Well, I did it. This evening, I met the three reasons why I fell in love with rock and roll in the first place: Billie Joe, Mike and Tré.

I began my journey to meet the guys nearly 18 hours ago when I stood in line to get a wristband that would guarantee my entry into a meet-and-greet with Green Day at their album signing tonight at Best Buy. I haven't slept at all since then (except for a 15-minute nap I had on the sidewalk at around 5:30 a.m.), but, strangely, it hasn't caught up with me yet ... I've been too excited. And then, as if that wasn't enough, thanks to MTV News, I was able to tag along to an exclusive interview we had with the band before they whipped out the pens to sign 500 albums.

As we waited in the downstairs studio at the store, I tried to calm my nerves but could not keep my legs from shaking or my heart from pounding. When we got the signal that the guys were on their way down, I thought for a minute I might faint or cry (or both), but luckily, I held it together.

When Green Day walked into the room, I was completely unprepared for the first thing that happened: Billie Joe walked immediately over to me, with arms wide open. We hugged. And then I almost died.

I’m pretty sure their publicist Brian told the guys there was this crazy intern who had waited since 3 a.m. to see them and he knew a hug would probably make me melt. He was right. I was so shocked by the fact I had just wrapped my arms around Billie Joe that I couldn’t even reach my hand out to Mike and Tré. But, I think any more physical contact with the band and I would’ve been out cold.

The interview felt like it was over in 30 seconds, but it only took that long to show me that the dudes were as charismatic as I always imagined them to be. They cracked jokes (Tré making a sexual innuendo as to how he got his wrist ready for a night of signing) and admitted they would line up early too for a chance to meet their favorite bands if they were young again. (Billie Joe’s choice? Hüsker Dü.) Green Day were such normal dudes that it felt totally natural to be 4 feet away from rock stars (well, for about a second maybe).

Before Green Day were rushed out to begin signing, I managed to get a sweet picture with the band. If you ask me, I think I look like their fourth member. Or, more accurately, just a fan who began her love in elementary school and got to meet them a week before graduating college.

I’d say it was worth the wait.

Last night, I sacrificed a night of sleep in the name of Green Day. And with only a few hours to go before I get my chance to meet them, I am shaking in my seat and trying to think of what I will possibly say to them in the event that I don’t pass out.

After hearing that the guys would be doing an album signing at the Best Buy in Midtown Manhattan on the day their 21st Century Breakdown album hit stores, and that wristbands to a meet-and-greet with the band would be handed out to the first 500 people to buy that album, well, I knew I would be there dark and early.

I began my adventure at 1:30 am when I took the last train of the night from my Jersey town into the city and grabbed my spot on the line at exactly 3am. As I got closer to Best Buy, I could already see people crowded around the corner of the store. I later learned that I was the 99th person in line. At first, I thought it was crazy that there had been nearly 100 people on the line by 3 am, but it's Green Day, and Green Day fans are crazy.

Take Rich for instance, the guy who nabbed the first place on line. He’s been waiting since 9am yesterday morning. That’s right ... he's been in line 24 hours and counting. Mad props to that dude. He was prepared ... me? Not so much. And you can read about my night on the mean streets of NYC after the jump.

The majority of people who camped out came fully prepared with blankets, chairs and pillows. I brought a backpack containing cameras, a change of clothes and a PB&J sandwich. That's it. I’m not sure how, but somewhere in between talking to the people around me and tuning into my iPod, I fell asleep on the cold, hard cement for about 15 minutes. I wouldn’t do that for just any band.

At around 8am, Best Buy opened its doors and starting letting people in to buy the album and get a wristband. By this time, the line had grown to well near 500 people. I’m definitely glad I got there when I did.

Because now, even though I'm beyond tired and chugging Red Bulls to avoid crashing out, I’ve got my bright blue wristband on, and am mere hours away from being face to face with Billie Joe, Mike and Tre.

Jealous? I can’t blame you.