We had to check in at 3:30 to get our VIP passes to meet her. This meant I had to skip class. And I mean, legitimately skip class. So after my first class of the day, I beelined it back to my apartment, grabbed a few things that I would need, and headed down for home.
A blissfully uneventful drive later, I hurried into my house, dropping off everything that I didn't need and hurried into my dad's car. Another successfully uneventful drive, and we arrived in darker part of Salt Lake. It wasn't as polished or refined as the inner city, and most every other building around us was abandoned, or had broken windows around. We also were buy the central hub for the busses and TRAX stations. We got in a line full of people, and it surprised me to see that I wasn't the only Lindsey Stirling fan here. I knew Lindsey had tons of other fans, but I had always seen Lindsey through my screen, usually alone. Now I was in a line with a bunch of other people who loved her just as much as I did.
Yeah, I was excited.
We went over to Gateway for a quick lunch/dinner/food trip before heading back over for the Meet and Greet. The line wasn't too long, but every step closer to the door I got more excited. She was in there. She would see me. I would see her.
Agh! I'm going to meet her!
And then, my dad shuffled me around and then...I saw her. Judging from how far away we were, and how I could spy her signature Peacock hairstyle just barely above/around the raised flooring, it hit me that she wasn't very tall. Score another 10 points on the awesome scale.
We were given our neon orange writst bands and I headed straight for the merchandise. I knew exactly what I wanted. Her album, and a pretty awesome poster of her in her Zelda costume, which was the first song I ever heard from her. Then we got in line to have our pictures with Lindsey.
I could feel the butterflies in my stomach, and I just wanted to run around screaming, "OHMYGOSHOHMYGOSH! I'M MEETING LINDSEY STIRLING!" Instead, I got brave and asked a few girls ahead of me how/when they first found Lindsey. Most everyone I talked to were musicians in some way, and then there was me who just loves Lindsey.
Then, the moment arrived. After talking with her keyboardist, (which helped me calm my brain so I wouldn't spout out stupid half-sentences) we walked up to Lindsey.
She gave me a hug. And in a geinuely sweet voice said, "Hi!" while hugging me.
That was more than I ever dreamed would happen. We didn't even know each other, and she was still hugging me like I was her best friend.
Yeah, we're the same height. Short people unite!
Finally, it was time for the concert to begin. The opening act cleared out, the audience began chanting, "Lindsey! Lindsey" at every available moment. When the background music finally became muted, everyone knew it was time. She appeared onstage, like a little musical nymph, and began dancing and playing her violin, just like in her videos.
But it was different than watching her through a screen.
While her smile and general demeanor shows that she's having a grand time in her videos, in person, she radiates this joy. In every action that she does, you can feel her passion for this. I didn't want to yell and cheer.It almost felt irreverant to do so, even though everyone around me was doing the same. I just wanted to watch her play. I could have done that for hours, because she loves what she does. And to see her, in person, doing exactly that, it made me want to do the same.
So today, I'm feeling inspired. I have a sudden burning inside me to go get what I want. And who cares what everyone else says or thinks? I have that inner spark to go and do, to prove those naysayers wrong, even if it's only me. If she can achieve her dream, then I can sure as heck get mine.
Thanks, Lindsey, for being an inspiration for so many people. Mostly to me, because I one day hope to do the same.
Very cool. Congrats.
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