Earlier this year Ben and I listened to the book The last lecture by Randy Pausch. In this book the professor, who was dying of cancer, talks a lot about the importance of fulfilling childhood dreams, no matter how big or small. I can certainly say that having Ben in my life and planning the rest of our lives together has fulfilled and is fulfilling many dreams for me but recently I fulfilled a childhood dream without him. In November, my friend Dareth and I went to the New Kids on the Block (NKOTB) concert in Kansas City, Missouri. NKOTB is the first boy-band or any band for that matter that I remember liking as a child, and at 9 years old I felt I was destined to marry Joey McEntire--the youngest band member and the cutest (at least in my opinion). I never got the chance to see them in concert and when I was 13 the band broke up. So, alas it wasn't meant be. I would never see NKOTB in concert...but then last spring they announced a reunion tour that included Kansas City. I was very excited!

So my brother ordered tickets for me because they went on sale when I was in Vegas with Ben. I intended to get the cheap seats but he purchased floor seats. I was a bit dismayed at this until the night of the concert. My friend Dareth met me in Kansas City (we both live about 2 hours away on either side) and we went to Cheesecake factory and then went to the concert. She was never a fan but was excited for the girls night. We were enjoying our floor seats, which were near the back, but were frustrated that we had a very tall man in front of us and couldn't see the stage well, when the band left the stage and after a short musical interlude, appeared next to us...about 4 seats away on a small round stage. It was fantastic and Dareth was successfully converted into an NKOTB fan.

It was the best concert I have ever attended, and those of you who know me well know I have attended many mostly thanks to my old job. It is certainly a night I will never forget and my inner 9 year old is thankful for the dream fulfillment!