Ashley Ahner's 12-year French fry fast was finally broken when former pop star Aaron Carter shared a fry with her "Lady and the Tramp" style.
In seventh grade, Ashley Ahner made an oath she wouldn't touch a French fry until she met teenage obsession, Aaron Carter.
Now an Auburn alumna, Ahner kept her oath and remained French fry-free until she personally met Carter at his concert at Bourbon Street Bar, Oct. 19.
Ahner said she has attended at least seven concerts with her friends.
Ahner said in February 2001, in her mother's minivan decorated with "Aaron Carter or Bust," she came up with an idea on their way to a Carter concert in Peoria, Ill.
"I told my three friends that I was going to stop eating French fries until I met Aaron Carter," Ahner said. "At the same time, we were die-hard fans and knew it was a challenge, but that eventually in the near future I would meet my crush."
Twelve years later, she was still fryless. Soon after the oath was made, Carter fizzled out of the music scene, but Ahner was still bent on keeping her oath to the end.
"Living French-fry free is mind-blowing in itself, and then once I tell people the reason why, they usually are speechless and confused." Ahner said.
Maggie Bird is a friend of Ahner's and was with her when she finally met Carter.
"I thought she was crazy," Bird said. "Who would want to give up eating French fries?"
In January 2013, Ahner learned Carter was back for his comeback tour and he would be in Decatur, Ga., close to her new home in Atlanta.
She said she couldn't believe he would be so close and hurriedly bought a table for four at the Eddie's Attic Venue where Carter would perform March 13, 2013.
A few days before the concert, she discovered a VIP ticket option, which included a meet-and-greet with Carter after the show. Unfortunately for Ahner, they were sold out.
"I may or may not have driven to work that morning with a few tears in my eyes when I saw my 12-year-old goal become attainable and then quickly get snatched away from my grasp," Ahner said. "I was deflated but knew there had to be a way."
Ahner said her only hope was the rumor that the best poster at the concert would be brought on stage. She made a simple poster with crossed out French fries advertising her 12-year fry fast.
After arriving, a teeny-bopper miracle occurred. She was stopped in line and given the chance to buy VIP wristbands for her and her two friends. When she got to her table, VIP wristbands in tow, she texted her roommates to bring some fries.
Her sign did the trick and got her noticed among the crowd of screaming fans. She was brought on stage with another girl and was serenaded by Carter's song "I'm All About You." When she met him after the concert, she told him all about her story and snapped a few photos.
"The story was too crazy not to be shared," Carter said.
After telling the whole room of VIPs about her 12-year journey, she decided it was only right Carter should be the one to feed her the first fry in 12 years.
Carter obliged, enjoying the fry and a brief kiss with Ahner.
A 12-year oath finally ended, and Ahner is no longer French-fry free.
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