Dear Taylor Swift {A Thank You from Houston}

Dear Taylor Swift,

We could really just wrap up this post with two words: “THANK YOU!” But let’s talk about it. Months ago, thousands upon thousands of us sat on our computers to snag tickets to your Eras tour. Yes, it was frustrating. Yes, I potentially lost 7+ hours of productivity. Yes, I wondered if it would be worth it. But we persevered, yes? In what felt like the 11th hour, I snagged 2 tickets for my girl and myself.

If I’m honest, the tickets were 95% for me, 5% for my 12 year old.

I am a “late in life” Swift adoptee. I mean, I knew the hit songs from her earlier albums but I wasn’t next-level obsessed. UNTIL.

Covid hit and summer of 2020, she dropped Folklore. When I tell you that these songs were the anthem that colored that very weird and dark time, it’s not an exaggeration. On repeat, all day, every day. I became a Swiftie.

Then Evermore. And then I started digging into the allll of her older albums and became absolutely enamored with this artist. To me, she epitomizes full artistry: insanely talented songwriter, authentic to herself, and performer extraordinaire.

Friday was our day. It was finally here. I was telling a friend yesterday that I cannot think of another artist where the fans literally UNDERSTAND THE ASSIGNMENT. Arriving at NRG was a total vibe. Everyone dressed up in all manners of Era moments – it was all represented – and so, so, so many sequins. And yes, we were sequined and blinged too after so, so very many outfit purchases and returns. I’d like to apologize to the boutiques but I was on a specific quest. I’m sure they understand.

The genuine smiles on everyone’s faces; legitimately even the people working the event felt it too. A SINGULAR person who can bring that many people together in such a force of fashion, and love, and hype – and fine, obsession… well, I am here for it. I think what I appreciated most is that zero details were overlooked. Everyone had a bracelet that blinked different colors as the music changed {don’t come at me – I’m not a techie, just a Swiftie} The costumes – oh, my. Incredible. The choreography and artistry was Broadway level. The diversity of the dancers and band – unlike anything I’ve seen in a live show before.

It was pure passion lived out in front of us for 3 plus hours.

And suddenly, none of us remembered the ticket angst.

We were so damn thankful to be there in that moment, experiencing this type of wholesomeness with pure performance with the ones we loved. I saw, of course, moms with daughters and making those memories as I did with mine {and her first concert ever.} But I also saw women with their women – their hype girls. I saw dads supporting their gaggle of girls buying them fistfuls of Dippin’ Dots and nachos and whatever Taylor Swift merch they could grab. {Shoutout to the dad of 3 girls in front of us who so kindly handed my daughter his VIP Taylor necklace – I about melted for her}.  I was in ADA seating and so I saw grandparents just wanting to be with their grandchildren along for the ride. It was just pure love all around. And so, so very much gratitude.

I will tell you the recovery period was rough for this 43 year old. Getting home at 1AM, fitful sleep, trying to recount memories on Insta, FB, and text messages to friends, a LONG nap, then grabbing a solid 10 hour night’s sleep post. There is very real almost concert depression – watching videos and looking at pictures and wondering if it all really happened. It really did. I am just very old and out of practice.

The Taylor Swift Eras Tour was the bright, sequined, JOYFUL experience we all needed right now in Houston. A collective Houston population saying that we all need to breathe and move and dance and laugh and get home way too late and dream of the day when we may be able to see her again. I’m not sure this tour is able to be topped though. It was definitely one for the Era.

Thank you for the joy, Taylor. Houston needed this. And actually, the world needs more of this. The reprieve. We are grateful.

It was beyond our Wildest Dreams. {And you’re welcome that it was the only pun I used in my post.}