My family went out to eat at a small Thai restaurant today. Just as our food was delivered, I hear from the table behind us a voice uttering those powerful words: American Idol. Now, I don't know if anyone else is like me, but every time I hear the name, my heart leaps.

And especially since last night was Wednesday. And Adam performed on American Idol. So when I hear the name, my heart stops for a second, and then instantly I develop a super-consciousness for any sounds coming from the family sitting behind us.

"Do you remember Adam Lambert?" The mom, I think.
"Oh yeah." The grandmother.
"I don't even know who that is." The dad.
"Oh, he was the runner-up last season. Everyone thought he should have won, but he didn't. That other guy... uh... the Christian guy won."

I can't even think. All I know is that every hair on my body is standing straight up.

They discuss the current contestants a little.
Then the little girl says, "Adam Lambert... he's a good singer."
The mom laughs. "Yeah, he's a really good singer. And very dramatic."

I'm in love with this family.

I can't hear what they say for the next few minutes, but suddenly the girl- and here's the high point- starts singing. "Whataya want from me?" She trills, again and again. "Whataya want from me?"

I want to run over to her and hug her, and smile, and tell her, "I love Adam too!"

She repeats the line many times; it cuts through the chatter and fills the air of the whole restaurant. And with this small act, this little girl singing his song just out of joy for singing, because it's a beautiful song, and because she admires him, comes the realization that Adam Lambert truly is a household name now.

The best part of all this is that it doesn't feel surreal, like all my other encounters with fans, or even when I stood there at his very own concert. It feels 100% real. This is one of those moments I will always treasure. It's my first true confirmation (in the real world- the world of spicy curry, grumpy old couples, and laughing families) that Adam Lambert is a star. I've always felt it in my heart, ever since I first heard him sing, but now I know the world knows it, too. ★