nkotb + boyz II men in Charlotte = so much fun

My husband gave me two tickets to see New Kids on the Block and Boyz II Men (and 98 Degrees) for Valentine’s Day. I asked him if he really wanted to go with me – basically just being nice. When he politely declined, I called my best friend April  to see if she’d be up for another NKOTB concert. We saw them in 2008 and had one of the best times.

Fast forward almost 5 years, and we both have young babies (she has an almost-7-month-old and I have an almost-two-year-old) and we were making the trip to Charlotte and back in one night. No staying in a hotel like last time. We were determined to have a great time and prove that we could still rock it out like our 25-year-old selves. (Actually, it would have been more like our 30-year-old selves, but I like to think that when we were 30, we were still as vibrant as we were at 25.)

Here are a few things I learned Wednesday night (with some thoughts on the show):

1. NKOTB have been around longer than 25 years. 25 YEARS. I feel old. Also, I’m sure my parents thought that I would outgrow the New Kids phase. They thought wrong….

2. The guys still have it. They sounded great. They put on a great performance. They looked like they were having fun. I love that. They sang a good amount of their older songs (think Hangin’ Tough, Cover Girl) along with songs off their most recent album.

3. Their fans are fierce. I left my neon and side ponytail at home. Many women (who looked older than me) brought all of that – and more. These women are diehard fans. And stuck in the late 80s.

4. I can still road trip, dance and have an amazing time – and drive 2.5 hours back home all in one night.  And still make it to work on time the next day. Barely.

5. If in a strange-to-you city, take a picture of where you parked. It WILL come back to help you 5 hours later when you’re searching for a parking lot in the dark.

6. Boyz II Men is so great even with three guys, instead of their original four. I really enjoyed them and wish they had played longer than 40 minutes.

7. A handful of men attended this show. This was our second show in 5 years we’ve attended where they turn most of the men’s restrooms into women’s restrooms. Of course we took photos. Because we’re 12. 

8. Hangin’ Tough was soo much cooler 20 years ago.

9. I still am not a 98 Degrees fan. They were a part of this tour and played second. We chose that time to venture off and use the restrooms, check out the merch tables and sit down to rest our legs before NKOTB came on.

10. I still huge puffy heart Joey McIntyre. He’s my fave.