Thursday, April 28, 2011

It's a good thing we didn't meet, because what would have happened to poor Paul?!

Here we go, most memorable moment time.

Let me set the stage a little bit first.

Picture it, 1986. Me, a chubby little 12 year old girl who just discovered the beauty of MTV. This was very taboo, but believe me a girl finds ways to sneak it in ;) And one day my life forever changed, I will literally never forget it. I sat down to see what music videos were on and there they were.....


For the first time, I laid eyes on Bon Jovi. It was love at first sight. I'll never forget calling my best friend Dana Albertson, and telling her, "there's this group called Bon Jovi, they all have long hair, I know that sounds gross, but they are sooooooo cute" and so it began people.
An obsession with a group. I learned everything about them. I hid pictures of them under my mattress. I would go to Dana Albertson's house and Melissa Detrick's house and we would play their music all.the.time. We would watch MTV with the prayers that their videos would be played. We would rent VHS tapes of them, and watch them until we finally HAD to go to sleep. I don't think I can explain just how obsessed we were.
I loved the whole group, but two in particular I really loved. Of course Jon, and then Richie Sambora. When I think of my youth, they color it. They were always in the background and when I hear particular songs of theirs, I am immediately a young girl again.
Fast forward to the year 2000. Me and a friend are headed to a Bon Jovi concert, and on the way there, I was given the news that I would be going backstage to meet the group. Let's just say, I almost passed out. My companion thought I was losing my mind. I mean, how could I meet them???? REALLY???!!!!

We get to the concert and the meet and greet was actually before the show. There was a line of us, and I'll never forget how jittery my stomach was. This concert actually had a lineup of performers, and we would meet most of them. For example, we met the group Train, but I could have CARED less. This is also when Richie Sambora was still married to Heather Lockler, and we stood by Heather's aunt and uncle. It was all so surreal. Then the moment was approaching, Bon Jovi was to be entering the room. And I'll never forget the door opening, and in walked.....Richie Sambora.
Tico Torres.
David Bryant.
And then I'll never forget this moment either. Someone had a hand radio, and they radioed that Jon would not be coming up "he was hesitant" my stomach kind of sunk, but it didn't last for long. I understood, and besides I was in the presence of a group that I loved, I had to take it in.

So, here we are. Yes, this is a picture of a picture. Sorry. By the way, I have no idea who those other two dudes are behind me. But there's David to the far left, then Tico, and Richie on the far right. And me right there in the front. Proudly wearing my Superman tank, HA! If you know anything about Jon, you know that Superman is one of his things, and of course being his girlfriend I would know that.
Here's the t-shirt. They signed it on the back.
And the front. I keep this is a very special place ;)
So, you see I understand why Jon was hesitant. He knew I was out there, he could feel my presence, and we both know, that once he saw me, he would drop to his knees right then and there and ask me to marry him. And just think, what would have happened to poor Paul?!? ;-)

Until next time Jon....

9 comments:

Tracey said...

I am crying!!!! This is absolutely the best! A white Superman tank?! OY!! You must have been in love.

Jaime Mac said...

This is hilarious! I can't believe you met some of the jon bon jovi's! That is a seriously COOL thing to have happen!
(Please for all that is good & holy, put your superman tank & picture back into your lockbox in a secret location. We can't have those offspring of yours ruining them! ;))

Jami said...

Why haven't I heard this story before? And why in our good Lord's name do you have a Superman tank? I do have to admit that is pretty darn special you got to meet some of them.
My son should always hold a special place in your heart, he was born during a Bon Jovi song afterall! Never say Goodbye, and it was because of him I never got to come to your going away party. Pretty neat, huh?

ginmommy said...

Listen girls, the only reason I had a superman tank was because of Jon. He has a Superman tattoo, and that was one of his things, at any concert you will see Superman stuff everywhere. HOWEVER, if I would have known I was going to meet the band I never would have worn that. I was told on the way there, I would be meeting them. If I would have known I probably would have worn a wedding dress. :-) Oh yes Jami, because as you know Jon wrote that song to me of course, so that is very special....;)

A Whole New McAfee Crew said...

I am dying laughing right now!!!! You are hilarious!!! That is tooooo funny!!!! Superman tank!! Great!

Brittany said...

Love it!!! TOO FUNNY!!!!!!

Glad to find another bloggy friend:)

Jill said...

Gretchen, I have a whole new respect for you. THIS.IS.AWESOME. All of it. Absolutely love it. And the white Superman shirt. . .I don't know what to say! ☺

pambush said...

Did I read "how obsessed we WERE"?

Brittany said...

Hey!
Saw your comment --

I have a Canon Rebel XTI and LOVE it!!!!!! Couldn't live without it?! ha!;)