Reserved for Emily

Last Thursday at about 6pm I was riding high! My four friends (Amy, DeAnn, Cynthia, and Katie) and I were on our way to Madison to enjoy a night out listening to The Lucas Cates Band. We had been looking forward to this for weeks, possibly longer. Ben has been out of town or working a little later than normal for the last couple of weeks and between that girls' endless whining, arguing, ripping skirts, peeing where they shouldn't, and just overall being difficult I desperately needed a night out.

20-25 minutes into our drive I receive a phone call from DeAnn's husband who is watching his kids and my kids. Alexis had been riding her bike on a street that she shouldn't have been and got hit by a car! It couldn't have been going too fast and couldn't have hit her too hard but it was still a scary phone call to receive. She is fine. She has some good scratches and bruises on her elbow and knee but I think was more shaken up than anything else. So that was not a good way to start the evening and shows that my kids are on a continual quest to irritate and worry me. I was a bit worried the whole drive to Madison. Luckily once we got to Babes (that's the restaurant's name) I was distracted by our awesome greeting from the band.

As we walked through the restaurant and out onto the patio the band members began to greet us and gave us all high fives. When the hostess showed us our table there was a big white piece of paper taped to it that read "Reserved for Emily." Lucas told us that when he saw that sign he knew it was us coming. I'm not sure if I should be thrilled by that or embarrassed. I've made reservations in the past too because sometimes it gets really crowded and I want front row seats! I always tell the host or hostess that "I want to be as close to the band as possible." I'm sure they all think I'm nuts. And let's be honest, I am.

Back in March or April Amy had made some coasters with TLCB stickers that we always get from their gigs. So I made as well and wrote Love (a heart though) MKE Crew. I pulled it out when the band was talking us when we arrived and presented it to them. They loved it! It was so funny. They all wanted one so now we are back ordered. Lucas used it all night. So now we have both of their CD's, shirts, necklaces, and coasters. We are the best groupies ever!

Amy also brought Lucas a set list. We put down all the songs we wanted to hear. And they played them all (except for one maybe and I can't remember what the reason was but I'm sure it was a good one). During the night Jessie, the drummer, sat his girlfriend's mother next to us and Lucas' mom made us all get and dance. It was really fun to have us all up and dancing. Especially when DeAnn got a little crazy. I think I caught Mark laughing one time. :)

After the first hour had passed and the band was taking a break we realized that the mosquitoes were out in full force. So DeAnn and I went to the car to fetch some bug spray from my arsenal of first aid supplies. I'm not my mother's daughter for nothing! Anyway, we all put some on and so did Jesse (the drummer). The band started playing again and we could see them swatting at the mosquitoes while trying to play and sing. When the song ended Jesse asked if the other band members needed bug spray and then pointed to me and said, "She has some." So Lucas says into the microphone, "You have bug spray?" To which I reply, "Yes, do you want some?" He answered in the affirmative and I walked it up to the stage. After they finished spraying Lucas announced, "That smells skintastic." Then they started playing again. I just thought that was so funny that they stopped the set to ask for and apply bug spray and that I happened to have it out on the table. You see what a devoted fan I am!

We even got home at a decent hour this time! I was home at 1am and in bed and asleep by 1:15. Usually it's 2:30am! I think this was one of our most successful nights out yet. It was so much fun to be out with my girlfriends and enjoy their company and great music. We all stayed around for about 30 minutes after the gig ended to chat with the band members and get our goodbye hugs. Mark says we're like family now. Swweeettt.

Our next gig is in July in Madison and we're bringing the kids along. We're making them their own t-shirts too. And don't bother telling me that we are way beyond obsessed fans and groupies now. I already know it and I've decided to go with thrilled and not embarrassed. After all, it's really hard to embarrass me when I'm already announcing that my daughter pees in spice containers in the bathtub.