Meeting Vertical Horizon: My biggest, ultimate fan-girl experience.

September 17, 2016

  When in the presence of any famous, well-known person, I'm a little geeked out and giddy; I'm probably not the only one. But, when I'm 100% sure I'm about to be up close and personal, meeting a famous person or band members, my level of giddiness reaches a whole new level, and I'm just plain excited and happy. If you know me, when I'm excited, I exhibit every emotion that goes beyond happy. The meet and greet with Vertical Horizon was - and will possibly be - the most ecstatic I have ever been meeting a famous person/group.

  Even though the story of how my friend Dave and I got the tickets for it was pretty lucky and fortunate in itself, the actual opportunity and experience was beyond thrilling and surreal for me. Thanks to Gabe, a part of VH's management team, we filled the two no-shows and were able to get in without any problems. OHMYGOSH. I literally wanted to drop to my knees and praise the group he and the band were walking on!

  You don't want to hear the details minute by minute, but I was freaking out. we were the front of the line to be greeted as each member approached us. Woah. For starters, there's no need to act like these well-known people are super-human (let's be honest, they are quite talented and beyond a level of awesomeness I won't reach), because they are similar to every day people but with a lifestyle not typical of the friends you may have. Even though I learned they're so busy and don't have time to Netflix binge like the average American, they have friends and families, went to school and act like people in this society!

Lovestruck, lovestruck, you leave me, don't leave me, love.

Matt and I meeting for the first time.

  Matt came out last, and that's when I thought I was going to completely lose it and have to use everyone's t-shirts as tissues. To date, Matt gives the BEST hugs on Earth, because that's the feeling you get when he wraps his long arms around you and literally embraces all of you. Like, it was more than a hug; it's like everything came full circle. He's been in my life in this indirect, intimate way with his lyrics and instrumentals for over a decade now. His songs make me react emotionally, mentally and sometimes physically, especially when I'm in tears and coping with life by listening to songs like Before the Let Down or Goodnight My Friend (man, that's an older song!). And when he greeted me, it was like the final act his music doing its intended job all these years was just completed, accomplished its task. Does that even make sense?

But you left me in the dark, and it’s been hard finding my way back. The more we drift apart, the more I miss the things we’ll never have.

  Matt admitted this at the first show I saw back in Arlington Heights a few years ago: there aren't a whole lot of happy songs on the band's records (I swear he said this!) (EDIT: happy as in obvious, lovey-dovey, we're in la-la land songs. VH songs are positive, but not in the obvious way. That's just my interpretation when I was first listening to the band's work.), so many Vertical Horizon songs bring back the no-so-happy times growing up. I can remember crying sad-tears and releasing my emotions by listening to the band's songs as a way to get over those feelings. Instead of reaching to the upbeat, flat-out "this song will make you smile" tunes, I chose VH songs that embodied how I was feeling to get all that emotion out and move on. Gosh, was I a mess as a teenager. Some may argue I still am a mess, but it's better now, I promise!

You're the black to the white and the warmth inside. You're the sun I'm under.

  I of course listen to VH when I'm not sad, too. The Lucky One has got to be one of the best love songs. When I first heard it, I think my face hurt after hours of constant repeat, trying to learn the lyrics and smiling because it evokes such deep gratitude and excitement, excitement that I'd like to feel that way with a man one day, a stress-less future when I thought I was in love and currently to simply being in love with life and reminding myself I am the lucky one and need to see it more!

The gorgeous men, Dave and I.

  So, yeah, I wanted to cry blessed tears and let any other emotions break through while I was with Vertical Horizon last night. I missed out on so many questions and points of praise to share though (I did tell Matt something along the lines of loving Before the Let Down, I think..!); How do you work out and stay in shape when you're traveling all the time? Favorite foods? Do you love hot, spicy foods like me? Your band's Pandora radio station is badass and played daily! I sing your songs in the car without worries because it's your songs, and I think I can sing them well but probably don't but still do anyways. You're very attractive men. Did you ever get to see New Order with the original members live? Which city is your favorite? Any quirky rituals while on tour? Do you have a girlfriend? Can I be a groupie? You know, stuff like that, haha.

  Those questions will have to be embedded in my mind for the next time. Yes, there sure as hell will be a next time. Matt, Donovan, Jeffrey, Ron, if you're actually reading this (hey, meeting you was once a dream!), please know your constant travel and all that comes with it to get to shows is ABSOLUTELY appreciated, and we adore you even more for it. I apologize for my fan-girl reaction during most of our meet and greet time together. It's hard to keep composure when you're the ones that make me cry nearly every time Forever or Goodbye Again is played when I'm off-guard. I look forward to having normal conversations next time, hopefully having my previous stated conversation points in the forefront of my mind. xoxo