As I sit back and reflect on my 2012, I realize that I had another great year even though it was vastly different than my 2011. 2011 had been filled with quantity, while this year seemed to be all about quality. Because I did so many events in 2011, my Top 11 of 2011 contained specific happenings within my events. However, my Top 12 of 2012 tends to contain events as a whole because there weren't as many of them as 2011 and because the events I did go to brought quality interactions as a whole.
Danny Wood tweets me a "thank you" with a photo he
found and cropped himself
12. Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure - In 2011, I had attended six NKOTBSB concerts and at each one I became more and more inspired by Danny Wood and his commitment to fighting breast cancer in memory of his mother, Betty Wood. With my grandmother being a breast cancer survivor, I decided that it was my turn to join in the fight. So, I began a Team Betty for the 2012 Chicago 3-Day and started my fundraising and training. $4,120, 60 miles, and one congratulatory tweet from Danny Wood himself later, I could not have been more proud of my accomplishments.
My Backstreet girls in the
nation's capital
11. Backstreet goes to Washington - What is the next best thing if you can't have the Backstreet Boys? Having a fun filled weekend with all your Backstreet friends, of course! After the 2011 Cruise, us Backstreet fans had no idea what was in store for our 2012. We knew NKOTBSB would be doing a European tour and that chances were there would be no cruise in 2012. How could we go an entire year without seeing the Backstreet Boys, and in turn, not seeing our Backstreet friends? We fixed that quickly with a Backstreet reunion in Washington, D.C. in June. It was great seeing all of the girls again as we had Backstreet dance lessons in front of the White House, designed Backstreet superheroes (Nick was a ninja!), privately did Backstreet karaoke, ate tons of Mexican food (because DC is where you go to eat Mexican apparently), talked non-stop about Brian's sparkly blue eyes, and recounted all of our favorite 2011 cruise memories (mostly how the blue team played #betterly than the yellow). At the time, I thought it would be my the only time seeing the girls this year...however, the Backstreet Boys came through in the end with a group of concerts on the east coast.
Aaron Carter and the "blue monkey
head"
10. A "Fantastick" Day in NYC - When the Backstreet Boys announced a few shows on the east coast at the end of December, my Backstreet friends and I were so happy to be able to see one another again. Many of them had the opportunity with MixTape and Good Morning America to see the Backstreet Boys and each other...I was not so lucky. The two of us that were actually flying in for the shows decided to extend our trip at the beginning, giving us the opportunity to spend the day in New York City. In Madame Tussaud's wax museum we showed the shapes of our heart to the large BSB mural on the wall and told 'N Sync how we really felt about them. We then later spent the evening in a vicious cycle of laughter with the cast of "The Fantasticks," including Backstreet brother, Aaron Carter.
9. BSB Tweets - Sometimes it really is the smaller things in life that can make a person so happy. Sometimes all it takes is something as short as a three word tweet or a message to thousands a fans displaying a video you recorded at a concert to make you jump out of your bed, run into the living room, and do a major happy dance in front of your husband. 2012 marked my first tweets from a Backstreet Boy (two from Nick and two from Brian). While my Nick tweets did not mention me specifically, he was sharing my videos I had taken at his February show in Chicago. This led to a huge jump in views for these particular videos, as well as a growing number of subscribers to my YouTube account.
Brian's tweets, however, were directed at me...with one of them incorparating my other favorite thing, the Wildcats!
Doron Lamb (Milwaukee Bucks) and Marquis Teague
(Chicago Bulls)
8. Meeting former Wildcats turned pro - I received an early birthday present this year when I got to meet two University of Kentucky Wildcat basketball players that were on the 2012 Championship team when they sat at a table next to me at a restaurant in Lexington. While I find that the UK Baseball players I have met are MUCH more personable than these two were (maybe because they have been drafted into the NBA), I was still greatful that they agreed to take a photo with me. For some reason I think of the student athletes at the University of Kentucky as celebrities even though they are just students who happen to play a sport there. Maybe its because I treat University of Kentucky as others would treat a professional team....or maybe its because these college athletes may eventually go on to become professional athletes (much like these two).
Corey Littrell...yes, you read the
last name right
7. UK Baseball Regionals - I think all of my readers knew that I was a UK basketball and football fan, but they probably don't know how my love for the University of Kentucky baseball team (Bat Cats) has grown this year. 2012 marked the year that I FINALLY got to see the Bat Cats play in person thanks to the fact that they played their NCAA Regional tournament just a short 45 minutes from my town, rather than the 6 hours it would take me to travel to Lexington to see them play. Here I got to meet my favorite Bat Cat, as well as his family, and witness the longest baseball game I have ever seen...a marathon 21 inning game. This wonderful experience also led to a later baseball adventure in New York.
