MJ B-day 2014

I discovered the perfect gift for my birthday this year - tickets to see....

I found the tour schedule while poking around on their website.  They were going to be in Durham on November 5 - perfect!  For those who may have missed the single best vocal band on last year's Sing Off, here is one of my favorite covers they perform.

We thoroughly enjoyed the drive up to Durham, which was only about 45 minutes.  The trees were in full Fall colors.  I took a picture and I wish you could see better, the road was lined with beautiful yellows and reds and oranges.

The concert didn't start until 8:00pm, so we had some time to eat dinner.  I wanted to try something totally different - tapas! We found Taberna on Main Street, downtown.  We ate things like Croquettas Serrano Ham and Bistec a la Plancha.  Chris was not having a good time at all, as he didn't like the small portions nor the hard to decipher menu.  Dinner could have been better, if we both had enjoyed what we were eating, but we tried to make the best of it.

The Carolina Theater was only a few blocks away, so we hurried over after dinner to await the much anticipated (by me anyway) show.  No pictures allowed during the performance, so there's not much I can share, sadly.

While in the lobby waiting to be seated we walked through a small historical exhibit

This theater was restored to it's historical version. At one point one of the band members was asking if everyone could hear them really good, and said "how about you guys up in the Lincoln seats?" The balcony had to have been the best view!

Just goofing around, waiting for the show to start

Chris does not like country music, so I know it was a stretch for me to have dragged him to this concert.  He wasn't on his best behavior, and I ended up skipping the line afterward, where I could have gotten a picture with the band.  Not the best end to the evening, and I have to say, I wasn't too happy about it!  Unbeknownst to me, in the weeks following our night out in Durham, Chris had felt really bad about not being more supportive of my birthday concert.  He penned a sad sounding email to Home Free, and begged them to help get him out of the dog house.  (I never would have thought to do that - amazing!) Imagine my surprise when I get an envelope in the mail from the band! They had responded and sent me a signed picture..  I have such an amazing husband!

I hug it on my fridge to remind me of how thoughtful my hubby can be!

This nice gift from my hubby made this a wonderful and warm memory of a birthday I will always treasure - way better than the actual concert!