The short version is that I got engaged.
The long version, which I will bestow upon you now, is much, much better.
My favorite band in the entire galaxy is Relient K. If you haven't heard of them yet, you should. They are amazing. Their frontman is Matthew Thiessen-- the most incredibly gifted songwriter that I have ever had the privilege of listening to in my life. He's basically been my idol since I was fourteen years old, when I started listening to his music. Every album he releases with his band gets better and better, and there is practically not one day that goes by that I do not listen to at least one of their songs at some point throughout my day. They have become part of my being. I love them so. friggen. much.
My boyfriend, Harrison, bought us tickets to see Relient K in St. Petersburg for the 27th and although it was a few hours drive to go see them, I really could never have an excuse good enough to not see my favorite band in concert with my boyfriend. This would be the 13th time that I would see them perform. I'm telling you, I'm a gigantic fan. HUGE. Sooo it's a little ridiculous that any chance that I have had to actually meet and talk with a member of the band....namely Matty T....I would freeze up and not be able to utter a word. Well, that's not entirely true, I guess. I think I did squeak out a "hi" when I got an autograph from him at Rock the Universe last year. But for the most part, if I'm in close proximity to him, every atom in my body comes to a standstill, my heart decides to pump at an alarming rate, and my vocal chords pretty much evaporate while the whole time my brain is reeling "OH MY GOSH I LOVE YOU SO MUCH, YOU'RE SO TALENTED, YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH YOUR MUSIC MEANS TO ME, I HAVE EVERY SINGLE CD YOU HAVE EVER RELEASED AND ONCE I EVEN WROTE YOU A FAN LETTER AND SENT IT TO NASHVILLE TO TELL YOU ALL OF THAT AND I WOULD LET YOU INTO DISNEY WORLD IF YOU GUYS EVER WANTED TO GO, CAUSE I WORK THERE...and stuff."
I'm kind of thankful he never got that fan letter, because he would have labeled me as a creepy stalker girl and I'm sure I would have deserved it.
Anyhow, I really do not understand how he pulled this off, but Harrison, knowing how much love I have for Matt Thiessen and Relient K, got in touch with Matt and exchanged phone numbers with him when I was saving our spot in the concert hall. It blows my mind how he accomplished this. Harrison was fervently texting throughout all of the opening bands' sets. At one point, I even asked him who he was talking to. He claimed to be texting his cousin Aaron about "a new girl he was dating." Since there is not a dishonest bone in Harrison's body, I believed him-- even though he was acting slightly odd.
When Relient K finally came on stage, they proceeded to perform the best gosh darn concert that I have EVER been to. They opened with my favorite song, "Who I Am Hates Who I've Been." I was absolutely tickled. They played a few of their new songs, like "Sweeter" and "Boomerang" and I fell in love with every new melody. As if I wasn't ecstatic enough with their performance so far, Matt Thiessen randomly said they were going to perform a song that they had received a request for and it turned out to be "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything!" I was just downright giddy at this point. They even came out for an absolute perfect encore. I was sad when it was over, but so happy to have seen such an incredible concert.
When the crowd started to leave, Harrison wanted to hang back and wait to see if the band would come out so he could get an autograph on the "Forget..." album he had bought at the merchandise table earlier. I instinctively became nervous, knowing how starstruck I would become around Matt Thiessen. Harrison knew it, too. He had already personally witnessed my Matt Thiessen breakdown on several occasions at other concerts. So when he said he wanted to wait for the band to come out for meet and greets, I almost begged him to go. I remember saying things like "you know I won't be able to talk to him" and him asking "pleeeeease? Just a few more minutes." And he kept texting on that dumb phone. Texting and texting and texting. Finally, I was like "Harrison, they're probably on their tour bus by now." He asked if we could at least check by the bus before heading out. I reluctantly agreed.
I'm already a shy person by nature, but when it comes to Matt Thiessen, I'm downright ridiculous and I even know it. It's like I can feel myself being ridiculous and can't stop it. So when I actually saw Matt Theissen and Matt Hoopes by the bus, talking to fans, I tried to hide behind Harrison. He wouldn't let me. He started up a conversation with Matt Hoopes while Matt T. was finishing up pictures with a group of teenagers. Harrison pulled me into the conversation, telling Matt H. how big of a fan I was, and how I had seen them in concert 13 or so times, and we talked about their different albums, how his next-door neighbor in Nashville is one of Harrison's friends from his hometown. We even talked about how he wasn't entirely thrilled with the Karaoke albums they last released. I couldn't believe I was successfully carrying on a conversation with a band member of Relient K. My brain stopped computing altogether when Matt Thiessen, now free from other fans, snuck over and asked if he could "pop in." I don't even remember everything I said to him. I just remember bits and pieces as it comes back to me, but I know I kept looking over at Harrison to register that this was actually happening. It was. It was ACTUALLY happening. I talked to Matt Thiessen about my favorite songs he played. We talked about how many times I've seen him. We talked about other things, but like I said, it's slowly coming back to me as I realize this happened in reality and not in my mind while I slept. The thing that matters most is that I know I finally was able to TALK to him and not just stare like an idiot. This accomplishment was largely, if not entirely, due to Harrison being there.
During our conversation with Matt, Harrison handed him his cd to autograph. He asked him to make it out to me. Matt was talking and signing, for what seemed like a long time. I started to think maybe he didn't know how to spell my name or something like that. Harrison teased that "look, he's writing you a novel." When Matt finally handed me the cd, I looked down to read the words "Alicia, will you marry him?" I never even saw Harrison kneel down, but there he was, holding a box with a ring in it. I turned to Matt asking "is this for real?" At least three times I asked him that. He was laughing. I think he told me to answer Harrison. I somehow managed to get the word "yes" out in my complete state of shock. Matt wanted me to put the ring on so he could see it. I was completely freaking out. We took pictures. We talked more. Matt Thiessen hugged us both. Several times. We talked to him about Disney World and how next time he's in town, we will totally get him or the band in. He said we're like family now and to keep in touch. He hugged me again before finally loading his bus. Just thinking about the whole thing even now makes me think I must have dreamt it up. I keep staring at my cd and my ring to register that I'm engaged, for real.
Oh, and the ring...it is GORGEOUS. It's exactly what I never knew I always wanted. Harrison did such a wonderful job choosing a piece completely suited to me and my taste. It's absolutely perfect. I've never seen a more lovely, sparkly, fairy tale of a ring. I don't understand how he pulled this whole thing off, but I am so thankful and incredibly blessed that someone loves me enough to make that night such an unforgettable and brilliant experience. I wish I could repeat it over and over.
This is a link to a video someone posted of the "Pirates" song that the Matts unexpectedly performed:
http://youtu.be/K29NkxhMKMc
I'm so sending them an invitation to the wedding.
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