As you know I am big on living your life to the fullest. I really believe in life lists and you have to work to create a life full of wonderful memories.

I had a great opportunity to live out a childhood dream. I was going to be able to meet the New Kids on the Block! I KNOW! So crazy!

When I was a kid, I had all their posters and watched all their videos. I wanted to meet them so bad and was lucky enough to go to their concert where I sat towards the back. Was it worth it? Of course but I always dreamed I would get to meet them and be able to sit in the front row. Well many years later as an adult, I was able to make it happen…

Let me tell you about the adventure…

April and I noticed that NKOTB were coming to Orlando and they offered a wonderful VIP package. The package will allow you to have a meet and greet, a photo with them, receive a gift bag and receive a concert seat within the first 10 rows. We had to have it!

We logged in the moment the VIP packages were available and we purchased our deals. Sure it wasn’t cheap but this was a once in a lifetime experience and we couldn’t pass it by. We both had dreamed as kids for this chance and now we were going to be able to watch it come true.

April and I then spent the next weeks planning how we would prepare for the event. We wanted to have all the details down to get our money’s worth. April’s goal was to get her picture with Danny. She wanted to make sure she would get a great photo with her and her new favorite, Danny. I wanted to get my photo with Jonathon and I wanted to do something crazy while I was there. My goal was to get kicked out by security. Of course, I was only joking. I told April to be prepared though if I yelled, “Shenanigans!” that meant something went down and we needed to run!

The day finally came and we arrived at 4:15pm to begin our adventure. We stood in a huge line and waited patiently to be signed in. We met a group of girls who chatted with us and happened to have attended another concert already. They joined with us so we would be a complete group for our photo as you needed 10 people in each group. We were lucky to find a group of cool people to share the photo with.

When we signed in, we were all placed into group N. N for NAUGHTY! Well that is what April and I decided it was for. We then received our gift bags which contained NKOTB magnets, a hat, a charm bracelet and a heart locket. A woman tried to buy mine off of me and was not pleased when I let her know I loved the jewelry and was planning to wear them every single day. HANDS OFF MY BAG!

April and I found a table and sat waiting for the moment for our meet and greet. We started to collect items as we waited to make up for all the money we spent. April took a NKOTB scarf from the table. I placed a candle holder in her bag and we filled our bags with tons of mints that were laying around.

Finally it was our turn to line up and we all waited until we were up at the front. We were surprised to see that they did not add anyone to our group as we were 3 short of the required 10. We talked about how we were going to be fair and we split up the guys so everyone would get their picture with their favorite. April got Danny as she wanted and I got Jon.  We were so excited!

As we stood in front of the curtain to go in, we realized their were 3 girls standing in front of the group. Three girls, who heard us talking the whole time, did not let us know they were part of our group. One girl even mentioned to her friend that she did not care what we wanted, they were going in first. It wasn’t cool. We were all there for a fun time. Why would they do that?

We were able to jump in and start the meet and greet. Of course I talked with Danny with April and then headed over to Jon. My plan was to stand ready because I knew the photo would happen fast and I wanted a great shot. As I stood there talking to Jon, Jordan bumped into me by accident and said he was sorry and introduced himself to me. I shook his hand as Jon placed his arm around me for the photo. We all started to pose and I was so excited because it had all fell into place. April had Danny on the floor to herself and I had Jon standing right next to me.

As I was smiling for the photo, Jordan started to back up again and bump into me. I figured this was my chance for shenanigans so I placed my hand out so I would accidentally, cup is butt. When this happened, he turned to look to look at me and I said, “I am sorry” and he responded, “No my fault.” I WAS IN THE CLEAR!

PICTURE WITH JON and SHENANIGANS!

After the second photo, we were rushed out by security and received our tickets for the concert. April and I were sitting a little left of center in the 3rd row! We couldn’t believe it and were so excited to be so close. We headed out to pick up my camera and went to our seats.

We were so close to the stage, we couldn’t wait for the concert to begin…

When the came out I was so excited but I noticed a lot of people in the audience were A LOT more excited than me. I thought maybe I had grown up and this wasn’t going to be the same. As they sang, I enjoyed the close seats and was having a great time. After the first 2 songs, they started the famous, “You Got The Right Stuff” and I screamed like an obsessed fan. I released it only took one good song to bring me back to that 12 year old all over again.

The concert was great and we were having a blast singing along to all the hits we knew and loved. NKOTB did a surprise part where they performed a few songs in the very back so people sitting back there received almost front row seats for a moment. During this time, I sat down. I maybe living my childhood dream but I am 30 and I needed a rest.

When they returned to the stage, they continued to sing the hits I sang along and danced. At one point, Jordan came out on a platform all by himself with a fan blowing on him. I did not understand what was going on and thought it was kind of lame. Then all of sudden, he tore open his shirt…

I SCREAMED LIKE A 12 YEAR OLD GIRL!!

Then he started singing his solo hit “Give It To You”, which I love, and I think I danced and screamed the WHOLE time.

While April and I were dancing away, Donnie came by on the stage in front of us. April screamed and pointed at him and he looked back her, winked and pointed his finger back at her and used it to wave JUST AT HER. That was her moment and it could only happen when you are that close to the concert.

The concert started at 8:30 and it was around 11:00pm when they wrapped up the show with their new hit “Summertime” and then ended the show with “Hanging Tough”. It was time to say good bye.

So now comes the main question, was it worth it? YES!

Life is too short to not take opportunities that are handed to you. As a kid, I would have never been able to have this opportunity but as an adult I could afford it. I went after it and it felt great. It has been days since the concert and I am still laughing and smiling about this great experience. An experience of a lifetime.

Realizing this dream has built up such energy, enthusiasm and joy to my life that I am moving forward on other goals a lot faster than before. It built up momentum and I am riding the wave.

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