I'd Cross The World For Someone Like You...

**I am seriously so bad at posting stuff here on Tumblr. Haha.**

**WARNING! ANOTHER SUPER LONG CONCERT RECAP NOTE**

Where do I even begin to describe the EPICNESS that was (and still IS) the GREATEST night of my entire life? 11.5.11 will forever have a special place in my heart.

Never in my life have I been SO loved by a band.

  My plan was to go to bed around 11pm on Friday night, so that I could get a few hours of sleep before heading down to Orangevale in the morning. That didn’t happen. I still had to pack. Around 11:20 my phone starts ringing. Anthony is on the other end of the line and we have one of the GREATEST 20 second conversations EVER!

Anthony: Hi Melody.

Me: Hi Anthony.

Ant: How are you?

Me: I’m good. How are you?

Ant: I’m great. Wait, where are you?

Me: In Eureka, at my house.

Ant: Eureka?! That sounds fantastic!

Me: But you’ll be seeing me tomorrow in Orangevale.

Ant: I knew I would! You’re gonna give me a big hug when you see me tomorrow right?

Me: Of course! And you’re gonna be getting a BIG present from me tomorrow.

Ant: WAHOOOO! I can’t wait. Okay, see you tomorrow. Bye Melody.

 Needless to say after getting off the phone, I didn’t even wanna pack anymore. Haha, I was even WAY more excited and pumped up for Saturday. (Who knew that was even possible?!).

  Anyways, it was almost 1am and since I needed to be up by 4am, I knew I had to get a least an hour or two of sleep in so I tried to get some sleep. That didn’t happen either. Everytime I tried to close my eyes, my phone would ring. New text message. After serveral attempts, I finally fell asleep around 2:15 and woke up 90 minutes later. I ended up leaving the house around 6:10am, and was on my way to Rohnert Park to pick up Patty. Four hours later, I was at Sonoma State…walking around the dorms trying to find Patty’s place. A few minutes later, I find her dorm and after loading up the car, we were off to Orangevale!

 The whole car ride over to Orangevale consisted of possible reactions to a certain someone’s present, random conversations, our plan for our fan video, and a random chicken on the side of the road holding a sign. (HAHA! What I just said was 100% true!)  The second Patty and I saw the Orangevale signs we were definitely freaking out. We couldn’t believe that it was finally the day we’ve been counting down since August. We drove by the venue without fully realizing it, until we saw Cheyenne already waiting in line. 

  So there we are, at the venue, 5 hours before the doors even open, with our boatload of presents for Action Item, Katelyn Tarver, Hollywood Ending, and Taking’s Not Stealing. A few minutes later, Alicia and her friends arrived at the venue. We were all just sitting around and talking to help kill the time. About an hour later, I really needed to use the bathroom, so Alicia and I ended up walking over to the shopping center close to the venue. On the way there, we almost got hit by a guy on his bicycle!

  We walked around Big Lots trying to find their bathroom, and every time we checked the door, it was locked. We got tired of waiting so we decided to go to Carl’s Jr and use their bathroom there. As we were walking out of Big Lots, the automatic doors got stuck, so the two of us basically ran into the doors. We were busting out laughing. (Alicia’s text to Patty: OMG! Guess what just happened?!)

 On the way back to the venue, I got smacked in the face by a tree branch! *facepalm moment* Anyways, we got back to the venue and we still had a few hours to kill, so more conversations filled the time. Oh and Alicia kept trying to pull my hair! (Hahah!) Then finally the bands started to arrive. Hollywood Ending was the first to pull into the venue, then Katelyn, Action Item, then Burnham.

  Tyler from Hollywood Ending kept peaking his head around the corner as they were unloading the van, and finally he came out to say hi to fans. I kept trying to call him over, but he didn’t hear me, so then Cheyenne’s mom screamed his name to get his attention, and she was like: Come here. You have a present!” So Tyler comes over to us and goes:

Tyler: Did someone say something about a present?

Me: Yeah, I have one for you and the guys.

Tyler: Aww, you’re so sweet. You didn’t have to get us a present. *Peaks into the bag and gets the CUTEST smile on his face* Oh my god. You’re awesome! Thank you so much! (Then gives me a big hug.)