Michael Williams (#35, Hudson Valley Renegades),
Tim Peterson (#22, Brooklyn Cyclones), and Luke
Maile (#21, Hudson Valley Renegades)
6. New York Baseball Bonanza - After the amazing time I had at the NCAA Baseball Regionals, I decided that I wanted to try to go see some of the newly drafted Wildcats on their new minor league teams. It just so happened that two of the players that were drafted onto the same team were playing the team that a sorority sister works for. So, I made my way to the state of New York to attend not one, not two, not three....but FOUR minor league baseball games and meet three former Bat Cats.
Nick Carter and I
5. "I'm Taking Off" with Nick Carter - 2012 marked my first Nick Carter solo concert in February. It also just so happens that I bought a VIP for this show, allowing me to get my first solo photo with Nick. This is also the concert that led to number 9 on this Top 12 list. The concert was so amazing that I wanted to just drive onto the next stop on the tour.
Brow down, goggles up...we
brought 8 back to Rupp!
4. NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four - The University of Kentucky men's basketball team dominated in 2012 so it was no surprise when they made it to the Final Four in New Orleans...and how convenient was it that it was during my Spring Break for work? As the dominant team all season, chances of them winning the championship were very high so I felt that if I was ever going to be able to witness a championship in person, this would be the year. As streamers and confetti rained down upon the Wildcats after they won their 8th National Championship, I couldn't have been more excited to be there to witness this very special team win a special game.
My four favorite guys and three of my favorite girls (sad face
for my other favorite girlies not being in the photo)
3. BSB in Atlantic City - While BSB had several special events in 2012, I was not able to attend any of them. Imagine how happy I was when the Backstreet Boys announced several shows that they would be doing at the end of December on the east coast....especially since it had been over a year since I had last seen them as a group during the 2011 cruise and some very good friends just happened to live right in the middle of all of the excitement. The Silver VIP that my friends and I bought allowed me to see Brian after a very special and important conversation that we had back in September. The concert allowed the Boys to do a combination of older and newer songs, as well as allowed each member a solo song. It was similar to the 2011 cruise concert but included enough differences to make it a unique show. Besides, it allowed another year to see the Backstreet Boys. I also tried my first ever after party, where I was lucky enough to get a photo with Howie.
Bringing in the new year with great
friends
2. New Year's Eve with the Backstreet Boys - I had trouble deciding if this would go under 2012 or 2013 since this particular show started in 2012 and ended in 2013. Why can't it be a part of both my Top 12 of 2012 and Top 13 of 2013??? My friends and I dominated the soundcheck with the Bronze VIPs that we decided to buy at the last minute by having two of our requested songs sung and two of our questions answered. Anyway, this concert was very special and nothing like I have done before since I actually got to bring in the new year with not only some of my best friends, but the music group that means the world to me. The Backstreet Boys helped the audience bring in the new year by pausing their concert for a countdown, balloon drop, and their own special rendition of "Auld Lang Syne." By bringing in the new year with BSB, I fully expect 2013 to be the best one yet.
A birthday dream come true with Brian
and Leighanne
1. Wylee Party in Roswell - There were so many things that made this event amazing and number one on my list. First, it was on my birthday. Who wouldn't want to spend their birthday with Brian and Leighanne Littrell???? Most of all, I had the most amazing conversation with Brian that lasted a good 45 minutes....and not just any superficial conversation, but a real heart to heart where he gave me advice and shared his own personal stories that I had never heard before (if you haven't heard the story you need to click on the link and read it NOW!). Most importantly, I finally got to thank him for influencing me to make the best decision one can make....becoming a Christian. As I am typing this I am getting goose bumps just thinking about that weekend and what that day meant to me.
As I read back over this list, I also realize one thing.....I have a lot of blogging to catch up on! I am so behind.......
And as will become tradition, my collage of meeting "celebrities" in 2012 (in quotes because of the UK athletes pictured) in collage format...
My total approximate mileage travelled in 2012 was 9,433 miles to 14 cities and 9 states....overall a pretty good year I say!
