Thank You Is Never Enough

Who knew October 22, 2008 would be the date of a journey I find hard to put into words but I’m going to try. This brisk day in October I was headed to a NKOTB concert in my hometown. I was going with a few friends that I have known since junior high school. I was going into this concert to relive some good old days and to just have a good time. I had no idea what to expect. I thought one concert and I’d move on..who would have thought tons of concerts later I can’t stop and have no desire to stop attending them.

The moment NKOTB came on stage I turned into a teenager again and started screaming like one as well. I couldn’t help myself it just came and wouldn’t stop. I found myself reliving the days when my walls were wallpapered with Big Bopper posters and I talked on my New Kids on the Block telephone to my friends about how cute Joey was and what a bad boy Donnie was. Although, they were all grown up on the stage in front of me, I couldn’t help but think of Joey with his curly hair and Jon with his vests on. The moment that I will never forget in that first reunion concert was when they sang ‘if you go away’. All of a sudden tears started falling and I just couldn’t stop them. I thought about my Mom and how much I missed her. She would have been so happy to see me so happy at that moment.

Those of you who know my story know that at this point in my life I had been through hell and back. After years of my mom fighting brain cancer and me being her primary caregiver, passed away and then me having my own health issues, I had lost most of my friends and felt like a lost soul in this big world. This moment changed my life. I didn’t know how blessed I was going to become by attending this single concert.

The concert was truly amazing. I left there wanting more. I had never really traveled to see concerts before, unless it was down to Chicago since it is so close to home. I found myself the next day going on the NKOTB.com forums and started checking and chatting to local BH’s daily.

The next thing I know, we were hanging out and planning on going to shows, cruise, and SO many road trips. The past 3 years has been AMAZING. I have met so many people from all over. I have met friends that I will have for a lifetime. I have brought friends back into my life that we have lost touch for years. I get teary just thinking about all that has been given to me.

When I was young my dream was to meet NKOTB, especially Joey McIntyre and Donnie Wahlberg. I never accomplished this dream until July 1, 2009. At this point, I felt I could do so much more and start living life again. So I bought an upgrade to the St. Louis concert and went by myself. I met them that night and my little thank you to them didn’t seem like it was nearly enough on all they have given me.

Two years later and I’m still in awe of them every time I see a show. My family often give me a hard time for all the traveling I do and I often get “why do you see so many shows, it never changes”. My response to them (we are a very sporty family) is ‘why do you go to a baseball game so often? Isn’t that always the same’ Truth be told…the concerts aren’t always the same. Although, the set list is usually the same, the experiences are always different. That glance you get from Donnie during the show, that one time you get to hear Jon sing Step 5, that time Joe brings his son on stage. Every show has it’s on experiences and I want to experience them as much as I can. Not only is it the experiences you get with NKOTB but it is the memories you have of sitting with a true friend watching the show. The fun you had ‘road tripping’ with your friends. All the places it has taken me around this world. Places I never thought I would have seen in my lifetime I have seen in just 3 short years.

If that wasn’t enough to be grateful for, words can’t express the gratitude I have for Donnie Wahlberg. Some days his words of wisdom tweets touch my heart. It is like he knows exactly what is happening in my life at that moment and will help me over the hump. A simple tweet from him can put you in a place that is beyond words, snap you out of a cranky mood, and make you smile for a week.

Who knew by attending a concert 3 years ago my life would change? A simple THANK YOU will never seem to be enough for what was giving to me. A simple I Love You will never be enough but it is all I can offer. So NKOTB THANK YOU AND I LOVE YOU. You truly have changed my life.

