I love superheroes.

My car is named “The Batmobile,” I have every superhero-themed piece of clothing (from a Superman onesie to Spider-Man socks and sweatshirts) and I’ve even seen Spider-Man the Musical.

My parents bought me tickets for my birthday this summer to Dallas Comic Con. The fact that it was my 22nd birthday, and not my 12th, is not too important. In true nerd form, I spent the next few days creating my Batman costume (which, by the way, is hanging in my closet, just in case I need it).

My cousin and I arrived at Comic Con, the place where all superhero dreams come true. Everyone – from cosplay champs in lifelike costumes to first timers like myself “” came together to celebrate our nerdy love. Comic Con is the one day where running around with a cape is the norm and the nearest Starbucks is filled with Captain Americas, Spocks and aliens of every form. And the best part? If you saw a costume you loved or, perhaps, a very attractive someone dressed as your favorite superhero, it was socially acceptable to approach them for a picture.

I saw everyone from Castle and Beckett to Mystique. However, my one hope was to meet my favorite hero, Spider-Man. I did run into Darth Vader and politely asked, “Excuse me sir, but can you choke me with The Force for a picture?” to which he gladly obliged. Or at least I think he did, it was hard to tell with that helmet.

Along with superheroes galore were booth after booth of sci-fi souvenirs and comic book collectibles. Dallas Comic Con even had props from the Star Wars movies and the television show Supernatural. And to top it all off, my cousin and I got to sit through a question-and-answer session with Nathan Fillion – Richard Castle in the television show Castle. Granted, because we were in the last row, he was the size of an action figure. But it was amazing all the same.

But the day was quickly coming to a close, and, sadly, it was time to leave this sci-fi fantasy world. We spent all our cash on posters, Superman hair bows and Star Trek night gowns, but I still hadn’t met Spider-Man.

And then, while we were exiting the Convention Center, there he was. My one true, web-slinging love. Down the hallway, maybe 50 feet away, walking toward the exit.

I yelled out “Spider-Man,” desperately hoping he’d hear. And surprisingly he turned around. Within seconds, I had closed the gap between us, running to meet my favorite hero with my own cape flying behind me. With my heart beating loudly enough that I’m sure it was making his Spider-Sense tingle, I asked for a picture. As is true to the always shy Peter Parker, he wordlessly nodded yes and assumed the Spider-Man pose.

Sadly, my time with this stranger in red was all too short. After the camera clicked, I said my goodbyes to Spidey, and he was off to save someone else’s day.

Now that my superhero dreams were complete, I decided I could retire my black cape to it’s closet for next year’s Comic Con. But this time, I’m thinking I’ll trade in my cape for some red and blue Spandex.