*Title Credit - "Shape of My Heart" - Black and Blue - Backstreet Boys*
Call off the search party, I'm alive! First, I would like to apologize for not writing in MONTHS! This year has been full of work, big life changing decisions, and lots of travel. I know I still have to finish my 2011 cruise review and do my reviews on the UK baseball regionals, UK basketball championships, my cruise reunion in Washington D.C., and a trip I took to New York to see some former UK baseball players play. However, with my first post back, I just couldn't go without writing about my birthday weekend last month. It was a weekend full of my favorite things and favorite people, a weekend that will forever stay with me in my dreams.
September 15th was my birthday. I had been super excited when it was announced that there would be a University of Kentucky Alumni Charity basketball game on September 15th, which would bring back former Wildcats who are currently playing in the NBA. Well, any University of Kentucky athletic event is to my sports world as the Backstreet Boys are to my music world. To make things even better, there was also a UK football game that day AND my husband was actually willing to go with me for once. I was totally ready for a day full of Wildcats!
And then something happened that completely changed my course of action...Leighanne announced that there would be a Wylee Party on Saturday, September 15th in Roswell, Georgia. Now I was completely torn. Lexington, Kentucky was only 6.5 hours from me and would entail an entire day of festivities. Roswell, Georgia would be at least a 12 hour drive and the Wylee Party would only be five hours. To some this would seem like an easy choice, but I was presented with two options and I had to make a choice. No matter which I chose, I knew I would have a great time. I discussed my options with my husband and my friends and took suggestions. I guess my husband really knows me best when he told me, "Go spend your birthday with Brian." He was right. There would always be another UK game but spending my birthday with Brian would be something that I had only dreamed of ever happening. Little did I know that even afterwards, it would seem like a dream. So I made my decision. I was going to drive down to Roswell, Georgia for my birthday.
Then some news was announced that I thought would once again change my plans. Just a few days before I was supposed to take my trip, it was announced that the Backstreet Boys would be performing in New York at an event for Old Navy on Friday, September 14th.....yes, the day before Brian was scheduled to be in Georgia for the Wylee Party. Since the Old Navy Event seemed to be so last minute, I was worried that Brian would not be able to be at the Wylee Party. Don't get me wrong, I love Leighanne and I've bought my fair share of Wylee products. However, I would really have to think about making that long of a drive without Brian being there. Luckily, there were still tickets left for the UK Basketball Alumni game if need be. There had been no word one way or the other as far as whether or not Brian would be at the Wylee event. So I decided to send out a little tweet to Brian, Leighanne, and Wylee to see if I could get some kind of confirmation one way or the other. Anyone who has tweeted Brian or Leighanne know that it can be a bit difficult to get a response back. Apparently, my birthday was going to start two days early because I received my second ever tweet from Brian Littrell...
Let's just pretend that it is my birthday that he wouldn't miss for the world...
Alright, so I was going to be heading down to Georgia after all. My plan was to drive to Louisville on Thursday night and stay with a friend so that I'd only have an 8+ hour trip, rather than 12+ hours. However, a baseball team that I had been following all summer had made it to the playoffs and were playing the championship game on Thursday. I had started listening to and following the Hudson Valley Renegades (Class A Short Season Affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays in the New York-Penn League) as soon as I had discovered that one of my favorite UK Baseball players, Michael Williams had been placed on the team after he had been drafted to the Tampa Bay Rays. It was also very convenient that another UK Baseball player, Luke Maile, had also been placed on the team. I had actually taken a trip to New York just two weeks prior to see the two play, but that will hopefully be another blog entry at another time. Anyway, the Renegades had tied a best of three series up with the Tri-City ValleyCats and were going to be playing the Championship deciding game on that Thursday. If I drove down to Louisville that night, I was going to miss it. I made the decision to stay at home and listen to the game (yes, listen since it is only minor league baseball and not on TV). The Renegades ended up winning the New York-Penn League Championship that night! Two of my Bat Cats (UK Baseball players) were Champions and this would be considered early birthday present number two!
2012 New York-Penn League Champions - Hudson Valley Renegades
And I bet your wondering where this talk of UK Baseball all of a sudden came from? Don't worry there will eventually be a blog post about that too!