Me: You’re welcome! Could I get a picture with you?

Tyler: Absolutely!

So we take a picture and before he leaves he gives me another big hug. Then a few minutes later, Brannon and Zack from Taking’s Not Stealing arrive. I had a present for them so Patty and I went over to go give it to them. As soon as Brannon sees Patty he gives her a hug. Then he sees me holding their present, peaks inside and gets all giddy! He gives me a big hug and we chat for a minute before he and Zack left to go get something to eat before the show.

  Then it was time for me to go inside for the VIP session. The guards checked off our names and then they let us inside. I had SOOO much stuff to carry that as soon as I got inside I grabbed a table to drop off the guys’ presents, then went to buy my AI merch.

  After buying my merch, I saw Brannon inside the venue and we had this mini conversation:

Me: Brannon!

Brannon: Yes?

Me: I still owe you $15.

Brannon: Oh yeah! Wait, how did you get inside the venue?

(At this point Keegs comes over)

Me: I have VIP. Haha, I told you that I didn’t actually need a ticket but I was gonna buy one anyways to support you guys.

Brannon: Awww! Thank you!

Keegan: Dude, she drove 6 hours to be here. Six. HOURS.

Brannon: Oh! Thank you for the presents by the way.

Keegan: Presents?!

Me: Oh don’t worry. I got you a little something too! =)

Brannon: Oh yeah dude. They’re AMAZING!

Keegan: (Throws his arms up in the air) YESSSS!

Me: Could I get a picture with you guys?

Keegan and Brannon: No, whoa. Wait. It’s more like, can WE get a picture with YOU?

Then Brannon takes my camera to take mine and Keegs’ picture, and as soon as he takes it he goes: Oh dude! That’s a legit picture right there! It’s so good! 

Then Keegs takes my camera to take mine and Brannon’s pic, and as soon as he take it he goes: Aww! That’s so cute!

I thank the guys for their pics and they both give me another hug and then run off to finish setting up their gear.

  Now it was time to take my VIP picture with the guys. I was the second to last person going, and as soon as Ant saw me, this is what happened.

Anthony: Heyyyy! Come over here!

Me: Wait, before I go over there…do you remember my name?

Ant: Um, yeah. Melody.

David, Dan, Mark, and Brian: MELODYYYYY!

So I go over to Ant to give him a hug, then Brian and Dan circle around me and they all give me a group hug! Then Dan whispers in my ear: ‘You’re my favorite Melody.’ As soon as I heard what he said, I looked at him like “What did you just say?” and then he looked at me and smiled as if he didn’t say anything.  Then I guess Mark and David were feeling left out, so Mark yelled “Yo Matthew McConaughey, get over here!” Me: Haha, what?!” Then he and David start laughing, so I go over there to give them a hug, and then it was time to take my picture.

Brian: Oh, you can come stand next to me in the middle for your picture.

Me: Ohh, actually, I really want to stand next to Anthony.

Mark: OooHhHhhhhHh!!

Dan: *psshhhh* I know WHY she wants to stand there. She LOOOOVESSSS him!

*Another facepalm moment*

  Afterwards, I told Ant to come find me at the back because I had a present for him. So while I was waiting for Ant, I decided to give Mark his present first.

Mark: Hey Melody!

Me: Hi Mark! I have a present for you.

Mark: For me?

Me: Yes, this is JUST for you!

Mark: Aww, sweet! (opens the bag and sees his bear) Awwww! Now I have my cuddle buddy! Thank you so much!

We take our picture together (which turned out ADORABLE by the way), and then I went to find Dan. As soon as I saw Dan, I gave him his little penguin keychain I made for him and he loved it! We take our picture together, and ended up having to take it a couple times since the first one came out blurry, but it was all good! Dan didn’t mind! We talked for about a minute, then I went to find Ant since his reaction to his present was important since I needed it for the 25 Days of Fall video.

 Finally, Ant saw me and came over to get his present. He sees it laying on the table and goes:

Ant: Whatttt??! This thing is HUGE!

