The other night, as I wrote my story for the NKOTB and US submission, I realized just how many amazing times I've had because of New Kids. I write this, not to brag or rub it in anyone's face, but it's important to me that you know that despite everything that's happened to me the last three years, I still don't take a single moment for granted.
I remember my first taste of Face Time in April 2009. I remember every minute of that whole day, right down to the fact that Donnie was wearing the "Butter Coat" (the leather was as soft as buttah!). When I first shared my story from that day, I wrote about every little detail from the time it began (the night before) until well after we returned home late (early?) that night (the next morning?). I had waited twenty-one years for the moment when I would first meet a New Kid and I didn't want to lose a single memory.
I met more of the guys later that spring when I went to New York for the Today Show and again over the summer when I had my first and only 5* in Denver. Since then I've gotten the chance to talk to them a few more times, each time being more special and personal than the last. And you've probably noticed that I don't share the details anymore. Much of my reluctance is because I don't want to appear egotistical about the time I've been fortunate enough to get with them. The last thing I want is for someone to feel like I'm rubbing anything in their face. I've been there and I wouldn't wish that feeling on anyone. But honestly, the biggest reason I don't share much about my time with them is because it's my time with them.
They're my moments.
They're what I see when I close my eyes and think back to certain cities or circumstances. They're the voices I hear when my mind can't shut down at night. They're the happy place I retreat to when life's just too crazy to deal with.
I still remember every detail of every encounter and I've written them all down (as if they'll ever disappear from my head), but instead of sharing them now, I want to hold them close to me. It's like a secret nobody else knows. We live in a world full of public timelines and oversharing of personal information on a constant basis. Thanks to Twitter, Facebook and Google, we get immediate play-by-plays of the lives of everyone we know. Isn't it nice to have a few secrets now and again?
