Nothin's Forever In This Crazy World...

Over the past three weeks, I have had several reasons to blog, but after reading a post in "Pop Culture and Caffeine" by a fellow Backstreet fan, I was compelled to write one in response. This blogger passionately lists the fees for Backstreet events, including cruises, Nick Carter solo shows, MixTape VIP and BSBBQ to name a few and adamantly states that the Boys have lost sight of the state of the economy or the fact that fans cannot dish out this type of money on a regular basis to "get close and have a 2.2 second interaction with guys who claim that they love their fans when, in reality, they see us all as dollar signs."

As I was reading this blog, I began to think about the amount of money I have spent on BSB adventures, starting from the BSB Cruise in 2011. (I honestly cannot come up with an accurate quote, but I know that I dropped over $3000 on Cruise 2.0 alone. Mind you, I spent 3 extra tourist days in Miami and did plenty of shopping for my MANY wardrobe changes while on board.) I attended 4 NKOTBSB shows in 4 different states, all with VIPs. I went to Nick's show in Philly. I went to MixTape (GA was enough for me) and the BSBBQ... and the softball game. And I just got back from my last minute trip to Good Morning America, which also included the Sneak Peak and Meet and Greet the night before. I think about all of this and I am incredibly blessed to have the ability and opportunity to travel and attend these events. BUT I do realize that they have not been inexpensive.

A shirtless AJ and me at the BSBBQ-- Every AJ girl's dream.

So the question is, IS IT WORTH IT? My fellow blogger says no. And I have a feeling that there is a large portion of the population that would say the same. HOWEVER, I have a dissenting opinion.

I, personally, have NEVER had a negative experience at any of the BSB events I have attended. I have never finished a soundcheck or a cruise or a concert and said, "Wow, I really wasted my money. That was not worth the time, travel or effort. I will NOT be doing that again." In fact, it has been quite the opposite. I feel that the Boys have gone out of their way, gone above and beyond, and neither the security nor Ground Control has EVER been anything but courteous and wonderful to my mom, sister and me.

Brian writing out song lyrics for me to turn into a tattoo. He didn't HAVE to do that. I adore him. And his beautiful, photobombing wife. ;)

While I do travel to events for the Boys (and that is why I pay for Meet & Greets), I get to turn these trips into mini-getaways with my girls. These are friends who I have made BECAUSE of the Backstreet Boys, and they understand the music that makes my soul dance. So Cruise 2.0 (and my extra time in Miami) was spent with girls I was meeting for the first time but had been talking to online for years. I made memories that you cannot put a price tag on. And that goes for the trips I have made recently as well. Both in Hershey and in NYC, I was able to spend a couple of days with friends from across the US who I get to see once or twice a year. Backstreet events are SO much more than that handshake and a smile you get during a Meet and Greet. (Which, by the way, NYC was the FIRST time I was with AJ and did not hug him. Josh asked nicely, so I did as he requested. But our time was far from rushed, I got to speak to each of them, and Brian and I had a full-on dialogue before and after the picture.)

Some of my absolute favorite people at Wet Willies in South Beach before BSB Cruise 2011.

We all have to make choices as to how we spend our disposable income. Some of us don't have as much of a disposable income as others-- times are tough. And then there are other factors: multiple jobs, significant others, kids. Six months ago, I was working 2 jobs and busting my butt to make everything work. But you better believe that if I wanted to attend a BSB event, I picked up extra shifts, planned ahead and made it happen. Those events, those moments, those memories-- they are irreplaceable. And the people-- the FRIENDS-- I have made along this journey are just as precious to me. Without these adventures, I would have never met them. I would not have these memories or these wonderful women in my life that I can turn to at any moment. Without knowing, they have gotten me through the toughest time in my life just by being there with a song lyric, a story or a good laugh.

Danielle and me in Times Square, during our photo shoot. <3 We met in Hershey, in ponchos, looking like drowned rats.

So, is it all worth it? All the plane tickets, the hotel rooms, the concert tickets (sometimes from stub hub at 3 times face value), the VIPs, the cruises and the new outfits that we buy because we HAVE to be cute for the photo shoots in front of the food carts. My answer is a definitive YES. And I will keep attending the events that I can until this ride comes to an end. We are going 20 years strong, but our Boys taught me that nothin's forever in this crazy world...