Me: Haha, I told you it was a big present. Go ahead and open it.

Ant: I don’t want to touch it. It’s so beautiful.

Me: Go ahead, the top is actually right here.

So Ant starts to pull out the card and his reaction is PRICELESS! Then as he walks around the table to give me a hug for the present, I tell him that I have one more for him, and he’s so surprised that he has another gift.  Then I tell him that I have ANOTHER present, but that it’s for all the guys. He comes over to give me a hug, sees my pendant and AI bracelet I made and he tells me this: You’re amazing, creative and so sweet! I’m so lucky to have an appreciative fan like you. You show the guys and I so much love, and it means so much to us. Thank you. *Ant didn’t let me go until he had to leave for the acoustic set. This was DEFINITELY one of the greatest moments of my entire life.* During the acoustic set, I was able to get my picture with David.

Afterwards, everyone started coming inside the venue.  The first local band was starting to set up by the time Patty, Alicia, and Cheyenne were coming inside.  As soon as Cheyenne came inside, we all went over to Katelyn Tarver who was just chilling at one of the tables. Cheyenne gave Katelyn her fan birthday card first, and then I gave her mine. As soon as she opened it, she was all:

Katelyn: This is so pretty!

Cheyenne: Those are REAL pearls Katelyn.

Katelyn: What?! NO WAY! This must have cost you a fortune! Omg, thank you soooo much! I love it! (and she comes over to give me a hug). You guys are so amazing. Thank you!

  Then Cheyenne, Patty and I get our individual pictures with Katelyn, and then she had to leave to start getting ready. At this point, we were just walking around the venue and chatting with Keegan and Brannon before their set. I remembered that I had their lyric sign that I wanted them to sign, and as soon as Keegan saw it, he freaked out! He was all: Whatt!? Aww, this is AWESOME!! (Same thing with Brannon) ahah. xD

  The concert was starting and up first was the other local band. (I don’t remember their name though). Anyways, after them it was Taking’s Not Stealing. The girls and I were on Josh’s side of the stage. During one point of their set, Cheyenne and Kelsi screamed for Keegan’s attention, and as soon as he looked our way, I threw my “I love Taking’s Not Stealing” sign in the air, and Keegan sees it and goes: “I love you!” (and then like all the girls in the audience turn around and look at me).

  After them it was Hollywood Ending. The H.W.E guys are such sweethearts! I was definitely excited to see them perform. After they got off stage, I met Cameron and Chris. When I asked them to autograph my sign, Cameron was all:

Cameron: Aww! This is amazing!

Me: Will you sign it for me?

Cameron: Of course. Where should I sign it?

Me: Anywhere is fine.

Cameron: Really? I don’t want to ruin it. You worked so hard on it.

Me: It’s really okay. I made this one for you guys to sign for me.

Patty: Yeah, she makes lyric signs all the time, so don’t worry about it. =)

Cameron: Haha, alright.

So then we take our picture together, and Cam is such a sweetie! Chris is the next one to come off stage and when I saw him I asked him to sign my lyric sign as well.

Chris: (With his British accent) Hi! I’m Chris! What’s your name?

Me: I’m Melody.

Chris:  Melanie? Or Melody?

Me: Melody.

Chris: Aww, that’s so beautiful!

Me: Thank you! Could you sign this for me?

Chris: Sure! Wow, this is amazing! Are you sure you want me to sign it? I don’t want to ruin it.

Me: Haha, yes I’m sure. Cameron said the same thing. xD

Chris: So just sign anywhere?

Me: Yup!

Chris: Alright there you go!

Me: Thank you! Could I get a picture with you too?

Chris: Absolutely!

Me: Thank you!

Chris: I have to go back inside, but I’ll be in the back by our merch later so come over and say hi. Don’t be shy!

  So Chris leaves and out comes Katelyn! As soon as she gets on stage, I notice that she’s wearing the bracelet I gave her! I seriously got the BIGGEST smile on my face when I saw it. Katelyn’s set was AMAZING! She did her own cover of “Stereo Hearts” and that was AWESOME! Afterwards, Mark came on stage and played the keyboards for Katelyn’s song “Love Alone”. She did all the songs off her album. Then after her set, it was time for Burnham.

