Okay, here I go….The Listen to Your Mother Show (Boston) was such a huge experience for me I’ve had trouble putting it into words. Weird, right? I mean here I was in a show reading MY words and I couldn’t capture it in a way that makes sense. So this might ramble a lot bit. Bear with me!

It was a gorgeous day, the sun was shining. I found the Church and the parking garage without an issue. I had built in an extra 45 minutes just to be sure. As I approached Old South Church I was taken aback by the sheer majesty. I sat in front of the church, listening to Jimmy Buffet as I tried to calm my nerves.

Suddenly a flock of birds flew over and all I could think was, please do NOT crap on my head. Cause you know I have that kind of luck! As I sat there just observing the city I saw the best smile coming my way. My friend LTYM friend, Terri, was heading my way. Something about Terri, she is the most put-together person I have ever met but she never intimidates. If you look up fashion chic, there her picture would be. Here I am in my yoga pants and sweatshirt (because I was not driving two hours in heals and a dress) and Terri gets off the bus looking like she should be on 5th Ave.

Terri
(photo credit Amy/Emily photography)

This IS Listen to Your Mother. Eleven women who are completely different but who have bonded over their stories. I want to tell you all about them but cannot do them justice. Every one of them is someone I would want to have at my fire pit. Every one of them I would not have met or known without LTYM. We are just too different and from such different walks of life.

Photo Credit: Amy/Emily Photography

We all had pre-show jitters. Laughing over the term “nervous peeing” (yes, it’s a thing and I did it often). As the pre-show pictures were being taken (and a little of champagne was sipped) I watched these beautiful women from every walk of life laugh and talk like they had known one another for decades.

We had only met twice before.

We will forever be bonded to one another over this experience. Sounds sappy, but true. I can never (or would want to) unhear their stories. They are etched in my brain and in my heart. I have watched them evolve over two rehearsals, last minute re-writes and gather their courage to lay their souls bare. That we all felt safe to share was clearly due to our veteran director and show producers. They gave us advice (talk SLOW), encouragement (you will NOT fall up the steps) and bolstered our confidence as show time grew closer.

We entered the Church together, I anxiously scanned the crowd. There were my Spaulding chicks shouting from the back. I cannot explain how their cheers calmed my jitters. I was second to last to speak. Then almost too quickly, it was my turn at the podium.

Photo Credit: Amy/Emily photography

Yes my legs are in a very awkward position. I couldn’t figure out how to uncross them without tipping over so I left them as is as I read my piece (tune back tomorrow, since this is already a novel). When I was done I still hadn’t seen David. I walk back to my seat feeling elated that I did it without breaking down (it was close) and worried that David was stuck in traffic somewhere. As I as down I glanced to my left and see this face:

Photo credit: Amy/Emily photography

David had worked with a few friends to give me the surprise of the day. They had hidden behind the podium so I would not realize she was there. Lisa (my best friend from Junior High) had driven in from Baltimore to surprise me. Thank the Gods that I did not see her before the show. I never would have made it through the show.

But I did. I made it through the show. Thanks to the LTYM producers, my cast mates and my friends.

My Spaulding family: Julie, Christine & Lauren with Lisa and David. Thank you for always encouraging and supporting me

Then came the after party. Can you say make your own Mojito? SheKnows Media hosted all of the cast and guests at Lolitas. Where I had the best Mojito ever made. Seriously, if you’re in Boston and are thirsty check them out. You will NOT be disappointed.

Thank you to Listen to Your Mother, Blogher and SheKnows Media for a day I will never forget, for friendships that were made and for the mojitos. Thank you to Amy/Emily Photography for the beautiful photos. It truly was a day to remember, for all of us.

I cannot quote Phyllis, but she said something so eloquently in her closing remarks I hope I can adequately repeat her feelings:

We all have stories. Write them down, submit them. Even if you are “not” a writer. Half the cast were non-bloggers. Just women with stories and the courage to share them. Your story should be shared as well.

Because together our stories bond us.