So, Friday rolls around and I am on very little sleep. I never get any sleep the night before I leave for a trip because I'm up late getting everything packed and prepared. It's the one aspect in my life that I never finish early and I have no idea why. In order to pack for Georgia, I still needed to unpack from New York two weeks prior since the vacation fairy had failed her job miserably and hadn't done it for me. Even though I was on little sleep, I knew the adrenaline of the trip would keep me awake. The fastest way to get to Georgia from the Chicago area is to head straight down to Nashville and then over to Atlanta. However, I was heading south. Lexington is south. I love Lexington. Do you see where I'm going with this? By cutting over to Lexington and then heading south, I was only going to add thirty minutes to the drive. The feelings of pure joy I get when I am in Lexington was going to make that extra time well worth it. I had been getting some suggestions of places to eat in Lexington that I wanted to try. Additionally, I thought it was very convenient that Lexington is pretty much the exact half way point between here and Roswell (6.5 hours for each leg).
Michigan City, IN -> Lexington, IN -> Roswell, GA - Approx. 733 miles
As I crossed the bridge over the Ohio River and into Kentucky, I immediately felt a sense of peace. It's the feeling I always get when I travel to or through the state. I just feel so at home there and there is a calmness that passes over me as I see that "Welcome To Kentucky: Unbridled Spirit" sign. I said so long to Indiana and hello to the place that I most want to live. I said goodbye to the miles and miles and miles of this....
This is the only cool part of Indiana, our wind turbines amongst the corn fields.
And said hello to this...
The hills of Kentucky between Louisville and Lexington
If only it had been slightly later in the fall so that the leaves would have begun to change....then the drive is even more beautiful and breathtaking.
I finally got to Lexington at about 4:30 or so. It was an odd time since it was too late for lunch and too early for dinner really. However, I had planned it so that I would be hungry at that time. I stopped at a recommended hamburger joint just off of campus called Tolly-Ho's. I ordered my burger and was just getting ready to leave when early birthday present number three walked in the door (although it took me awhile to figure this out).
I saw a young guy walk in wearing a Milwaukee Basketball shirt. I thought it was funny since one of the UK Basketball players, Doron Lamb, from the 2012 Championship team had been drafted to the Bucks. Then I noticed that he kind of looked like Lamb. He walked away to the bathroom (I'm assuming) while the two people he was with ordered and sat at the table caddy corner from me. It was then that I realized that one of the other guys looked like Marquis Teague, who was also on the 2012 Championship team and had been drafted to the Chicago Bulls (and was from Indiana). I started to get pretty excited but wanted to make 100% sure it was them before I went up and made a fool of myself. I always have a problem recognizing athletes when they aren't in their jerseys...you're just used to seeing them that way. Luckily, Tolly-Ho's calls out your name when your order is done. Then there it was.... "Marquis"....."Lamb." I started to do some major fangirling. These were like the Backstreet Boys of my sports world. Not only did I have two University of Kentucky basketball players sitting next to me, but two UK players that played for the 2012 NCAA Championship Team.....AND were now professional basketball players. They were in town for the UK Basketball Alumni Charity Game (remember that was supposed to be happening the next day). It took me a few minutes to work up the nerve to go ask them for a photo. When I did, they had already started eating. Remember, I had already finished eating when they had walked in or else I would have waited to bother them until they were done. The friend they were with (I later found out his name was Dion) asked if I could wait until they were done eating and I willingly obliged. Thank goodness the restaurant had wi-fi so I could fangirl on Twitter and Facebook for the thirty minutes I had to wait while they sat there in silence, not saying a word to one another, and on their phones. Finally, they started to get up and Marquis gave me a little nod to let me know they were ready. I told them what a big fan I was and how I had been there in New Orleans to watch them win the championship (again, another blog entry eventually). I don't think they said a single word to me. I got between them and they of course towered over me. I'm glad I got my photo but their social skills need some working on. Maybe its because I'm spoiled by the four Bat Cats that I've met, chatted with, and had photos with (three of whom are now pro in the minor leagues). The photo could have been better in so many more ways but I will gladly accept it since it was a totally unexpected part of my trip. Just think, if the Renegades would not have been in the Championship game, I would not have been at Tolly-Ho's at that exact moment to get that experience. Everything does happen for a reason.
Doron Lamb, Me, and Marquis Teague - Former University of Kentucky Wildcats (basketball)
I was walking out of the building at the same time, thanked them, and wished them a good weekend. What happened next was just weird. As I got into my car, which they had parked right next to, Dion (the friend) asked if I was from there and if I wanted to hang out with them. I explained that I was just driving through and was headed to Georgia (but really I was thinking that there was no way I was going to put myself in a sticky situation)!
I was sad to leave Lexington, even though I knew I was headed to see Brian that next day. I'm just always so happy when I am there. Because of my stop in Lexington and other pit stops along the way, my total trip to Roswell took about fifteen hours, although I did have a little motivation along the way from one of Leighanne's good friends, Jodi...
