Contestant Blogs

Becky C.

POSTED on 4-12
Ok WOW!!! What a show! There were both amazing highs and a few sad lows.
I don't think I even saw the letters come up in the first toss up round. I was thinking too hard and worried that I would make a fool of myself on national television. My husband later told me that he could actually see my shaking a little and knew I was nervous at first. After our interviews with Pat, I started to feel a little more assured on the set. When the second toss up started appearing I knew the answer right away. I waited for about one more second just to make sure and then rang in. I did it! I now knew that I could hold my head up since I at least solved one puzzle!!

With the next puzzle, I was sure that contestant three knew the answer since he guessed the letter 'w'. When he didn't solve I knew I had a chance. With a quick glance at the leader board I saw that I was in the lead by a very small amount... $2,000 to contestant two's $1,000. I had already spun $1,000 worth in my bank and made the decision to solve the puzzle rather than risk losing my marginal lead. After winning that round I smiled to myself knowing that $3,000 was a very good amount to at least take home.

The next round is the one that will probably haunt me forever. The theme was song & artist and almost immediately I knew what the song was but could not figure out the artist! With every spin I took I could feel Pat cringe knowing that at any moment I could hit bankrupt and lose it all. Think, think, think Becky, I kept telling myself. WHO sang it?! At the very end of it I ALMOST called the letter 'c'. It was on the tip of my tongue and then I looked at the letter board. I saw 'n' there and was surprised I hadn't called such an obvious letter yet. So I did... and just like that my turn was over. Player two solved. Now I must say that yes at home it is much much easier to solve puzzles since you don't have an audience and camera staring at your every move. It's a bit of pressure! But I really don't know why 'The Police' didn't dawn on me. I KNOW that song... I could probably sing you every word of it! After losing more than $10,000 that round I tried to shake off the let down feeling and hoped I would do better next puzzle.

The next puzzle was the prize puzzle and it really was my sole goal to solve this round. It's all I talked about before appearing on the show. I often told people that if I only solved one round, and it was the prize puzzle round, then I would be very satisfied with my experience. I REALLY focused on that puzzle and tried to stay 'in the game'. I wanted to take my husband on an amazing trip. But I wasn't able to figure it out and again player two solved. Oh oh, I thought, the lead is gone and the show is slipping away from me.

During commercial break the contestant coordinators give everyone a little pep talk as the make-up crew provided quick touch-ups. They smiled assumingly at me and said that good things often happen late in the game. I smiled back and told myself to shake it off. Right before the cameras came back Pat leaned in and told us that the game wasn't over yet and just play to have fun. He said that the show passes really quickly so enjoy every moment. He's right, I thought. Just have fun Becky!

Finally the sound effect team made the noise for times running out. Pat reached over and spun the final spin and as my I held my breath I saw it slowly land on $5,000!!! I believe I gasped out loud. $5,000 + $1,000 (the show adds to the final spin) would mean that each letter would now be worth $6,000 each!!! It really was ANYONES game!

Ironically enough, I knew the final puzzle almost right off. My father is a HUGE sports fan and all I could think was that I had to solve this last puzzle. When I realized I had a chance to guess a letter I tried to think about which letter would show up the most. I called letter 'm' and watched two appear. I solved the correct puzzle!!! Yahoo! Somewhere in my brain I was trying to do the math and for some reason I thought I won $7,000 the final round. So $7,000 plus the $3,000 I already won would equal $10,000 and I knew player two had more than $11,000. Oh well.
But then Pat asked if I knew what I did and I glanced at the leader board. OH MY GOODNESS... it read $15,000! I did it... I actually did it!

Walking over to the bonus round I was thinking two things.

1. Why oh why did I not wear heels?! Sure the flats were the most comfortable option and since I didn't ever expect to make the bonus round I figured no one would ever see my shoes. But of course I was wrong and now longed for the heels that were in the dressing room.
2. I was really ok just knowing I made it this far. Just to introduce my audience members and let them experience a piece of this was really satisfying for me. I knew that they would be on camera and that everyone back home would be proud of me too.

The bonus puzzle theme was 'Thing'. As a few letters appeared I started thinking about which ones I would guess. Out of nowhere... a little voice in my head said 'y' and the next immediate thought was'd'. Trust my inner voice I thought. So I guessed those letters along with 'h' and the vowel 'o'. When the board lit up with my guesses I knew I won. I solved the puzzle and immediate joy overcame me.

Pat opened the envelope and I saw $45,000!!!! I recall screaming and then crying and then watched as my mom ran right to me with tears in her eyes. I hugged and jumped at my mom, husband, and friend and experienced one of the greatest moments in my life. This money would allow me to spend more time at home with my two little daughters, Ashlyn who is only 9 months old and Madison who is 4 years. This money would allow my husband and me a little breathing room and the ability to take our family on its first vacation together. This money would in short change our lives and be such an incredible memory for all of us.
I know one day I will explain to my children that if you really want something than go for it. Even if it takes you thirteen years, I believe that one day anything can happen. And I'll never forget that good things can truly happen late in the game.

Thank you to Wheel of Fortune and all your amazing staff members who gave me this wonderful opportunity. Thank you to the make-up artists and contestant coordinators who gave me a little extra confidence. But most of all... THANK YOU Pat for landing on the $5,000 wedge on the final spin!!!