Making Musical Memories

Have you ever decided on the spur-of-the-moment to do something that mentally seemed incredibly wild and bold? But somehow you have to do it -- to seize the moment?

There have been a few times in our marriage and parenting years that we've done things that we (and others) would deem as absolutely crazy. But we've been all the better for it....and we've made memories.

Driving all the way from Pennsylvania to Ohio (about 350 miles each way) to get our dog, Buster, ranks high among them.

Hmmm...I guess last night could join that list.

Being a regular peruser of several websites, I like to keep track of where Rocco Deluca is playing, just in case he's close enough to go to see.

So when a Rocco Deluca and the Burden end-of-tour concert suddenly came up in Baltimore....and it was FREE...and outside...we got to thinking. We could look for babysitters...or we could take the kids along.

Before you think that we did it to save money on babysitters, both of our kids are huge fans of RDB's music. We listen to their CD often -- in the car, on the computer -- ever since our crazy trip to Atlanta last year. Emily has been talking about when they are "bigger" how they can go with us to see the group in concert. Yeah, right.

Well, how do you pass up a fairly nearby, free, outside concert for two smaller fans? It's the perfect situation.

So we surprised them by spending our family night, driving to Baltimore to see Rocco and crew.

They had no idea even when we went to Power Plant Live, the concert venue, which was a bricked courtyard in front of a row of restaurants and bars.

It wasn't until we took them up to the stage and Stuart pointed to the keyboard which read "Rocco Deluca and the Burden" that the proverbial penny dropped. The look of shock and excitement made our surprise journey all the more worth it. (See our slide show below.)

We had a bit of a wait until they actually came out to play, but the kids were so psyched to see Rocco and the other band members walk to the stage that it was soon forgotten.

The best part of all was still to come. We went to the side of the stage to see if we could get an autograph for Emily and a photo or two.

We were rewarded by hugs, handshakes, and photos for all.

Emily declared that she'd "never wash again"...because Rocco hugged her. And Edward said it was the "best night of his life."

It's not something we're likely to do again for awhile. They won't become regular "rockers," at least not yet.

But it was crazy...and fun! Something you gotta do once in awhile.

Memory making.