Thanks to my friend Jessica, Leighanne had been informed that I was coming a bit of a distance and I got my first tweet from Leighanne, thanking me.
It feels really good to be appreciated for my dedication
I was still too pumped from everything that had happened to me thus far to really get any sleep. It was officially my birthday by this point and I was going to get to spend the day with Brian and Leighanne Littrell. I knew the next day would go by incredibly slow as I waited for 2pm to roll around. Luckily, I had an old high school friend that lived in Roswell to go to lunch with and get my mind off of the waiting.
I showed up to the Teal Gallery about 15 minutes early and there was only one person waiting outside at the time. It made me wonder how many people were actually going to be at this Wylee party. I looked in the window and Leighanne happened to be standing right there setting things up. We waved at one another and I took a seat outside to wait for the party to start. More girls started to show up as it got closer and closer to 2 o'clock. At one point Brian came out to make a quick trip to the Wylee trailor that was parked outside. He apologized that it would only be a few more moments...imagine that, the event was not going to start on time. Don't we all know and love Backstreet time? Brian then poked his head outside again to take a photo of the group that was so patiently waiting to get inside and tweeted the photo.
That's me in the "Birthday Girl" sash
He tweeted the photo at 2:09 and I would say that we still waited another 10 minutes or so before they finally let us into the building. I would say that there were probably 20-25 people in line to get in as Brian took some video.
Video courtesy of SimplyLeighanne
I knew exactly what I wanted but I decided to look around anyway. As I looked around Jodi and pretty much all of Leighanne's family wished me a happy birthday and thanked me for making the long trip. I knew that she would have some new stuff that wasn't on her website yet. There was and I, of course, wanted it. However, I'm not made of money and knew that there was one item that I wanted more than anything else there...the Brian Cross Necklace.
I didn't see any as I looked around and had to ask Leighanne if she happened to have any with her. She gladly helped me as I became the first customer of the day. As she was checking over the necklace to make sure that it had not been damaged at all, Baylee and Prue (Jodi's daughter), came up to Leighanne to let her know that they were leaving (they were going somewhere with a family member, I'm pretty sure it was Leighanne's step dad). Leighanne asked if Baylee had visited any of the customers and told him that it was my birthday. Both Baylee and Prue told me happy birthday. Baylee then told Leighanne that I should get the special birthday discount. The boy is just too adorable and so much like his father. I would say that I was done with my purchases by 2:45 but there was no way I was going to leave that party until it was over. Brian, Leighanne, Jodi, and all of Leighanne's family (mother and sisters) were busy selling away as the crowd grew bigger. I would say at one time there were maybe 50-60 people there at one time, since people were constantly coming and going.
At about 3:00, Brian said that he would be taking photos in 20 minutes. I found some very nice fellow Backstreet fans to talk to as we waited. An hour later, Brian finally started the picture taking. He was running on Backstreet time once again but I really didn't care. I was having a good time with everyone as I waited. I got into line and started chatting with some new girls around me. At one point, Leighanne was standing next to me so I got my photo with her...
Leighanne Littrell....looking gorgeous as always
It was at about this point that Brian announced that he would really appreciate it if everyone only got one photo so that those people that were in the back of the line would get a chance to get their photos. Apparently, a lot of girls were asking for a serious photo and a funny photo. When he had started the line, I was pretty much the end of it. By the time that I got closer, there were 15-20 people still behind me. As I had waited in line, I new exactly what I wanted my pose to be. The girls in front of me said that they would be happy to take my photo for me. When I finally got up to Brian, I asked him, "Since it's my birthday, do you think that I could get a kiss on the cheek for my photo?" That was when he leaned in very close and whispered into my ear, "Now if I do that for you all of these girls are going to want that," and it just so happened that the girl with my camera just happened to get a photo of it.
He asked me if huggie pose was okay instead. Ummmm, what girl would ever refuse being in Brian's arms for a photo??? Not me....Happy Birthday to me!
