One Direction is the adorable musical group of five guys from the UK taking the world by storm. I am a mother of a teenager daughter who adores them. Here is our story.
March 2012 – I purchase three tickets to see One Direction 15 months in the future. I really hope my daughter Gwen still likes them next June.
June 2012 – Gwen goes to a 1D concert with a friend and the friend’s mom. She comes home beaming, with a voice that sounds like Demi Moore. How will she ever wait another year to see Liam, Harry, Niall, Zayn and Louis? In the meantime she’ll follow them on Twitter.
June 2013 – A few days before the concert, I check to make sure we have earplugs for me to use. And where are those damn tickets?
Concert day, 4:00 pm – It’s showtime! Gwen, her friend and I leave 3 hours early to make sure we are there to watch the opening acts. Earplugs packed, phones charged, and camera memory card is clear. What does a mom wear to a 1D concert? I contemplated writing “Cougars love Harry” on a white t-shirt and wearing it with a pair of Daisy Dukes, but I decided against it.
6:00 pm – The Panera across the street from the venue is woefully understaffed to meet the hungry demands of hundreds of revved up girls and their unfortunate parents. We wait in line, place our order, wait some more, and then eat our meal in take out containers because the one dishwasher couldn’t clean the plates fast enough.
7:30 pm – We’re in. I am amused to see alcohol carts, and not at all surprised that they are doing a swift business with parents. While I’m tempted, I have a long night ahead of me and I am the only one old enough to drive.
7:40 pm – The opening act starts. They are called 5SOS – Five Seconds of Summer. The five seconds stretch to 35 minutes. I am treated to the piercing screams of the little girl behind me and I want to punch her in the throat. I hope she screams herself mute sooner rather than later.
Thirty minutes before showtime. When 1D took the stage, every single seat was filled.
8:20 pm – Break between acts. I venture out in search of the ladies’ room and some candy. I am tempted by the alcohol cart again but I end up going with a $5 bottle of water and peanut m&m’s instead.
8:45 pm – One Direction takes the stage, and I insert my earplugs. Still wanna punch that girl in the throat.
8:45-10:45 pm – I actually enjoy the concert. The boys put on a good show, and I know all the songs because I listen to them ALL THE TIME. I stand up to take video of some songs, and I watch my daughter having the time of her life. I would have done this even if 1D was the worst band ever, because seeing your child deliriously happy is the rare jewel of parenting.
11:30 pm – After riding the wave of concert goers leaving the arena, we are on the road home. Gwen is asleep within 15 minutes and her friend is content to play on her cell phone. I listen to the 80s stations on Sirius radio, and remember what it’s like to be a teenager. Maybe one day Gwen will listen to One Direction as she drives my granddaughter home from her favorite band’s concert. I’ll even buy her the earplugs.
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