that time I drove across the state for a concert

I haven't been to a concert in a looong time. And it's sad, because I used to go to concerts all the time. But the truth is, there's not much around here, and when there is something like up in D.C. or something, it's always too expensive.

So when I got an email from Ingrid Michaelson Friday morning (ok, it probably wasn't from her personally, but her name is in the sender line, so I like to think that is was---like we're real friends or something) that she was performing at James Madison University in Virginia that night, I immediately looked it up to see how far away it was: approximately 100 miles away. Dang. Victor probably won't even get home from work before the concert starts, I thought.

But what if he did? My mind started evaluating the possible scenarios. At least a two hour drive for a concert? That's silly. But it's Ingrid!! You've seen her before and you know how happy she makes you! Ok, if Victor gets home by five, it's meant to be.

And then a Christmas miracle happened. Victor got home at 4:45. And being the wonderful husband that he is, he agreed to come with me even though he was tired from waking up at 5 and he had a headache. I drove us while Victor slept.

The whole drive I was kind of paranoid. What if we get there and it's sold out? Victor would prob be maaad. Or what if we don't have time to get something to eat? Once again, Victor would prob be maaad. Add that to the fact that the drive was dark and creepy because there was no freeway attaching point A to point B. I really was scared we would see Sasquatch. Or a murderer. Or, more realistically, that we would hit a deer.

But we made it. We hardly had time to eat some chik-fil-a and unfortunately no time to get the poor husband some aspirin. But Ingrid was wonderful. She puts on great show and makes you feel like you're long time friends. Those are the best kind of concerts.

The moral of the story is that it was so nice being there with my husband. Because we dated long distance, he never came to any concert with me. So being able to listen to Ingrid sing about love and friendship in her catchy Ingrid way next to the guy who I always thought about when I heard those songs originally was great. (Except I felt like a failure when she sang, "if your head is achey, I'll make it better," considering I was in too much of a hurry to get to the concert than to get the poor guy some aspirin for his headache. I hope he forgives me for that.)

And note to self--make sure to make that drive again in the spring when the sun is up. Because it looked like it was gorgeous. And I really want to see the Shenandoah National Park when it's not pitch black.

Anyway, I love Ingrid. And my husband. And you too.

--Annie