Have you ever had a moment that just seemed like one happy coincidence? Or maybe you did something with friends years ago, and then got together to do it all over again? A moment that just seems "fitting"? Well, I had one of those moments recently. You see, the first time I ever saw the band HIM perform was back in high-school. My mother, who deserves a shout out for being so cool, drove my brother and I over two hours away to go see them. I remember feeling so excited that when we arrived, I was adamant about finding a spot as close to the front of the stage as we could get. My mother on the other hand insisted on sitting next to one of the security guards towards the back because he had extra chairs. Now imagine being about 5’ 2” (on a good day), and trying to muscle your way to the front of a crowd. But this wasn’t your every day crowd either. This was a venue that was quickly filling up with people in normal clothes as well as those dressed in elaborate gothic fashions. And of course, with my luck, an older woman wearing a top hat decides she’s going to stand right in front of me. Not in front of my brother who was just there because I asked him to come. Not in front of the two guys standing on the other side of me who were clearly taller. But right in front of the short teenager who was already having a hard time seeing the stage.
As the show started I started jumping up, and down. Swaying from one side to the other in the opposite direction as the lady in front of me. I even switched spots with my brother, and then switched back because it put me farther away from the band and I was not about to have that. After bumping into this lady for what seemed like the hundredth time while trying to get some pictures I noticed that there was a kid standing next to me who was a lot taller than me, and had a clear view of the singer. So, I nudged him with my elbow, and asked if he could take a few pictures for me. He nodded in agreement so I handed him my camera, and he started clicking away. Throughout the show we exchanged some words, and he took some video for me. Then he asked if I wanted to stand in front of him since I was having a hard time seeing. Afterwards we exchanged some contact information, talked briefly out in the parking lot, and a few days later he was added to my messenger list. And we’ve kept in touch ever since. He was actually the first person to let me know that one of our favorite bands was calling it quits. When I decided to put in some overtime in order to buy my ticket I asked if he was planning on attending any of the shows. He said he would be coming to the Dallas show just like he had before. We discussed meeting up either before or after the show, but left it at that.
Of course, once the day came, it was just one set back after another for me. After I made it inside I sent a message letting him know that I’d catch up with them afterwards. I grabbed my beer, and started making my way off to the side. Then, a group of people shifted backwards so I took that opportunity to move forward. Unfortunately, just like at the first show, I again found myself stuck behind two tall people. As I looked around them I noticed that there was a girl standing in front, and directly to the side of her was a nice open spot. I tapped her on the shoulder and asked if I could stand in that area. She nodded, and leaned in saying “Sure, go ahead!” And you guys, it was such a sweet spot! I had a clear view of the whole band so I started taking a few pictures, and I remember thinking to myself that this night was already so spectacular when I heard my name being called out. At first I thought I had misheard what was being said, but as I looked over there was my friend standing one person over.
You guys! It was such a cool moment! From earlier conversations I thought they were at the very front. So, I was so not expecting to see them until afterwards. It was such a surreal, crazy, full circle moment! He said “C’mon, bring it in!” and gave me a hug. We talked for a few moments, and then he asked if I wanted him to take some pictures. So, I fully took advantage of the fact that he’s still a good 4-5 inches taller than me. When a couple of people, who were really drunk kept pushing into me he asked if I wanted to stand in front of them instead. And again, I wasn’t going to say no. Afterwards I was introduced to his girlfriend, and we were able to catch up for a bit before going our separate ways. They had a long drive home, and since they are all in the military they had to be up early for PT the next day. So overall, it was a pretty incredible night. I said goodbye to my favorite band alongside someone I met at that very first show. In the same city as before. And it was awesome! ✨
As the show started I started jumping up, and down. Swaying from one side to the other in the opposite direction as the lady in front of me. I even switched spots with my brother, and then switched back because it put me farther away from the band and I was not about to have that. After bumping into this lady for what seemed like the hundredth time while trying to get some pictures I noticed that there was a kid standing next to me who was a lot taller than me, and had a clear view of the singer. So, I nudged him with my elbow, and asked if he could take a few pictures for me. He nodded in agreement so I handed him my camera, and he started clicking away. Throughout the show we exchanged some words, and he took some video for me. Then he asked if I wanted to stand in front of him since I was having a hard time seeing. Afterwards we exchanged some contact information, talked briefly out in the parking lot, and a few days later he was added to my messenger list. And we’ve kept in touch ever since. He was actually the first person to let me know that one of our favorite bands was calling it quits. When I decided to put in some overtime in order to buy my ticket I asked if he was planning on attending any of the shows. He said he would be coming to the Dallas show just like he had before. We discussed meeting up either before or after the show, but left it at that.
Of course, once the day came, it was just one set back after another for me. After I made it inside I sent a message letting him know that I’d catch up with them afterwards. I grabbed my beer, and started making my way off to the side. Then, a group of people shifted backwards so I took that opportunity to move forward. Unfortunately, just like at the first show, I again found myself stuck behind two tall people. As I looked around them I noticed that there was a girl standing in front, and directly to the side of her was a nice open spot. I tapped her on the shoulder and asked if I could stand in that area. She nodded, and leaned in saying “Sure, go ahead!” And you guys, it was such a sweet spot! I had a clear view of the whole band so I started taking a few pictures, and I remember thinking to myself that this night was already so spectacular when I heard my name being called out. At first I thought I had misheard what was being said, but as I looked over there was my friend standing one person over.
You guys! It was such a cool moment! From earlier conversations I thought they were at the very front. So, I was so not expecting to see them until afterwards. It was such a surreal, crazy, full circle moment! He said “C’mon, bring it in!” and gave me a hug. We talked for a few moments, and then he asked if I wanted him to take some pictures. So, I fully took advantage of the fact that he’s still a good 4-5 inches taller than me. When a couple of people, who were really drunk kept pushing into me he asked if I wanted to stand in front of them instead. And again, I wasn’t going to say no. Afterwards I was introduced to his girlfriend, and we were able to catch up for a bit before going our separate ways. They had a long drive home, and since they are all in the military they had to be up early for PT the next day. So overall, it was a pretty incredible night. I said goodbye to my favorite band alongside someone I met at that very first show. In the same city as before. And it was awesome! ✨
No comments:
Post a Comment