Giving Memories We Had Yet to Make

A few months ago, JD and I celebrated his birthday in Nashville, Tennesee. It was an unexpected city to herald in another year of his life, but we made the best of it, took a birthday photo, and went to a concert…but not just any concert. We went to a Mumford&Sons concert at Ryman Auditorium, an intimate venue that once served as a church.

Unbeknownst to us, Ryman is known for it's impeccable acoustics and when the four members of Mumford stepped away from the microphones, stood at the edge of the stage, and sang from the deepest parts of their hearts, the walls reverberated. The audience sang along and thumped wooden pews in mad appreciation. And in that moment, my world folded onto itself. I knew I was where I was supposed to be…

…next to my best friend, surrounded by strangers who felt like friends, breathing in the light smells of sweat, alcohol, and sweet tea.

It was a big moment for me, so when JD surprised me with tickets to see Mumford&Sons at the Hollywood Bowl last Saturday, I cried. He was giving me memories we had yet to make.

We bundled up and made our way to our seats at the Bowl. Layered in two jackets, gloves, and a beanie I bought for $2.99 at a liquor store en route to the concert (long story, Internet), I poured two paper cups of hot cocoa. We sang, danced, and laughed under the stars on a chilly night. And for a second time in my crazy life, I knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be.