#CGTC2013 - DAY 3:
So on February 25th, 2013 I woke up in our hotel room around 9:00, at least an hour before my alarm was supposed to go off. The first thought that entered my brain was "... Oh my god... I met Team Starkid last night. And hung out after the show with Jeff Blim." At that moment I knew there was no chance of going back to sleep. I was so full of excitement from this amazing and perfect weekend, and I really didn't want it to end.
Sadly, all good things have to come to an end eventually. In a few hours that morning I had everything packed and ready to leave Chicago... even though I myself wasn't ready to leave Chicago. Still, as Lindsay and I said goodbye to Justine (I had said goodbye to Felice the night before, after we had hung out together and marveled at how amazing that night was. And Felice, you had better come visit us in Utah sometime sooner than later. ;) ) and left for the airport, I tried, as always, to focus on the positive. Even though all I wanted was to stay in Chicago forever and keep coming back for the rest of the Airport for Birds shows and other events beyond that, I was just so extremely happy from how perfect this adventure turned out to be. The happy definitely outweighed the sad. :)
On the plane I continued to just bask in the total bliss that this weekend had brought me. It had exceeded even MY greatest expectations, and I'm so glad that it actually happened. Still, I missed Chicago already, and I missed being able to hang out with my Candy Girls in real life and not just through a computer screen (yes, most of us there were from Utah, but still). Without realizing it, I had reached the end of the #CGTC2013 playlist that I had made before leaving for Chicago. Honestly, I must have a hidden desire to torture myself emotionally, because when "To Have a Home" from AVPM came on my iPod, followed directly by "Days of Summer" from AVPS, I couldn't help shedding a few very discreet tears.
Okay, here's where I'm gonna get all mushy, so bear with me. See, I'm fortunate enough to have at least a few families outside of my actual family. One of those families was finally united face to face during those brief few days in Chicago. The Candy Girls feel like a family to me. I can safely say that they are some of my best friends, and when I was there with them, the lyrics for To Have a Home always popped into my head:
Home, I've heard the word before, but it never meant much more than just a thing I've never had. A "place," They say, "Hey, know your place!" But I've never had a place to even know, or a face that I could go to if I needed someone there... I'm laughing it's hard to hide a smile My god, it's been a while since I have had a reason to. To think it's been here all along somewhere to belong, and a reason, a something-to-believe-in I've finally found it, a place where I'm wanted... This must be how it feels to have a home I used to dream about it but never schemed or counted on fantasies or wishes- it breaks a man to see what he misses For so many nights I'd pray for a better life, a better day but I never thought that it'd come true It's finally here and I don't know what to do and I'm trying not to cry This must be how it feels to have a home I've finally made it I've hoped and I've waited and for the first time in my life, I don't feel so alone My heart starts to heal to know this is real. This is how it must feel to have a home!
Then, when we were leaving, all I could think of was the lyrics to Days of Summer:
We've got these days of summer to, remind us of each other! The time we have to spend apart, Will keep us in each others' hearts! I'm hoping that the good old days are something I will dream about at night. Don't matter if it's sooner or later, I know that it's gonna be all right! I don't wanna see you go, But it's not forever, Not forever! Even if it was you know, That I would never let it get me down! 'Cause you're the part of me, That makes me better, Wherever I go! So I will try, Not to cry, But no one needs to say goodbye!
This weekend was a dream come true, and I will always have a special place in my heart for the good times I had and the people I shared those good times with. I love you all so much.