by MONA D'AMOURS, aged 17 NO - I'm not Herman's girlfriend. But, like so many other girls, I wish I were. After being with him for a little over half an hour, I discovered another side to him. A side that no one ever sees. Let me explain. . .      You're perhaps wondering how I ever met Herman. Well, I won a contest sponsored by CHUM Radio in Toronto, and my prize was to meet Herman and his Hermits backstage at the Maple Leaf Stadium before they did a show there.      Their dressing room was dark and the boys all looked exhausted. Karl was sitting on an old wardrobe trunk tuning his guitar, just gazing blankly at everyone and anything. Keith was sitting on a bench and Barry and Lek were walking around aimlessly. All of a sudden Herman burst into the middle of the room and, with a big smile on his face, exclaimed in a real English accent: "Hello luvs, ya all come to see me?" He introduced me to to all the Hermits and then agreed to pose with them for a photograph. They smiled for me, "klick" went my camera - but the flash wouldn't work! I tried again - but this time the shutter jammed! Was I ever burned up! The boys started laughing because I look so funny when I'm angry! But third time proved lucky and everyone cheered.      After I put down my camera, I noticed that Herman had disappeared. I notice an open door at the end of the room and decided to investigate. And there was Herman - all alone. The room was very quiet and as Herman was putting on his white jacket I could see a faint shadow of lonliness in his gorgeous blue eyes. We started talking to each other, but what amazes me is that I don't remember what we were talking about! I guess I was too excited. I asked him if he would have a photograph taken with me and my young sister Lissa who had also come along. "Sure, glad to," he smiled. And thank goodness, the camera worked without any trouble! All too soon the meeting was over and we had to leave as the group had to change for their performance. I told Herman how pleased I was to meet him, and like old friends we shook hands and departed. No, I didn't kiss him, but I must have held his hand for a full thirty seconds. That was better than a quick kiss, don't you think?      Ten minutes later the boys were on stage and the screaming and girls fainting started. I was sitting directly in front of the stage and knew it would be useless waving to Herman as everyone else around me was waving. So I tried something different. I moved my fingers quickly, one after the other on my left hand, and then gave him a little salute. Herman looked straight at me, smiled, and did the same while he was romantically singing, Can't You Hear My Heartbeat. I knew then that he'd really seen me. I wondered if he liked me - just a little.      That night I came home and cried. Yes, I had fallen in love with Herman - with his irresistible personality and his gorgeous big blue eyes. The day we met was the happiest day in my life, but it was also very sad, because I knew deep down that this short, but long-lived love had come to an end for I would probably never see again the one I truly love. . .

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