Seeing your face glow is the nicest of hellos.
Janet Jackson (lyrics from “Twenty Foreplay”)
It was the summer of 1989, I’m pretty sure. New Kids on the Block were coming to Reunion Arena for their “Hangin’ Tough” tour. I was absolutely in love with Jon Knight. I always liked the cute, quite boy that none of my other friends liked. All the other girls like Joey or Donnie. I was 8 years old. My best friend got permission from her grandmother to go to the concert. I kindly asked my parents if I could go and I received a stern “no.” I cried and cried. I begged and begged. My mom would not budge on her decision. She said I couldn’t go because we wouldn’t have any chaperons. I was crushed.
Well, 20 years later while I was living in New York City I learned that NKOTB had reunited to create a new album and subsequently go on tour again. WHAT?!?!? This was the ultimate revenge to my mother. I wasn’t living at home. I didn’t have to ask permission. Plus, I was a 28 year old woman. It was as if the guys knew that I wasn’t at their “Hangin’ Tough” concert years and years ago. They said to themselves, “Listen, we all know that Melissa was not at our concert some 20 years ago because her mom was a meany. We need to rectify this. She lives in NYC so let’s have a concert at Madison Square Garden. We know she’ll be at this one!” You know what, guys? You were right!
I was at MSG watching New Kids on the Block live in concert and it was everything I hoped it would be and more. It was magical and it included alcohol this time!