Before the party, I had been trying to decide if I was going to wear something Wylee to the party or if I was going to wear my University of Kentucky football jersey because Kentucky was going to be playing later that day (and because I wanted to see if he would remember me as "Kentucky Girl" like he called me on the cruise). I eventually had decided to compromise and go with my Wylee No EGO's (Edging God Out) shirt but was wearing my University of Kentucky shoes and earrings. I had brought my jersey with me in case I decided last minute to change my mind. After my photo, I decided that it was time to show my team spirit and threw my jersey on over my shirt. I was now in football mode. In between a set of photos Brian had looked across the room at me and just kind of laughed as he shouted, "You changed!" I had to shout back "Of course, Go Cats!" I'm not going to lie, I had a huge smile on my face because 1) Brian had noticed me specifically in a room full of people and 2) He had remembered what I had on to realize that I wasn't wearing the same thing. Leighanne also got a big kick out of it. She asked me if I was trying to make it look like I was at two separate Wylee parties in my pictures.
It seemed as though once people got their photos, they left. I had kind of been hoping for that so that the crowd would get a little smaller and Brian wouldn't be so busy trying to get around to everyone. I do hope everyone that was there bought something though. If it is one thing I can't stand, it is those fans that go to Wylee parties for the sole purpose of seeing Brian. I have been to five Wylee parties and have bought something at every single one because I love her stuff. The girls I had been talking to stuck around for a little while longer before they decided that they had to get going. Once they left, I just kind of wandered around.
Brian eventually finished his photos and started interacting with those left a little more, rather than going back to selling things. I did have a few conversations with him. We talked about how I had run into Marquis Teague and Doron Lamb on my way down and got to show him my University of Kentucky shoes. He seemed to like those. I had also started a conversation about the UK Baseball team and then he called them the "Bat Cats." It made me smile because only UK fans really know them as that...at least those of us that are more than just fans of their basketball team. Then we started talking about Corey Littrell....a junior left handed pitcher that pitches for the University of Kentucky. Brian actually wasn't familiar with Corey and I had to show him the photo I had of him on my phone. Apparently, Brian did not know of this Littrell (who also happens to be from Kentucky, only Louisville). It seemed to intrigue him.
Corey Littell - Junior - LHP - University of Kentucky
It was also quite funny because as I was looking for the photo, Brian happened to notice my background on my phone, which just happens to be a photo of my favorite poster...
When he saw it, he started cracking up laughing and asked "who is that young good looking guy?" as he struck the same pose as he was in the photo. The whole situation just made me laugh.
Earlier I had overheard him talking about how he had actually flown back into Georgia that morning from New York where he had been with the rest of the guys for the Old Navy event. I asked him about it and he had told me how Kevin, Howie, and he had gone out after the event and time had slipped away from them. Before they knew it, it was 3am. Brian had to be at the airport at 6am so he only got a few hours of sleep. Once he got back into Atlanta, he got home, showered, and then basically started to get ready for the Wylee party. Sometimes I just don't know where he gets his energy! I had noticed that during this conversation that more girls had come in and were just kind of standing there. I told him that since there were some people waiting to get photos with him, I was going to let him talk to them and that I would talk to him later. I wanted to make sure that everyone got a fair shot to talk to him and get their photos with him. I knew that as long as I kept talking, Brian would probably keep listening and I didn't want to hog him. I know I dislike it when other people do that. I moved on and chatted more with Leighanne's family, who couldn't believe I was still there. I told them that I had traveled 15 hours, I wasn't going anywhere!
I was eventually able to catch Brian again and since I had changed shirts and there wasn't a line of fans to talk to him, I decided to ask him for another photo. And in case you were wondering....he did not call me "Kentucky Girl" at all this day.
With about an hour left, there were probably only about 10 fans or so still there. I realized that if I was ever going to tell him the story about how he brought me closer to God, it was probably a good time to do it. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this story, I encourage you to read about it in my You did reach out your hand post. When I had decided that it was finally the appropriate time to tell him, he was having a conversation with what appeared to be a nice couple.
At about 6:30 I saw my chance when he had finished talking with them. I went up to him and told him that I just needed to thank him. He told me you're welcome and we both laughed since I hadn't told him what I needed to thank him for. I told him that I needed to thank him for helping me make what I thought was the most important decision in my life, the decision to become a Christian. It was then that I went into the story about how God had found a way into my heart during his Christmas tour with Rebecca St. James at the Naperville show (he told me that he loved that tour by the way). I told him the whole story with tears in my eyes and rolling down my cheek....something I knew would happen if I ever got to tell him my story because of what it meant to me. He thanked me for telling him that story and that he enjoys hearing stories like that...than he wrapped me into one of his hugs and just held me for a few seconds.
