Day 128: Garrrrrrrrrrth

Feeling all the good feels about today! My parents returned to their native land after 5 months of snowbirding. The weather was beautiful yet again, and my sister's family showed up, too.

Cousins + Grandpa = Little Boy Heaven. 

We ate pizza in the driveway because we are classy, and then 6 of us headed off to the FargoDome to see Garth Brooks & Trisha Yearwood.

We beat the rush and found a great parking spot, which proved useful when we had about a one minute wait to get out after Garth's 2.5-hour show. On my way to get a beer, I ran into some of my hometown folks, which is always fun for a small-town gal. 

I knew the show would be good, because, Garth. After a long wait and an OK 4-song opener (with one song called "Summers Like That" which I really liked), he appeared! Unfortunately the sound was terrible at the beginning and any time the lead guitarist played, it was extremely screechy. A couple songs in the sound engineers appeared to have it figured out and all was well. 

I'd certainly place Garth Brooks in my top 5 favorite musicians, but if I had to choose one person whose music was the soundtrack to my childhood, it would be his. It seems every song and album can evoke feelings and force me to retrieve irreplaceable memories. I just can't tire of so many of his songs. 

"The River" played at my brother's high school graduation. I remember sneaking into my sister's room to listen when she got her first CD player (yes, we are that old). His songs played at our slumber parties, and Garth was one of the only things our whole family could agree on for long car trip listening. The lyrics and melodies are woven right into the fabric of my growing up years. 

I remember learning the words to "Papa Loved Mama" at recess on elementary school. For reasons I don't quite understand, "Standing Outside the Fire" always made me think of my brother, whom I'd never had admitted to admiring as much as I actually did. If you lived in the '90s and had a heart, you couldn't help but relate to "Unanswered Prayers" or "The Dance." I'm sure I could make a commentary on almost every song that he played tonight and so many that he didn't. 

If I had to pick a favorite, I think it would be "The Red Strokes." He didn't play it tonight, but I didn't expect it because he has So. Many. Hits. His voice was shot by the end and he kept singing anyway! My favorite part of the show was the last half hour or so, which was just him and his guitar. 

I noticed so many people viewing the concert through their phones and consciously took 0 photos or videos. I just watched the show as it unfolded and I'm so grateful I did. YOU should be grateful that I'm not posting a terrible-quality, grainy photo of the Jumbotron. 

All in all, the evening was great, as I expected, and it was so fun to go with my mom and dad, sister and brother-in-law and my nephew. We had a wonderful time! Thanks, Garth!