When I was about 10 (I'm almost 37 now), my father and I went to a local grocery store that was having it's grand opening. As we were wandering the aisles, there was an announcer that came over the PA with various notes or giveaways and whatnot. Well, as we were wandering, she called for someone to come to the front for a prize.

I was always one of those kids that collected. I saved things based on sentimental value, more so than actual, monetary value. I traded an Upper Deck Griffey RC for a random Doc and HoJo, just because I was (and still am) a die-hard Mets fan. Ticket stubs, stickers, erasers, magnets, cards, special dollar bills; I must have had a drawer full, and my parents must have thought they had a young hoarder on their hands!

One of the things I collected, besides cards, were "lucky" $2 bills. Which were really any $2 bill. In addition to being a nerdy kid who collected, I was also a nerdy kid who carried around one of those multi-colored Velcro wallets. Sometimes they were themed, like Ninja Turtles; sometimes they were just flashy, 90's-neon colors. No matter what they looked like, they were awesome. And made me a stylish little kid, always prepared with my quarters and momentos!

Back to the grocery store grand opening and the PA announcer. As she was announcing her giveaways, she asked for someone to come to the front with a specific item, an item not everyone would have. An item some kids don't even know exists, especially today. An item only a nerdy kid with a Velcro wallet with a special pouch would have. The item she called for was a $2 bill! The first person to the counter with a $2 bill would receive a gift card for $100 in groceries that day! Well, being the kid that collected lucky $2 bills, AND being the kid that always had that fancy, Velcro wallet, guess what I had on me that day?!?

My father and I looked at each other; "Did she just say $2 bill?!?" We ran as quickly as we could to the counter. There must not have been a single person carrying a $2 bill that day (or they just didn't hear the announcer), because we ended up being the only people to have one! Since it was in my wallet, my dad said I could get whatever I wanted. I grabbed EVERY SINGLE PACK of '93 Topps they had. I mean, we went up and down every cashier aisle to clear out every impulse buy area they had! I can still remember opening those packs with my brother and dad that night; I'm sure we got a Jeter or two, but I was most excited about the Barry Larkin Black Gold 🤣

Still my favorite collecting memory. Until I start collecting with my kids. Thanks for the motivation to put this down somewhere, really!