NKOTBSB - My First Real Rebellion

Dear Jordan, Jonathan, Joey, Donnie, and Danny:

You were my first real rebellion that I can remember.

It was second grade and my class was in the cafeteria eating lunch. Johnny Somethingorother was talking about his favorite singer and asked me if I liked her too.

"Um...I'm not allowed to listen to Paula Abdul," I responded, embarrassed.

He was shocked. "What about New Kids on the Block??"

I shrugged my shoulders.

I didn't even know who you were.

But then, my elementary school BFF, Jenny, introduced me to you at her house. I really don't remember my parents saying outright, "You're not allowed to listen to New Kids on the Block," but I knew for sure they wouldn't approve of your music.

But I was hooked.



And so when I was playing at Jenny's house, she'd pop your cassette into the cassette player and we'd dance a little. All the while, I knew I could get in trouble. But I risked it to hear you sing, "Please Don't Go Girl" or "Hangin' Tough." Of course, I had no clue what you were singing about. I can see why my parents didn't want their 8 year old to go around the house singing, "(You Got It) The Right Stuff." I rebelled against my parents because of you.

So now, as an adult, you help bring back a little bit of nostalgia. You make me think of the fun times I had with Jenny before we stopped being best friends (thanks to a school change). And you made this "good" girl feel just a smidge rebellious for a night. So rebellious that I took my camera with me. Apparently, they don't like you to do that...even though it's not printed on the ticket or anywhere else. But they saw it, let me in the door with it, and I took as many pictures of you as I could, knowing I could be stopped.

And I was.

By Mr. Muscles In The Yellow Shirt.

He seriously had some muscles. I was feeling rebellious, but not THAT rebellious. So I stopped.

Rawr.

Oh, and you made me suck my real bestie, Tatiana, into NKOTB world.

And we screamed like we were 14.

And we loved it.

And we loved the Backstreet Boys too.

And we were missing Jonathan, but limping out on to the stage in a leg brace was effective.

And everything was awesome.

And...that's all.


Love,