  Patty, Alicia, Cheyenne, and Alejandra all had the private m&g, so they left me to go get their pics with the guys. A few minutes later, I get a text from Alicia and she tells me that Mark is using the cup I made him! In all of the private m&g pictures, Mark is holding my cup! When Alicia was with Ant, she had a mini conversation with him about me.

Alicia: Anthony! You need to go back inside and find Melody and retake your guys’ picture because the one you took earlier turned out blurry.

Anthony: Aww! Of course! Anything for Melody.

  After their m&g, Alicia wanted to get pictures with Keegan and the guys, so that’s what we did to fill the time before Action Item went on stage. After I took Alicia’s picture with Brannon, I turned around and there was Ant. He was all: I have to go backstage like right now, but let’s retake our picture first. So we do and then Ant was off again!

  Burnham was up next. They were okay. I wasn’t much of a fan…but hey. To each it’s own.

  Now it was time for Action Item. The lights went down and the crowd screamed for the five guys that we all came together for. Every moment of their set was AMAZING! From Mark getting “dumped” on stage during “Without You”, to Brian hugging Patty during “Defenseless”, to Anthony singing a line of “Boy With The Microphone” directly to me, to Dan coming up and singing “Home”, to the drumline solo…All combined to create one AMAZING night!

  “Boy With The Microphone” will forever have a new special meaning to me. The line that Ant looked, smiled, and sang directly to me: “Every time I look into the crowd, I hope to see her face…” (and then smiled and then looked away). I will never forget all the constant smiles and eye contact Ant and I shared that night.

  After Action Item’s set, we got to meet all the bands. So Cheyenne, Patty and I all took group pictures with everyone.

By the time we got to Action Item, Anthony saw me coming and this is what happened:

Anthony: Heyyy! (Sticks his arm out so that I could go over there and stand next to him so that he could put his arm around me) Come here. Come here. This spot is saved just for you.

Me: Awww! I’d love too. But I can’t stand there.

Ant: What? Why not?

Me: Because Patty and Cheyenne are already fighting over who gets to stand between you and Brian…so…I’m gonna go stand next to Dan and Mark.

Dan: HAHA!!! She doesn’t want you! She wants me and Mark!

HAHA! So we take our group picture, and it’s literally one of the GREATEST group pics ever! Afterwards, we told Mark that we were gonna wait for them outside. By this point, it was past midnight, raining, and freezing!  We see Mark and I asked him if he could sign my “farther the distance” lyric sign and if he could bring it to the other guys to sign too since I wasn’t allowed to go in the back. He took my pen and the sign and ran it over to Ant, David, Brian, and Dan…and then came running back. I got him to do the intro for our 25 days of fall, and he was so not focused. “Day 26 of the 25 days Of Fall” Haha. xD I finally got my individual pic with Brian since we didn’t get the chance during VIP, and my 2nd picture with Brandon from The After Party.

  Now it was almost 1AM, and the guys had to get going. I was Anthony’s last goodbye hug for the night and I asked him if he would follow me on Twitter, and he said that he would! So now, it was just me, Patty, and two other fans waiting at the venue for our rides..and it was POURING by this point. So Patty and I are standing under the awning of the venue, and we see Keegan start to pull out of the venue. He sees us, pulls over, comes running out, in the rain, just to come over and give us a hug and to tell me to have a safe drive back home. As Keegan is running back to his truck, I yelled: I Love You Keeeegannnnnn! And he looks back and yells: I Loveeeee youuuuuuu!

  Words can’t even explain how excited and how proud I was to see my loves on their very first headlining tour. They’ve worked their butt off to be where they are now and I’m so proud to be a part of their family. 

Undoubtedly the GREATEST night of my life with a special extra thanks to Keegs!

Setlist from that night:

• The Farther The Distance
• Learn To Fly
• Collide
• When Everything Falls Back Down
• Breakeven/Some Days mash-up
• Dress For The Weather
• Without You
• Drumline solo
• Defenseless
• Boy With The Microphone
• A Way With Words
• Satellite
• Home
• Somewhere Out There