Sunday before Opening Night Chicago NKOTBSB

I think the girl next to me on the cruise said it the best. "I feel like I'm on Oprah". My intent was not to go to opening night in Chicago. Yes, I'm only in Milwaukee and it was closest they were coming but I had just took over a week off of work and was trying to be responsible. THEN The boys gave out free tickets to opening night to everyone on the cruise and HOW COULD I PASS THAT UP!? The moment I got off the boat I called my boss and asked if I could take a half day on the day of the concert. YUP! I was going to the show!
We got word that the guys had been there all week so on the Sunday before the show we decided we would drive down and see if we could find them. Just say we were out for a Sunday drive. I picked up Christina and then Liz met us there. We were there for hours and having no luck. Had dinner and then started walking to the car to get sweatshirts and all of a sudden on the sidewalk coming towards us was AJ!!! Really, AJ was about to walk past us. Christina said hello and he stopped to take a picture with us right in the middle of the street! LMAO! He kinda won me over that night. Super sweet guy! For those who know me know I've never really been a BSB fan. I know a few songs have one or two CDs but planned on going into this tour with an open mind and would have a good time overall. That plan kinda changed that night when I met AJ and he was kind. You can't help support someone like that.
We decided to hang out at the corner for awhile to see if any of the NK's came by or Rob since we were going to meet him for a drink. It kept getting later and later and AJ passed us a few more times. When the rain started to come we moved into the hotel lobby.
We kept looking at eachother and said a little bit longer. Our few hours has now turned into an all day and going into late evening hours. We weren't exactly in the lobby we were in the part right in front of the doors so when anyone came inside we were the first people they saw.
Rob came and chatted with us for a few moments before we were pretty much pushed aside from some rude girls wanting to talk to him. Honestly, wish some people would just wait their turn to talk instead of budding in conversations. It was getting later and later and we had already decided that we were going to get a rain check on drinks since work was going to come early the next morning.
One by one the guys started to arrive. First, Danny. Got a picture with him. Also, had some small chit chat. Danny did walk around the lobby and took pictures with everyone.
Joe and Jon came next. Joe gave us hugs as Jon walked by staight to the elevator. Honestly, they all looked so exhausted and should have went straight to bed. Joe walked into the lobby and said "Donnie is on his way" and he too headed straight to the elevator! I felt special that he stopped for us. (especially since Im a Joe girl)
As we waited for Donnie, because he is on his own timeline. Jon had come back downstairs to go outside. I have so much respect for them I won't follow them out the door. I always think if they want to spend time with me they know they just need to come over and talk to me but I will leave that be their choice. I will NEVER force it! They already give us so much of their time. I refuse to be disrespectful.
Donnie came a bit later but stayed outside with Jon for awhile. Earl came in by us though. If you've read any of my other blogs Earl and I just never really have had good experiences together. Nothing bad but I always get this feeling like he just doesn't care for me. SOO, I took this time to attempt to see if he did have a problem with me. His answer to me 'I dont even know you'. That was good enough for me. LOL.
Donnie came in and came over by us. He LOVES Christina and sometimes I joke saying I think Donnie looks at me like her Johnny. I'm just always where she is. LOL. I still haven't figured out if he knows who I am or not. You know you want that validation that he does but at the same time I feel so blessed I get the opportunities I have I don't think about it in the moment. He chatted with us for a bit and took pictures and then had a whole lobby of women still waiting for him.
He is truly one of the sweetest men. He looked exhausted yet took pictures with everyone. I never can explain in words just how giving this man is. Many of my non-NK's friends never understand this and if you aren't in the 'circle' I don't think you ever will. The thing is everyone is welcomed into the 'circle' but not all come. The circle is like a whole new world. A world of trust, understanding and love. Yes, sometimes someone breaks that circle but we always grabbed hands and unite again. Reliving these moments makes me realize how much they (NKOTB and BH's) really made me start living life again. Words will never express my graditude I have for them.....On to the show!!! (well, 3 days later)

