On Tuesday I flew back from New York, a day earlier than expected. I flew back because Wednesday, January 25th I was going to see my favorite band Relient K in concert at the Grove of Anaheim for the Looking For America tour with Switchfoot. Now growing up in a strict Christian home I was only allowed to listen to certain things and watch certain things. Listening to anything that was not Christian was not acceptable in my house. So telling my parents when I was nine years old that I loved listening to this alternative band that was semi Christian was not okay with my parents. I fell in love with the music and wanted to see them in concert so bad, but knew it was almost impossible. I made them buy the new album Five Score and Seven Years, I begged for a week and they finally caved. I played the CD on repeat everywhere I went. After about a week they regretted letting me get it. When end they were coming to Anaheim, not even 10 minutes from where I lived, I told my parents I had to go, there was no question about it. My friend Amber and I were dying to go, the only thing was that it was on my parents sixteenth wedding anniversary. After a month of begging and pleading they decided to let us go, but they were going with us. I didn't decline, I was finally going to see my favorite band. The night of the show the four of us went to eat at this Chinese Buffet place and made it to the show for the doors to open. I honestly don't remember much of the show now with it being so many years later, but I remember how I felt. I was laughing, crying, and singing my lungs out. I felt so alive and I knew that I wasn't alone. I was in a room with hundreds of other people who loved the music as much as I did or even more. I was amazed that all the songs I grew to love, that made me feel alive were all being played. I always said I would marry Matthew Thiessen, the lead singer, but I wasn't just fond of his crazy hair or pretty face. I was attracted to everything about him. I know many would say "but how, you don't even know him?" but oh do I. Through his music I felt I was finding th real him, the him that had something to say. The real him the his shyness wouldn't let him be. I felt like I understood what he was trying to say, who he really was, and I was connected to him. After that, I saw them in concert at Biola University that my friend told me about. I took my two best friends with me. They are metal heads and totally not into them, but they went with me, being the good friends they were. While waiting for the show, there was this girl that was walking around with VIP meet and greet passes, and I had no idea that was available. I asked her how to get one, and she said they had to be reserved ahead of time. I freaked out, but asked her if there was anyway possible to get one I would DO ANYTHING FOR IT! Not less than 20 minutes later she came to me and said she had an extra one, and I almost cried. My friends told me to go meet them and that they would wait for me inside. This was the chance of a lifetime. While I waited in the line to meet the band I was shocked, finally meeting the band that had made the music that got me through some of the hardest times in my life. I was about to cry. When it was my turn, I walked up slowly, smiling and before I could do anything Matthew Thiessen walked up and said "Hi, I'm Matt, what's your name?" I shook his hand and didn't want to let go. I told him my name was Regina and that I was so glad to finally meet them. I said I had been a fan for years and that I was excited to be there. I then asked for them to sign my arms, and they all got excited and did. Next I asked for a picture, and they all smiled and we got together for the picture that I still treasure to this day. It was blurry, but it was there. I finally got to take a picture with them, I almost died. After that I found my friends, showed them the picture and we got ready for another epic concert. I saw friends from high school, church, and other Biola students I knew. It was truly magical. Later that summer I was supposed to see them in concert at during the House of Blues in Anaheim, but I was going to have to go by myself since no one else was able to go with me and my parents wouldn't let that happen. I cried all day. My two best friends then came to me saying that they had tickets to the Angel's game that night and ticket to the field for a mini concert from the Goo Goo Dolls. That was the first time I was allowed to drive people in my new little bug, we felt so excited to have this freedom. That was a night to remember. In 2014 Relient K was going on tour hitting House of Blues again, and this time I knew I had to go. I had tickets for one show, but was planning on meeting up with some friends there. Then on my birthday my two best friend surprised me with tickets for the show in November, and it couldn't come soon enough. The night of the show we drove out, got all dressed up, and now my friends were more familiar with the music. We went in and had an amazing time, I was singing louder than I had ever done and I was completely lost in the music. The show felt like it was only ten minutes, but I was in the moment, I was so in awe at how my love for this band just continued to grow and it wasn't fading. After the show, we waited for them to come out almost an hour after it was over. We hung out with some other fans by the tour bus, and even ran into Jack Barakat of All Time Low. He was pretty cool too. When we saw Matthew finally walk out to the bus, he looked and smiled saying "what are you guys still doing here? Have you been waiting this whole time?" A few people talked, and he interrupted saying "can I get something from the bus real quick then I'll come out and talk to you guys?" Everyone said yes and within minutes he was back out saying hi to people and taking pictures. When I was finally able to walk up and say hi, I said "I have been a fan for years and it's so cool to see you again, you may not remember but we saw you at Biola a few years back" He smiled and said "oh yeah, of course I remember, how are you?" (I know he didn't remember, but it was sweet). I said "can I get a picture with you real quick?" he said yes. As he put his arm around me, he whispered in my ear "you smell really good" and I lit up. The biggest smile on my face and I was done. I finally had a moment of connection with him. Others came to take pictures with him, I smiled, said goodbye, he waved. As I walked away I began to cry and my friends were so happy for me. I was finally content with knowing that I was able to show some sense of gratitude to the man who wrote the songs that brought me so much joy and that now held so many memories. His music wasn't just something I listened to, it was now apart of who I was. This time, on Wednesday January 25th 2017 marked the ten year anniversary from the time where I first saw them, in the same place, with my parents. I was emotional, but this was more of a nostalgia feel than anything. The show was amazing, just like the others, but this time something was different. It was almost as if as I had grown, their music grew too. The changes came and went, but it was still them. I was happy again, all those old feelings kept coming back, but this time It was different. I had a great time but knowing all that has gone on over the past ten years made me a little sad. It was sad to think of the people I had lost, the friendships broken, the times I'll never get back. I was happy though seeing who I was then, and who I have become. Through all the changes, the music, this band was something I was still able to hold onto. They were something that was consistent in my life, they were apart of me. I found my ticket from the first time I went to see them, I reminded of when I was also able to meet Jon Schneck (who is no longer with the band) and asking him to sign it. I almost cried then cause it wasn't Matt, but it was fun.
Ten years has come and gone, but the memories will live on. I am thankful for the music, and for all the challenges life has brought, its been a rollercoaster, but It's been the best kind.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorReggie is a college gradute with a degree in English. She loves traveling and hopes to one day stay on the battle field for missions. Life is a book and everyday is an adventure, follow her on this journey and see the world through her eyes. Archives
November 2017
Categories |