Sometimes we can speak our thoughts into existence. Some years ago, when my life was very lackluster and routine, I told one of my sistergirlfriends that I needed more excitement in my life. It seemed the words had just popped out of my mouth when excitement became my new best experience. I soon discovered that the most excitement occurs when it is shared with a good friend.
One of my most memorable exciting experiences occurred in Atlanta, GA. I had just changed careers from Accounting to Information Technology. This was at a time when there were very few women, especially women of color, in this field. I was attending my first industry conference. The first thing I learned upon my arrival was there were plenty of men in this field and they all did NOT look like nerds.
At the opening session, I literally bumped into another woman of color as we both were coming out of the auditorium doors. We quickly bonded, learned a lot in our respective conference sessions, and enjoyed our free time meeting new colleagues – especially the male colleagues. All of this mingling led to what became our memorable exciting experience.
Normally, at these conferences, there was always an elaborate closing session with star-quality entertainment. We were excited because we heard The Temptations would be performing. So, one morning, I was walking in the hotel hallway heading to my first session when I saw this guy step out of his room and started walking toward me. He was staring at me so hard that it made me a little uncomfortable and I think it showed on my face. He noticed and apologized. He stated that he had been touring in Japan and it was just nice to be back home around the sisters. He then explained that he was part of the band (guitar player) for The Temptations. I rushed to tell my new best girlfriend that it was confirmed that the Temptations were in the hotel.
Later, during that same day, we got on the elevator and there was one of the strongest men I had ever seen. He was in a small group of other men. One of them introduced himself and told us he was over security for The Temptations. He confirmed to us they were performing that night and suggested that we get as close to the stage as possible. So, we did.
We had the closing session speech, the dinner, and then it was time for the entertainment. The Temptations came on stage and we were right up front singing right along with them. Then, suddenly, one of the Temptations announced they wanted someone from the audience to come up on stage and sing with them. The huge bodyguard came right over to us and reached out his hand. I stepped back because I was too chicken to attempt to sing with them. My new best girlfriend reached out her hand and grabbed the bodyguard’s arm. He lifted her as if she was a feather onto the stage. The music started and she sung “My Girl” with The Temptations! She was FABULOUS!
I was so excited and tried to take as many pictures as I could. Of course, this was pre-digital so we did not know until later that I had chopped off a few heads on a couple of pictures. Overall, it was SO exciting and my new best girlfriend told me it was a dream come true for her. Needless to say, we have been sistergirlfriends for a couple of decades now and we still get excited when we reminisce on this memorable moment in our lives.
QUESTION(S):
Have you experienced and shared an exciting moment with a friend?
If so, please share.
