Comfort Zones & Classic Rock

Growing up, most of my friends were embarrassed by their parents. If they weren't embarrassed by them, they were mad at them. If they weren't embarrassed or mad, they were annoyed. I can't tell you how many times I sat with a friend who was on the phone with a parent, listening to them rattle off chores and demands. After hanging up, the friend would roll their eyes and say, "God, they're so annoying."

I never felt that way about my parents. Of course, we had our difficulties. I'm not a perfect kid and they aren't perfect parents. My parents never tried to be my "best friend". But they also never made me feel awkward about asking them serious questions or made me feel bad for asking. I always had an open relationship with them. I consider them some of my best friends, but I recognize their authority, and they did a great job instilling that in me.

This brings me to my story.

Last weekend I flew out to Boston to surprise my dad at his classic rock band's first concert. Let me just tell you a few things right off the bat about my dad:

- He loves classic rock

- He also loves Jesus

- He also loves me

- He's super freaking talented

- He's super freaking cool

Ever since I was little my dad has played music. He was in a rock band growing up, and I've heard many tales about when he would play at bars and all the cool "pre-conversion" stuff dad's aren't supposed to tell their kids about. I've heard him play classic rock many times. Whether it was at a Graff party, family event, backyard BBQ, or in the mornings when everyone was sleeping and would rather he not. This was the first time I saw him play in a band that was solely rock.

I asked Ben back in March if I could fly out for the concert and surprise him. He was cool with it, so I booked two super early flights and was so pumped.

Anyone can tell you that I'm not the best at keeping secrets. I like to think I am, and I will tell you over and over that I can keep one. I was going to prove to my parents that I could, in fact, keep this a secret.

So in not telling my parents, I did the next best thing and told everyone else. Well, none of my siblings knew, so that counts too.

Anyway, the week leading up to the surprise I really needed everything to be perfect. The weather in Cleveland was perfect all week, but of course they were calling for snow on the day I flew out. My anxiety was getting the best of me. I couldn't sleep. I kept picturing everything going wrong. There were too many intricate details.

I remember walking through the airport, as the snow fell outside and Ben drove away. I stood staring at the flight board, seeing the "ON TIME" light shine next to the "BOSTON" light. I had a quick burst of doubt flow through me. "This is never going to work out, just go home". That lasted 2 seconds before I thought of my dad. He was going to be so happy. Not to mention my mom!

I got on the plane, landed safely, got Sandy's car, and successfully surprised my family. To top it off, my best friends were there and so were my Irish cousins (Who also surprised my family). It was a great weekend, to say the least.

This made me reflect a lot on my trust in God. It's so easy to stay home and not go anywhere, in fear of failure, or things not going your way. It's sooooo EASY to stay inside our comfort zone. I found that the one thing that always pulls me out of that way of thinking is love. Knowing how much it would excite my parents pushed me forward. Think about all of the people you would do something like that for. What would you do for them?

Some of you might think, "well, it was an easy flight and not that difficult to plan". Some people go to the literal ends of the Earth for people they love. Well, for someone like me, this was the ends of the Earth. I hate flying. I hate getting up early. I hate not telling people my plans. I hate feeling unorganized. I hate snow. I hate feeling out of control. I literally had to pull myself out of my shell to pull off something so small.

So, here's some of what my weekend looked like. And if anyone wants to see some great videos of my dad's band, check out this link: Blacktab

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The next time you feel like curling up into a ball because it's easier: don't. You'll be so happy you didn't. I love you mom and dad and I would do ANYTHING for you. And try as you might, you'll never embarrass me. You're just too cool :)

-Taylor