Lee County resident Roxanna Ray shares magical Christmas in July moment with actor Karl Urban at GalaxyCon Raleigh

Roxanna Ray, a longtime resident of Lee County, North Carolina, recalls a truly memorable Christmas in July. A surprise trip to GalaxyCon Raleigh allowed her to meet actor Karl Urban, to whom she presented a scarf she had hand-knitted. The experience revealed how friendship, generosity, and faith can forge unforgettable memories.

It all started on July 3, when I saw a Facebook ad for GalaxyCon Raleigh stating that Karl Urban, the New Zealand actor and heartthrob, had agreed to appear at the pop culture convention later this month. Let me state for the record that I have had an undying crush on Mr. Karl Urban for years (since his Xena and Hercules days). Holy cow! I excitedly texted some friends, including one in South Carolina, Melanie Thorne, about this: the king of nerds was going to be in Raleigh. Look up Urban’s filmography, he deserves the sobriquet.

I met Melanie at a science fiction convention in Georgia more years ago than I’m going to admit to. So don’t ask.

The next day, Independence Day, I received a voicemail from Melanie: “I’ve got news. Call me as soon as you can.” My mind immediately went to “She’s very ill.” So, I braced myself and called her back.

“What are you doing on the 25^th?” she asked.

Relieved she wasn’t on death’s door; I was confused by the question. What was I, a red-blooded American woman, doing on July 25? The same thing every other red-blooded American woman would be doing.

 “It’s Christmas in July. I’ll be watching Hallmark movies all day,” is my completely rational answer.

I’m informed no, I won’t be. Instead, I will be at GalaxyCon in Raleigh where I will meet Karl Urban; Melanie took it upon herself to purchase a day pass for herself and me. She also purchased a ticket for an autograph session and a selfie with Mr. Urban. Merry early Christmas!

I was speechless for approximately 10 minutes. Then I couldn’t thank her enough. I was stunned; I couldn’t understand why anyone would do something so nice for me. I’m not anyone special. But to Melanie, I am special, and she wanted to brighten up my world. I’ve had a few rough years with my health, and I recently lost a beloved pet (that’s another story).

After we rang off, I thought that I wanted to do something special to show Mr. Urban my appreciation of his craft and well, gee, everyone deserves a Christmas in July present (Yes, I’m one of those annoyingly chipper people who listens to Christmas music throughout the year and begins the countdown to Christmas on Boxing Day).

I have a friend who lives in Matraville, Australia, a suburb of Sydney, and she has constantly been complaining how chilly it is now Down Under. It’s winter in the Southern Hemisphere. Winter…Christmas in July…winter…warm clothing…I knit Mr. Urban a scarf for the winter back home.

I selected two skeins of yarn from my vast stash, variegated denim blue and a variegated brown bamboo acrylic blend. I had a pattern in my head. I call it the Trinity. It’s three stitches: knit 2, Purl 1 row after row. I recited the names of the Trinity to keep up with my count while I knitted this pattern. I also prayed for the recipient of my knitted gift. I also prayed for family and friends while I was at it.

I started knitting on the 5^th. I kept at it until the 23^rd. I honestly didn’t think I would finish it in time; I’m a slow knitter. But I did. I told several friends what I planned to do. This was a way of encouraging myself to finish the project and to actually give it to him when I met him. I didn’t want to disappoint my friends or myself. Did I mention that I’m a huge introvert?

Once The Scarf was complete (and yes, that is how I refer to it in my mind now-The Scarf), I could concentrate on getting things assembled and ready for the con. 

Two days before the con, I found out another friend from Charlotte, Cheralyn Lambeth, would be there Saturday. Oh, this was going to be great! Cheralyn is one of the nicest people you could ever meet. She is a sweetheart. And ridiculously talented.

I had ordered a nice cotton dress to wear. I had also ordered a nice gift for Melanie. I chose gift bags and a card for Melanie. I had to find the magazine I wanted Mr. Urban to sign. Several years ago, I had an article appear in an issue of Starlog magazine. I wanted Mr. Urban to sign it. There is an interview with Peter Jackson in the same issue and while there are no Karl Urban photos accompanying the article, there is a lovely cover.

Let’s see, clothes, gifts, gift bags, magazine, all items checked off.

Friday evening, Melanie and I finalized plans for when and where we would meet to drive up together.

I went to bed early Friday evening and somehow managed to get to sleep. “I’m going to see my crush tomorrow at the con! I haven’t been this excited since two of my favorite authors were making appearances at local bookstores and I was able to attend those events.” Yes, I fully acknowledge I’m a nerd girl. I proudly wear that badge.

