Right here waiting for you
That's basically what I said tonight to Richard Marx when I met him in person.
WHAT?
I met Richard Marx?
Songwriter/Singer extraordinaire?
So here's the story:
Tonight Jami (one of my favorite friends in the whole wide world) and I had plans to go to the Richard Marx concert. I'm such a nostalgia sucker and pretty much every youth dance I can remember included one of his songs. "Right Here Waiting" came out the summer before my Senior year. It's such a sweet & sad romantic song. I always imagined the guy of my dreams as if he was singing it to me.
MAN, the 80's were great.
And yet not as great as tonight.
Our intention was to set each other up on dates. But, you know what? When push comes to shove, if you can't be with the right guy, you might as well be with all the right girls. And so, we asked out a couple of married friends who deserved a girls night out. It could NOT have been more fun...
Julie, Jami, Me & Jaime (yes, I'm the only one w/o the great 80's name)
I was so excited just to be this close to Mr. Marx. Little did I know what was ahead...
He was really so great live.
We moved up to the top of the hill so we could just totally let loose and stand and dance and scream and swoon. And it paid off, because we got approached by the show producer right towards the end of the show. I knew what he was going to offer as soon as he walked up to me (and he approached me because I think I was less intimidating than the other girls). "SHUT UP! SHUT UP!" was all I could say.
He said we looked like we were having too much fun. But, he only had 2 passes...until he came back 5 minutes later with 2 more.
(Then he said, "I know you, don't I?" And I said, "I don't think so." But it turns out we go way back...and that's another funny story for another day.)
Richard finally sang "Right Here Waiting" right towards the end and then didn't make us beg for an encore. He just gave us one. It was GREAT.
And then...we met him. I'm pretty sure I said something stupid but holy cow...it was RICHARD MARX!
He was just SUCH a nice guy.
Seriously, it was just one of those nights when you realize that this life is all about having moments of just total enjoyment...in the eternal things that matter (like great friends) and in the completely unimportant things like backstage passes (no disrespect meant, Mr. Marx). God is so good to let us just totally enjoy moments.
And I have to do a little shout out to Jami who, as always, said all the right things tonight, and who was the reason I think the Lord told me to move out to Riverton. Love you, chiquita! (And seriously, who wouldn't want to marry us?!?)
You remember that karma thing? Turns out it's pretty sweet stuff.
What a totally fun night.
I have been blessed with such incredible friends...while I'm waiting for that "right here waiting for you" guy.
LYFSGUD
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9 comments:
Very cool and unbelievable. We had the sheet music for that song i would sit and play and sing while i was waiting for the school bus. High school was so much fun! i'm thrilled for you. This is Karen (just in case you were wondering)
Way too COOL!!!! I'm glad that you had such a wonderful life and were able to just enjoy yourself not even expecting to meet anyone. I love Richard Marx as much as you. He has such an wonderfully soothing voice. I can't believe you actually got to meet him. And I sure can't wait to hear how you know his producer!!
Way to have fun and enjoy spending time with your friends! And look where it got you!?!?! Great pics too!
Donny Osmond and now Richard Marx backstage passes. Oh wait, we didn't have Donny Osmond passes, we told them we were related to him. What a fun night! And I agree, concerts are better with just a bunch of girls!
SHUT UP!!! How cool are you?
I can't tell you how many times I cried listening to that song over some dumb boy....
WHAT A FUN NIGHT YOU HAD!!!
I can't tell you how many times I cried listening to that song hoping I would meet "the one."
And then I did...April 1999. We were engaged in August and married in December of that same year. Then we had our first son nine months to the day of our wedding.
5 kids later...lyfsgud. We don't mess around! :)
I love Richard Marx. I still get homesick for my teenage years when I hear him.
I should probably sign this anonymously...shouldn't I? Too much info!
That is way awesome! He was one of my favorites from the 80's. You just know all the famous people huh? Well I think it's pretty cool and you do have such a cool life! I sure do like you and I'm glad you had a good time with the girls. And it is pretty nerve racking meeting someone famous. Michelle and I got to meet Rob Thomas at a concert and that's the one and only rocker I've met.
Oh for cool! Look at you hanging out with the celebs. You're such a rock star, Laurel. I demand to be your groupie.
In your ever so endearing humble fashion, you left out an important detail of the night. Karma... i think not! The show producers combed the audience for HOURS looking for the right girl. The girl with the cutest hair, bare feet, and smile. HANDS DOWN you were awarded the ever so coveted back stage passes. He knew a good thing when he saw it!
Thanks for a new favorite memory and a night filled with laughter!
Jami
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