.

Then, came the words that shocked me. Someone said, "Ok, we're going to go on stage to meet her."

Wow, I wasn't expecting this. We all lined up and then got on stage in a file.

It was like meeting the queen or president. I don't really remember many men being in the group.

But all the women wanted to see Crow's engagement ring. She had just gotten engaged to cyclist Lance Armstrong.

I needed a plan. She was coming near me.

I've interviewed numerous celebrities and popular politicians over the years (Charles Barkley, Bob Dole, Don Henley, Tom Kean, Joe Biden, to name a few) so I wasn't as starstruck as most.

So here was this gorgeous woman who looked a lot shorter in person. But, with Crow being from the Midwest, she just seemed so sweet.

Here came my big chance. So I asked her for a hug. Why not go for it all?

She went for it. Made my millenium.

Throughout the concert, I told people that I hugged her. I told friends and family the entire week after. I've been telling people my entire life since.

I'm not sure if I'm going to see Crow perform here Friday. But I have my memories that will last a lifetime.

Thanks for that hug!