Saturday morning arrived. So did the nerves. Melanie was late. I was antsy. But I tried to be Zen, after all, getting snippy with the person who had given me this tremendous gift, would be ungracious. Jesus wouldn’t like that.

I gave Melanie her gift, a CD of music that was found in Jane Austen’s parlor upon her death. The CD was recorded in her parlor. Melanie is an Austenite.

We made it to the con. And it was a total madhouse. There were thousands of people there. It was worse than Wal-Mart on Saturday afternoon during the Christmas season or back to school time. It was disorienting.

We checked with information. We oriented ourselves and decided we had two hours to kill before William Shatner’s panel (yes, Captain James T. Kirk – BONUS!!). We headed down to the exhibit hall, where the vendors were located. It was organized chaos. There were booths all over the place. It was all anime and video games. Where were the books? Where were the collectibles? I had hoped to do some early Christmas shopping for my two great-nephews and great-niece. The only thing I parted with there was my sanity. The people were so thick; you couldn’t stir them with a stick. It was unreal. Way worse than Wal-Mart on a Saturday afternoon.

I did, however, see some amazing costumes. People were so nice, too. They accommodated requests for photos of their outfits. There was Christine from PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, the Bridgerton ladies, Glenda, the Good Witch, and the usual Star Trek TOS costumes. One costume I absolutely loved was Jedi Santa (darn, I wish I had gotten a photo of him). I bid him a Merry Christmas in July, and that seemed to tickle the gentleman. I wished everyone we ran into a Merry Christmas in July, and that seemed to amuse them. I made people smile. It was a good day.

Mr. Shatner spoke about the cancer research podcast he does with his daughter, Melanie. He also spoke about life and waxed lyrical about finding your purpose and discovering who you are and getting older. It was an interesting and stimulating hour.

After Shatner’s panel, we decided to have lunch. Then it was back into the trenches, aka the Exhibit Hall, so Melanie could get her photo with Mr. Shatner. It was printed out on the spot, so she was able to get in line to have him autograph it.

I was getting antsy; it was getting close to time to get in line for Urban’s autograph and selfie session. That got postponed until after his panel at 5 p.m. We regrouped. So we had an hour to kill. We went to the main stage area on level four. There we found the gamers’ room. It was quiet, and it had chairs. Oh, fabulous day! We could sit and rest our feet.

When Urban’s panel was to begin, it was as if a swarm of locusts had entered into the hall. A seat could not be found. I was grateful that we eventually found seats with a pretty good view of the projection screen.

Urban’s panel was a Q & A.  He asked the crowd if they would like him to return to GalaxyCon. That earned a huge roar of approval from the audience. Urban was witty, thoughtful, and kind. He was urbane, if not a bit salty. The language was not kiddo appropriate.

After the panel, it was a mass exodus. Holy cow, the people. I’m thinking there might have been an overcapacity violation. We trudged down the dungeon, aka the Exhibit Hall.

We got in line.I had texted Cheralyn all day trying to find out where she was. The internet connection in the hotel was hinky. I don’t think our messages went out when we sent them. I invited her to join us in line to be in the selfie with Mr. Urban. She didn’t get the message in time.

Finally, I was at the head of the line. I said hello to Mr. Urban. Then I presented him with The Scarf, by telling him everyone needed a Christmas in July gift. He took one look at it said, “I love it. It’s my colors.” I was beyond thrilled; all my hard work was appreciated.  I was also thrilled that I didn’t chicken out and not give it to him.

Mr. Urban held my magazine. I explained to him why that issue was so special to me and why his signature on it would make it more special to me. He seemed impressed that I had an article in it. He wanted to see it. Well, you never ask a writer about their writing. I happily pointed out my byline to Mr. Urban. He seemed genuinely interested.

Then it was time for the selfie. Melanie requested Mr. Urban wear The Scarf I made. He put it on. He stood between us. I was kind of in a daze at that point. I honestly didn’t feel his hand on my shoulder. I was beyond thrilled. But felt a little shy.

Karl Urban was polite and kind. I appreciate his generosity in giving his time with the fans and being gracious.

I walked away on cloud nine. I thanked Melanie again for her Christmas gift. I was an incredibly happy woman. I had met my celebrity crush, and he was everything you could want in a gentleman.

We happily headed up to the main lobby where Cheralyn was at a table with a group. We had a brief but pleasant visit with her. Cheralyn was happy for me. We tried to strategize publicity for an upcoming book of hers, to be published in the near future.

I am a blessed woman; I have a friend who thinks highly of me. And has a generous spirit to boot. Interestingly, I had a lot of people rooting for me and The Scarf. So, my blessings are overflowing. I have many good friends who wish me well. I am a rich woman.  

July 27, 2026

Roxanna Ray

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