Swifties

 

Like millions of others, my two small gems are Taylor Swift (TS) fans. also known as Swifties. They love all things TS. It is sweet and endearing that they find meaning and connection to her music . They relate to the community of Swifties and get a bit hysterical at all things TS. Sometimes I find it a bit much, all the Taylor Talk; what she wore, where she is playing, playing her music, the latest news. But…it could be worse. TS is a good song writer and singer; there is depth and meaning to her music and as teenagers, there are many other things they could have connected to that may not be has healthy. I mean, I remember my own teen years of heavy metal music until I found the Dead. It was a much different scene, so that they like this cleaner outlet; I am all for it.

    Last year, we found out TS was going on tour. Oh My God!!! We “have to get tickets”, was heard, loudly, throughout the house. We signed up for early access and crossed our fingers. The girls made pact with two other friends to go together. I made a pact with one of the moms; we will both try to get tickets and if one does not succeed but the other does, then we would share. We signed up and then we waited for a couple of months until 'The Day." I warmed the girls it would be very hard to get tickets. But they were so hyped and confident. Well, mom was right. Getting TS tickets caused the whole Ticketmaster system to crash, not to mention all the scalper bots, who were a huge part of the problem. It was a cluster f—k. I had tickets in my basket multiple times only to 'lose them'.  My friend Jessica and I were texting and talking throughout this hair pulling process, trying our best. It was not looking good. But then it seemed the universe was aligned with us because our friends scored 5 tickets. Not only 5 tickets but 5 floor seats. Holy crap!! It was fare better than getting the coveted golden Willy Wonka ticket.This was the score of the decade. The girls and their friends were beyond elated. Never mind the $400 EACH, price tag (and they would not even let me entertain the idea to resell at the going rate of $2000+!!) (and later TS came out with a statement about the whole mess and bots and how sorry she was about how it went down; the whole situation even made national news for days!!)

Since this whole ticket buying madness was around Hanukkah, I told the gals, “this is your Hanukkah presents until you are eighteen” And I meant it! But all joking aside, after a pandemic that lasted several years and wrecked havoc on mental health, along with a tragic death in our family circle, nana getting ill and having to move to an ALF, changing schools, starting high school, and so much more, I thought it was well worth it. We could afford it (thanks Kaiser bonus!)n and the chemicals released in their brain from all the excitement and joy were better than any pharmaceuticals or therapy! The girls were elated and it brought joy to my heart to see them so excited about something after a long period of darkness in the world.

    Because it was in November that we scored the TS lottery tickets and the concert was not until July, we had months (and months) of TS talk. “What am I going to wear?” “We have to make friendships bracelets.” “Can I get a concern poster?” And on and on. But it was sweet to see the girls so excited about something so important to their teenage selfs. TS was almost like how the Beatles were back in the day. But thankfully without the drugs and free loving lifestyle.

    It took time for the girls to find their outfits. They scored the internet shops for months. And, ,we had to to plan our entire summer around July 29th, including taking them out of sleep away camp a day early so they could get home and get ready for 'THE BIG DAY."  Their enthusiasm was infectious and Don and I were both on board with making sure things were moving forward (getting the beads to make the bracelets, getting boots for their birthdays to wear with their outfit, and so on.)

    "THE BIG DAY" finally arrived and not only did the girls have a blast taking the Swift Amtrak train from Berkeley to Santa Clara with all the other fans (and since Jessica was going to be with them, she got to avoid traffic and parking headaches), but they then got to get up close to the stage because they had those coveted floor seats. The got in early and walked around, trading bracelets, taking a gazillion selfies and even met some famous people (Gigi Hadid, Paul Ta, the singer from the Mumfords-I think that is the correct name!) For them, it was beyond magical and memorable. I was thankful Jessica went along with the, she not only watched over them but she took a lot of photos so I could experience their bursting joy as well. And, Amara and Havana sent photos as well and FaceTimed me prior to the show, barely able to contain themselves over being starstruck and so close to the stage!

    What a wonderful experience for four delightful young people, who have years of friendship already behind them to share in this big event. Being Swifties and sharing in this monumental event bonded them further and isn’t that what music is also about; connecting, sharing, deepening. So thanks to TS for being an avenue for all this my gems and to so many countless others..

Peanut Butter  (Amara) and Jelly (Aniyah) did not have seats together but saw each other before hand. I LOVED that. These two have been sister friends since 1st grade and sharing everything about their lives. It is a treasured friendship for both. So while they did not have seats together, they shared outfit and makeup ideas for months on end. I was thrilled they got to see the end results of the other. (And to take some photos!)

  

    Here are some of the photos Jessica graciously sent to me, as well as some the girls took.