I went on to explain how its been very hard for me for about the last two years since I moved back to Northwest Indiana because I don't have the same support with my faith up here like I did when I lived in Southern Indiana. I told him how I hated being back north even though all of my family (and my husband's family) is there. Then Brian told me something that I think I always knew but could never really put my finger on....he simply said, "Because you've changed." He was absolutely right. He then told me how it was okay because change can be good and that I should just keep changing, there was nothing wrong with it. He explained that now that he was out of Lexington, he was probably never going to live there again even though he loved it growing up...because he had changed.
I couldn't believe it, I was having a heart to heart life lessons conversation with Brian Littrell. And it was only going to get better...
I went on to tell him how I was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder in 2006 and how when I get into my depressive states after my high anxiety states, it is knowing that God is there and his album that usually helps pull me out of them, especially my favorite verse of "Angels and Heroes." He asked me if it gets especially bad for me during the winter. It totally does, especially now that I am back north and the winter suck with the lake effect snow that we get from Lake Michigan. I just couldn't believe how much he just genuinely cared about everything I had to say.
There were two more amazing parts of conversations that occurred while in this conversation. However, I am sorry to say that I just don't feel like I can share them. They were stories that Brian shared with me about his life so I believe that they are his stories to share when he wants to and with whom he wants. I will say that the fact that he shared them with me makes me feel very special because he felt comfortable enough with me to share them and he was sharing aspects of his personal life with me. A Backstreet Boy was sharing a part of his life with a fan (there was actually one other fan with us and one of Leighanne's friends). I'm sure he's shared the stories with others and I am not the only one. If the stories ever come to light in the fandom then I will be more than happy to share them.
The whole conversation from start to end was probably about a good 45 minutes. That was 45 minutes of personal heart to heart conversation, with his strikingly sparkly blue eyes looking me right in the eyes as he focused his attention on me as I was sharing with him some of my stories. The fact that it was my birthday, was just icing on the cake. I'm getting goose bumps now as I even just type this. I have to believe that the conversation actually would have been longer but it was already 15 minutes after the party was supposed to end and they started to kick us out so that they could get out of the there before they were charged extra for going over their time. I said goodbye to Brian, thanked him again, and gave him one last hug. Before I left I had to say goodbye to Jodi and Leighanne as well.
Jodi and me
As I was saying goodbye to Leighanne, I thanked her as well for everything and for having the party because I had finally gotten to tell Brian my story of how I was influence to become a Christian because of him. I wish that she had also been standing there when I had told my story. She thanked me, wished me a happy birthday, and asked if I had gotten some cake (they had finger food, wine, and sweet tea the entire day....at one point when I was talking to Brian I had spilled my glass of ice all over right in front of him...only me). I ensured her that I had and realized that I have a lot of photos with Brian and a lot of photos with Leighanne, but none with the both of them together. So I asked for one more quick photograph as they were ushering us out...
Brian, me, and Leighanne
Once I got into my car, all I did was sit there for about 15 minutes and took a deep breath. I couldn't believe what had just happened to me. Even that 45 minutes would have made the 15 hour drive all worth it. I probably could have sat in that car for hours just thinking about what had just happened...but I had a Kentucky football game to watch at my friend's house and I had already missed the first 30 minutes of it, except that once I got to the friend's house, he told me that he was recording it for me. Kentucky lost, imagine that. They may know basketball but they do not "know their way around the pigskin," as Brian had mentioned earlier that evening.
Once the game was done, I went back to my hotel room but there was NO way I was going to be able to sleep. My computer at the time was broken or else I would have actually typed this whole thing up that night instead of now, one month later thanks to all the studying I have been doing for my Graduate Record Exams. At about 3am, I started to not feel too great. The next morning when I was supposed to drive back home, I was flat out sick. There was going to be no way that I was going to be able to drive home. So, I got the hotel for one more night and spent Sunday sick as a dog in Roswell, Georgia. I was just thankful that whatever it was (I'm pretty sure it was because of my dinner from the night before) hadn't hit me the previous day. I woke up Monday much better, although tired and weak and drove home in some pretty crappy weather, stopping once again in Lexington, this time to have a Hot Brown at Ramsey's.
So, there you have it....what is the the best birthday I have EVER had and a birthday that pretty much started two days before my actual birthday.
This week was my birthday week and I had plenty of Backstreet related things going on...plus some not so Backstreet related things that were still fun. My birthday was actually on Thursday, September 15 but I had a whole week of birthday fun.
I actually got my birthday gift the week before my birthday. The first part of my gift was a University of Kentucky basketball jersey. I have been wanting one for several years but I just never had the money and I didn't know what number I should get. Here is what I ended up getting.