Blue Bloods Trip March 2011

Christina and I travel pretty much anywhere NK's are if we both can get away. This trip Carmen could make the trip too. The three of us flew to NYC with the intent on going to the Blue Bloods set and not leave until we met someone. (of course our intent was for Donnie but secretly wanted Tom and Will too).
We flew out of Milwaukee on a Thursday and the weather was awful! Terrible thunderstorms in NYC. When we got there, we got to our hotel, ate and wanted to go and see if we could find where/if they were filming. We decided to go to the studio and see if they were filming there, since we truly didn't have a clue where they were that night. We got to the studio to find out, we went to the wrong place. Let me please remind you that it was down pouring at this point, we were soaked from head to toe, yet the whole purpose of this trip was to find Blue Bloods and no amount of water will keep us away! When we get to the studio we didn't really know what to do when we found out they weren't there so we kinda hung around for awhile. Then someone told us we can go up to production office (granted they didn't speak much English but we still listened) and walked right up there and asked for Donnie. LMAO!!! EVERYONE in the office stopped and looked at these 3 girls dripping wet asking where Donnie Wahlberg was that night. When I say stop... I mean everything stopped and they just stared at us. They said he was done filming for the night but they thought Tom was still filming at the church in the city. They told us we could leave notes for Donnie and they would put it in his dressing room. (still don't know if he ever got them). We decided to go to the city and see if we could find Tom. We waited in a tent outside of the church for awhile but never saw Tom. Everyone was pretty shocked we were still out there in the rain so after Tom was gone and they were breaking down set we asked if we could go in the church to use the bathroom so they let us. We kept looking around while the other one was in the bathroom looking at the set. Although, we never got to see anyone besides the crew it was neat to see some of it. At this point though, we were cold and wet so went back to the hotel.
The next day when we got up we decided to go to the studio again. Everyone told us not to go early and to go later but something told us to check it out in the morning. We got there and no other fans were there but the three of us. We saw a few of the *stars* but the 3 I was looking for weren't there. Then about an hour after we got there. All of a sudden there is Donnie getting out a van. Carmen had just left to find a bathroom so it was just Christina and I. He looked at us and pointed and ran into the building. I called Carmen and told her he was here and she came running back. After a few mintues, Donnie came out and over to us. Christina and I had brought him gifts and we gave it to him. He was SUPER excited about the gift Christina gave him. Too cute! He took pictures and talked for a bit and then left. Told us he was done filming for the weekend. It was nice. Glad it happened early so the rest of the weekend we could just enjoy NYC. Carmen had never been there and I wanted to see the Brooklyn Bridge. So much fun!!!! Memories for a lifetime!
I must say without New Kids reuniting I never would have seen half of the things I have seen. I have made friends I will have for a lifetime and am so grateful. I know I say this often but words can't express how grateful I am. I'm so blessed!!

