Let me explain that I've had fun, done fun things. I've always dreamed of bigger more fun, exciting things.
When I was a girl in Illinois and Happy Days was so popular... I had a crush on Potsie... they were doing publicity jaunts at malls. Of course, Ralph Mouth came to our mall. I had mom take me... hoping that he would shake my hand or who knows what I truly expected at that age, something magical I suppose. He passed by the crowd of screaming girls and I seem to recall him brushing my hand, honestly I don't even know if that actually happened.
For years life was like that. The magical evenings that all teenage girls look forward to: first dates, homecoming, prom... the cutest date I ever had was a winter dance. But, no magic... fun yes but not magical.
I always kept my heads in the romantic clouds, hoping one day something dreamy would happen.
A couple years ago BonJovi came to a city near by... but we didn't go, I justified it by saying, well it is the winter and we always get ice during those months and it would be so disappointing to have the tickets and not get to go. Then finally in the city next to ours they built a new arena with promises of big names coming to town. I looked at my family and said, If Bon Jovi comes I so want to be there... (or something to that affect).
The announcement was made, the tickets went on sale... it looked as if it just wasn't going to happen. My spouse made promises... of tickets, 3 he said he had... the week before the concert he came home with 2... still I remained calm, trying not to think too much about the possibility of actually being in the same space as Jon Bon Jovi and breathing the same AIR as he would be...
The day of the concert came and hours before I allowed my excitement to come to the surface. I started saying outloud I am going to see Bon Jovi... (okay I went a bit nuts on facebook with it, but afterall it was BON JOVI) got dressed wore my favorite shoes, that make me taller and of course seem thinner. Certainly I wanted to present myself in the best possible condition you know just incase I was close enough for Jon himself to see me....
We got to the concert parking wasn't difficult as long as you were willing to pay anything from $20-$40... we got good parking for a minimal charge.
We got inside the arena, waited in line at the merchandise table.... and then stopped for refreshments, diet coke and ham sandwich for me.... on to the seats...
............wait let me rewind. I love to watch people, I am sure someone is watching me and scratching their head wondering "what was she thinking" on more than one occasion...... so let me say as an avid people watcher, one who finds pleasure in it, that I am not attempting to be mean spirited when I say "I have NO idea what most of those women were thinking". They were dressed in leather pants, dresses that looked as if they just stepped out of a set of MTV you know when MTV still showed videos and music; short, tall, thin, thick--mostly short and thick. Heels, flipflops, tennis shoes, orthopedics, slippers-okay maybe I didn't see slippers but there were over 16,000 people there (I heard) and I can tell you by the way some of those women were dressed someone had slippers on!
We stood in line for 45 minutes at the merchandise table and then suddenly someone posted a sign on us that said, "they are suckers you can cut infront of them".... seriously about 2 people infront of us they started cutting.... my husband was being oh so coi about it and saying outloud 'I know they aren't cutting!' I tapped the young girl on the shoulder and nicely said, hon we are next. And she was sweet about it while the adults that were infront of her were pushy and just rude enough to stay put and continue to tell the poor sales lady what they wanted. But it was okay we got our stuff we went on...
ONTO the seats-We walk in find out section 119, walk down the aisle to row E...X, W, U, V all way to K... finally I counted backwards, hubby walked down, we walked back up, the usher walked down, the usher walked up, she said your seats are covered with equipment (blah,blah,blah) she was so nice, "You'll have to go to the box office and tell them and they will tell you where you will sit" So, I waited with the usher, mainly because I was wearing my favorite shoes that until that time were the most comfortable shoes I owned, even more than my Pumas... but I made the mistake of putting too much lotion on my feet, and then my feet got sweaty and slipped around alot and were KILLING ME... so I waited. And I have to tell you I waited patiently. No, really I did. I stood there and I looked to God and I said, "Well, God let's just see what YOU are going to do for me (should've said us but it was Bon Jovi)... I know you have something better for us." Hubby showed up about the time the opening act was half way through... he walked down the aisle, and up the aisle and then motioned for me. By then I had decided to kick off the great shoes to get down the aisle.
We walked down and BAM! Yes, BAM! front row, not floor but front row, my seat was directly across from the stage edge, side that Richie would be standing on.... oh my good gracious, sakes alive! God is so GOOD!
We could watch them tune up guitars, and get ready for what was next whether it be BonJovi coming out, or making small changes to the stage....
The time had come and the lights went out, truly this was going to be a magical night (for me atleast). They came out, they were so close (and yet so far).... but closer than further. I was on my feet, screaming like a teen, jumping up and down, waving my hands in the air.... the whole rock concert thing--well I did keep my shirt on and no panties on the stage, after all I am an adult now.
Jon began walking around the stage.... oh my here he was coming to my side, oh my closer, finally closer to the edge....less than 10 yards way, I'd say about 5 yds away.... OH MY he was looking at me! No seriously he was! I wanted to turn around and look to see who he was looking at but I was afraid if I looked away he'd be gone.... it was quite the moment, one that I live in my head over and over.... one that everytime I hear a BonJovi song I can't help but have a big ol' smile on my face. I was trying to snap off pics on my iPhone (they wouldn't let me bring my camera in..ugh)... but I was so enraptured by the Jon-ness of the situation that it didn't matter....
Let me just say he is as charming as he appears, as beautiful as he seems and that smile, hair, face, skin, chest.... well it is all so very real!!!
*deep sigh, and big smile*
It was worth giving up the magical nights of prom, homecoming, first dates and yes even not seeing Potsie to wait for it at this time in my life and to share it with BonJovi.... forever in my mind....in my heart....no matter what you think I know that God had His hand in this magical night.... because He is a good God and He loves me so much!!
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