Bruce, Bruce, Baby.

I haven't actually taken the time to craft a legitimate Bucket List, but there are a few items that are on this not-yet-existing list that are complete no-brainers.  One of those items has always been:

Attend a Bruce Springsteen concert with my Mom and big sister, Lindsay.

Why, you ask?  Well, I grew up listening to Bruce Springsteen. My Mom has always said, "I've been in love with two men my entire life, Bruce Springsteen and my husband, and I married one of them!".  My favorite Christmas songs are Bruce's and I've always loved watching my Mom dance and sing along to his music.  I could go on but basically, Bruce Springsteen sang the soundtrack of my childhood.

It just so happens that Bruce is on tour right now, and was in Detroit a couple of weeks ago.  I found out a little late, though, and my Mom had already made plans to see him there with her hubby and some friends.  I was a little disappointed, of course, but knew that he's a legend and I would probably still get to see him some day in concert.

However, I underestimated my Mom's 'fun gene'.  Just a few days after he performed in Detroit, he was scheduled to perform in Cleveland.  I jokingly mentioned to Mom that we could drive to Cleveland on a Tuesday night (a 4 hour drive on a work night) and was shocked when my Mom called on Monday night and said, "Well, do you want to go?  I'm going to get us tickets!"

We all decided that fun trumps sleep and with my pending departure, there is no time like the present to make a great memory!  We bought tickets and left our little town in West Michigan in the early afternoon to make it in time to see The Boss in Cleveland.

and let me just tell you, IT WAS SO WORTH IT.

Of course, we didn't quite make it home problem free.  At about 3:00am and an hour away from home, we got a little visit and souvenir from the Michigan State Police.  He delivered our ticket with an apathetic, "Sorry to put a damper on your night".  (Though I highly doubted the sincerity of his apology!)  

I am just so thankful for the fun experience and that my Mom has been a living example of what it looks like to seize life and make the most of every moment!