I'm cruising! May 2011

I still can't believe that I got on a NKOTB cruise! Getting on that boat is almost harder than winning the lottery. Many say they aren't happy because the boat was bigger this year I would be lying if I said I 100% agreed with them. If the boat were any smaller chances of me getting on wouldn't have been good. So part of me is glad they had a bigger boat this year. Had to tell the truth. Now on to the adventure....
I left Milwaukee for my adventure the Tuesday before the the boat left. I flew into Tampa so I could hang out with my friend and one of my cabinmates at her house and then drive the next day to Miami. I LOVE Laura. Because of NKOTB, well, Joey Mcintyre, we became friends over 15 years ago and will be friends for a lifetime. It was a huge deal for me to fly to her because I HATE flying alone and this time I had to. So anxiety had set in for weeks prior to all this.
I got into Tampa and we did some odds and ends and just hung out on Tuesday. Had to get to bed early, midnight, because we were on our way to MIAMI the next morning.
We got on the road pretty early and picked up one of Laura's friends on the way. When we got to Miami I still had to wait for Christina and Liz to fly in and meet them at our hotel. They weren't flying in for a few more hours so we decided to hang out at the pool until they called.
I got to the hotel with Christina and Liz around dinner time. We had dinner and then ended up heading to meet up another friend, Steph. and hung out at her hotels pool most of the evening. There was no way I could have slept well since the next day was CRUISE day! OMG, I didn't know what I was in for.
Thursday morning......CRUISE DAY! We got to the boat and got out of our van just minutes before NKOTB arrived. So, as Im standing there trying to figure out what I exactly have to do, here are the boys getting out of their SUV...OMG, it has begun. Donnie went down the line and stopped a little bit before he got down to us. The rest of the guys just kinda lingered but never really went over to the fans to talk to them. I stood and watched for a bit but then saw Johnny (yes, I have a thing for him) and figured he would give me some lovin so went and talked to him for a bit. He was so cute on how excited he was for the cruise! We hugged and I walked away. I had to get on the boat!!!!! EEEEKKKKK!!!
The cruise was all kind of a blur. I wanted to live it up and remember all I could. Stayed up late into the wee hours of the morning and got up early to do it all over again. I didn't drink too much because honestly I wanted to remember everything. I'll try to give the highlights and encounters but truly so much happened on the cruise that I can't fit it all in a blog.
My first half encounter was as soon as we got on the boat and we sat down to eat lunch. Word was Donnie was on deck and I was headed that way anyway so I thought I'd check it out. I turned to corner and there he was. A small group around him. I was headed that way so thought I would stop and be part of the crowd. Donnie got to me and I got the tap on my shoulder instead of a hug saying he had to go. (little did I know this was going to be the theme for him and I most of the cruise). Sail away party was fun! And more to come...
Theme nights were a blast. I think my favorite was 80's night by far. Everyone was so excited and refreshed yet so we all had a blast. Most nights we had a particular spot we stayed at. We wanted to watch the BOYS yet be able to dance without getting pushed around. So we stayed up about two levels and it was great!
My next true encounter with them was at the beach party, which might I say besides my IPOD going for a swim along with all my other things I took to the beach, was AWESOME!! I have no words for NKOTB taken their clothes off in heat! We had lost Liz at the beach when the concert started and after the concert Laura took a swim in the ocean while me and Christina decided to hang out and see if we got any encounters. Donnie came down the line and hugged/took pictures with many people and as he got closer to me I was so excited. As he got to me, Earl pulled him away and I got yet another pat on the shoulder saying he had to go (as I said, it becomes a theme for him and I). Christina and I weren't ready to go so we hung out by the ship longer. Eventually all the guys started coming out. Jordan came out and everyone started following him, as most no Im not really a Jordan girl so out of the corner of my eye I saw Joe so I made a quick turn to go to him. Didn't get much love from him besides a touch. Then Jon came around and I went to him. I got a hand shake from him saying' thanks'...my only thought is 'what did we just make a business deal?' Who gets a handshake?!?! LMAO. To this day I still laugh when I think about it. Danny came down and got a hug from him and then Donnie. I wasn't setteling for a shoulder pat this time!!! So I stood right in front of him. I got a half hug but we were making progress! (although I must admit, after it happening 3 times you get to the point of thinking 'did you offend him in some way)
That night was the Blue Bloods veiwing party. We went and were all ready to sit in our 'regular place' that we were at nightly just to realize Donnie was going to sit there and it was ropped off. So we went in the row behind that. Donnie came down from the top for the party and I was standing right there for him to pass. As he was coming down he was hugging and kissing people and of course gets to me and he had to go, another pat on the shoulder I get! *sigh* (yes, now I have a complex about it all) Viewing party was a blast. Donnie in the row in front of us and Blue Bloods on the big screen. After the party, Donnie went out the same way he came and since I was sitting there I stood up and waited. As he walked by me I said 'Donnie I'm so proud of you and love you'. He turned around and I don't think he relized it was me who said it so he hugged the girl next to me. Then looked at me as if he realized it was me who said it and hugged and kissed me. Made me feel better about him passing me all those times.
Picture day was fun. Our power kept going out in our cabin and of course picture day was no different. Since I had already taken a shower, my hair had to stay freezy/wavey for the picture. I choose to stand with Donnie because when we do 5* I never get him so we did that. We went in with only 5 people for our picture group so had to find 5 more. We were lucky to find 5 more wonderful people that made it drama free!!! When we got up to the picture I told Donnie I needed a good picture with him because I don't have any so being a cutie he is he kept hugging me tighter and tighter saying 'smile bigger...bigger' LOL. It was cute!
The rest of the cruise was amazing. I really have no words for how blessed I was to be on the boat. I had the best time with friends and made some great new friendships. I will say when people say the boat was too big on that side I agree because I didn't get to see many because of the size. Even at that, I wouldn't give up the memories created and will cherish it for the rest of my life. The one word that sums it all up is AMAZING!!!