It all started on the remarkably beautiful afternoon of
Friday, August the 13th, 2012.
Not usually a very promising day, but it actually turned out to be one
of the best days of my life.
I wasoriginally told that the family and I were all going to take a
Friday night trip to Dallas for a grand opening of a brand new IMAX
theater. When I asked what kind of event
it was and what I should wear, I was told I needed to dress nicely but not
formal, and a little bit country because it was going to be “Texas themed”. I asked off work for the afternoon so we’d
have plenty of travel time and time to eat before the event started. We got to Dallas and found a little Chinese
buffet to stop in and relax. After the
meal when we were sitting and talking, Dad told Travis to start videoing our
discussion on his iPhone. I thought it
was a little strange at the time, but I thought we were just gonna make a cool
little memory to take with us. Little
did I know, it would be the beginning of one of the best memories of my life.
Dad began by saying that tonight was a really special night
because we’re all together to have a great time, but that we weren’t doing what
I originally thought we were doing, which was going to the IMAX. He then proceeds to pull out 6 tickets to
the Eden’s Edge, Thompson Square, Little Big Town, and Rascal Flatts concert
that was in Dallas on this night. I am a
HUGE Rascal Flatts fan; they have been some of my biggest influences growing up. As if it couldn’t get any better or more
stunning than that, he pulls out yet ANOTHER surprise piece of paper confirming
2 special tickets for me and my dad to a pre-show meet and greet with the guys
of THE FLATTS. If you can imagine my jaw
completely dropping—not once, but now twice—then you can get a pretty good
picture of what happened in that moment.
I literally could not believe what was happening. It was a very surreal experience. I asked him if he was joking, but I knew he
was telling the truth.
As soon as I picked myself up off the floor (figuratively,
of course), the logical thoughts began to hit me. How long has this been planned? How did y’all keep it a secret for so long
considering how question-y I can be about surprises like this? Am I really about to meet the people who I
have so highly regarded for almost my entire life? I soon got my answers. They had been planning this ever since the
news about the concert came out, which was about 4 months previous. FOUR MONTHS!
I could never keep that big of a secret for so long. Secondly, they had to be together on the
story they were going to tell me. They
picked the IMAX thing because they know how much I love it and wouldn’t ask too
many questions. And finally, YES. It was for real. I was seriously about to shake hands with
some of my greatest heroes.
After leaving the restaurant, it was time to head straight
to the venue, which was the Gexa Energy Pavilion in Dallas, seating about 9,000
people. In order for us to take
advantage of our meet and greet passes, Dad and I went to the side of the arena
and waited in the line. We ended up
missing the first two bands, Eden’s Edge and Thompson Square, because we had to
wait so long, but it was totally worth it.
When it was finally our turn, we shook hands with each of the guys and I
got to tell them about recording my Nashville album, “For You” in Jay Demarcus’s
home studio in 2008. They were really
cool about it and we joked and talked for a few minutes before taking our
picture. It was the coolest experience,
and I’m so happy we got to do that.
Thanks Dad! J
After that, we got a couple waters and went on into the pavilion
just in time for Little Big Town. We’d
seen them when they were just getting their start and they were touring with
Martina McBride, but they’ve come so far since then! Amazing vocals and great songs, both new and
old. Y’all should get pumped about their
new music coming out, because it will be fantastic.
Then, it was time for the main event, The Flatts! They came out with awesome stage lighting and
effects and of course, incredible vocals.
They did all the goodies: “Bless The Broken Road”, “My Wish”, “What
Hurts The Most”, “Mayberry”, “These Days”, “Why Wait”, “Banjo”, and many
more. I was singing every single word to
every song. It was so awesome of an
experience.
After the concert, we headed on out to the car, each of us
talking about our favorite parts of the show.
When we were in the car, Dad faced me and said there might be another
date I’d want to save and put on my calendar.
He then proceeded to hand me 6 more tickets to the Hunter Hayes/Carrie
Underwood tour on October 24th!
I about passed out right then and there.
It was unbelievable. I didn’t
understand how he could’ve swung all this.
It was SWEET.
So there you go; that’s the big story. I still can’t believe it all happened that
way, but I’m so glad it did. Who knows? Maybe one of these days, I’ll get to sing on
stage WITH them…a girl can dream, can’t she? J