At this time, the number 3 jersey belongs to Terrance Jones, a sophomore forward from Portland, Oregon. Is Jones my favorite UK player, not really. But, if you read my blog this jersey may look a little familiar to you...
Yes, this is the jersey that Brian wore during the NKOTBSB show in Louisville that I attended. Like I said, I have been wanting to get a UK b-ball jersey for years so Brian just helped me to determine which one to get.
My next gift, however, is probably my favorite. Now, I do not consider myself a shoe person but when I saw these, I just had to have them...
I love, love, love, love these shoes. I have gotten several compliments on them as well. I usually only wear them when I am wearing my UK gear. Don't want to wear them out too quickly.
On Tuesday, I booked my flight for the Backstreet Boys Cruise 2011. My plan right now is to fly into Ft. Lauderdale the morning before the cruise. I will then take some type of transportation from Ft. Lauderdale to Miami. It was cheaper to fly into Ft. Lauderdale and I am taking Southwest, which does not charge baggage fees and does not fly into Miami. So even though I have the expense of the transportation from Ft. Lauderdale to Miami, it is still cheaper in the end. Once I find out any information about the event they are supposed to be having the day before, I may decide to change my flight plans and fly in a day earlier. We'll just have to wait and see though I guess.
On Wednesday, my husband and I went to the Portage Moose Lodge for dinner and cake. A lot of people bought me drinks and I had to get tickets so that I could get the drinks at a later time because I was driving that night and couldn't drink that much. I did play "Don't Turn Out the Lights" on the Jukebox though.
My actual birthday was on Thursday. That day I got to sleep in because I did not have to do my morning shift at school. I went for a run that day to my BSB Long Run mix. Later that evening, my husband took me to Red Lobster for All You Can Eat Shrimp. The last time I was at Red Lobster for this event was after Brian's HHC Event in Alpharetta, GA last year. That was actually the first time I had ever been to Red Lobster. So the only thing that would have made that birthday dinner better was if I would have been with Tammy, in Alpharetta, and after spending a whole weekend with Brian Littrell.
Friday night, my husband took me to see The Lion King in 3D. The Lion King is my favorite movie and I saw it back in theaters when it originally came out. My husband absolutely hates animated Disney movies so for him to sit through that for me, shows me what a wonderful husband I do have. However, it would be nicer to have a husband who shared that interest. You know who does love Disney movies??? Brian Littrell.
Saturday was a busy day and it wasn't necessarily related to my birthday. The Portage Moose Lodge had a multi-family yard sale as a fundraiser. Most of the stuff we had is stuff we found in the house we are flipping. My uncle's table was right next to ours and I noticed that there was a BSB Millennium CD on their table (probably from my cousin who did like them and Nick way back when I used to baby sit her). If I didn't already have two copies of it, I might have bought it because I hate seeing BSB stuff for sale by someone. It makes me want to buy it and give it a good home. Especially, with Millennium being my favorite album.
Later that evening, my dad was having a pork chop dinner as a fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and several Moose Lodge charities. I was asked to waitress. I was able to make over $30 in tips in the 2.5 hours that the dinner took place. This money is going straight into my Backstreet Fund obviously. That alone should buy my University of Kentucky football ticket if I go to a game this season.
Speaking of UK, the day would have gone much better if I would have been able to watch or listen to the UK v. University of Louisville game. And it would have gone even better if UK actually would have won. Whenever, UK and Louisville play, they are playing for the Governor's Cup. For the past four years, the Governor's Cup has been in Lexington. This year we lost it. However, UK still wins the series (14-10).
After the dinner, was some karaoke. I started the night off by singing "I Want It That Way" and "Everybody." One of the people there told me that she actually likes the songs I sang and that she should have gone to the NKOTBSB shows this summer. I told her how awesome they were. I also sang some NKOTB. I also drank A LOT! I had a great time and not feeling too hot today. But I have definitely had worse the day after.
So that is pretty much all for my birthday celebrations. However, me and my roommates did make a decision on our door decoration for this year's cruise finally. I am super excited about the idea and it should be much simpler to do than last years door decoration but it will still be cool. Not going to give any secrets away right now.
So all in all, it was a great week filled with plenty of Backstreet related events! Oh and I got about $200 from family that will also go into my Backstreet fund. That is almost enough for a deposit for BSB Cruise 2012 (or 2013 if the rumors are correct).
