Ann Pogue had only two dreams in life - to see Wynonna Judd live in concert and to meet the country music star in person. In one unforgettable night, both of the Decatur resident's dreams came true.

Pogue, 31, has waited about 18 years to see Judd in concert. Born with the birth defect spina bifida and a wheelchair user as a result, three times when Judd was performing in the area, Pogue's hopes to see the singer were thwarted by complications and illness.

"She's authentic and real open and up front with her struggles. I really relate to that," Pogue said of why she loves Judd. "She's absolutely real."

The timing was finally right for Pogue to make it to Wynonna Judd's "A Classic Christmas" concert Dec. 13 at the Assembly Hall in Champaign. With hopes of making the long-awaited experience ideal, Pogue wrote a letter with plenty of smiley faces and exclamation points to Judd's staff asking to meet the star.

A portion of her letter read, "Wy and her music (and The Judds' music) have had a great impact on my life. Her music has gotten me through some of the most difficult times in my life. It has inspired me to persevere through all of my trials and tribulations. Wy and her music have given me the strength to fight when I thought all my strength was gone."

Little did Pogue know Grammy-Award winning folk singer and "one of my dearest friends" Barbara Bailey Hutchinson got in touch with her producing buddy, singer-songwriter Gene Cotton, to set up the meet and greet with Judd.

Cotton has known the Judd family since the early 1980s and "have remained good friends over the years" with Wynonna, he said.

"Wy just loves this kind of stuff," he said in an e-mail. "She's a very caring and giving person. It was really a 'no brainer,' because I knew she would be all over it. That's just the kind of person she is.

"It just goes to show you that the littlest of things that you do sometimes can make a big difference in someone's life. I was glad to be a part of it."

Days before the concert, Pogue found out she was to go backstage and meet Judd, but was instead met by a line of about 15 people waiting to meet Judd in the 30 minutes available.

As luck would have it Pogue and her mother, Chris, were approached by someone she believes was Judd's tour manager.

"He said, 'You two are going to be the first ones to meet her'," Pogue said. "And he knew my name. That was so surreal."

Judd walked up to Pogue and her mother. Pogue said to them it seemed as if she was floating. Pogue introduced herself and presented Judd with a 5-by-7 drawing she created of Judd.

"I told my mom to start snapping and don't stop," Pogue said of taking pictures with Judd.

"I can't explain how sweet she is," she said. "I was immediately put at ease with her personality. I wasn't nervous at all."

Pogue recalled Judd constantly touching her, through a hug or holding her hand.

"She was holding me tightly, which was really special for me," she said. "I have an even deeper respect and greater admiration for my Shero."

Pogue also got to meet friends from the Wynonna.com message boards of which she is named "WheelinWYFan."

Pogue calls the night nothing short of her "Christmas miracle."

"She and the show and the night were beyond any of my greatest expectations in every way," she said. "This night couldn't have been more perfect if I had scripted it myself."

Alicia Spates can be reached at aspates@herald-review.com or 421-6986.