An Evening with Idina Menzel

There are so many awesome non-profits that truly just want to help our families heal. They know that they can't take away all the stress that comes along this road, but they can plant of seeds of hope and joy every once in a while. It never ceases to amaze me that these amazing Americans just want to bring smiles to our families any way they can.

Operation Ward 57 and I had a conversation about tickets to concerts for the families a few weeks ago. I consulted a few other wives and made a list of people who were playing in the DC/MD/VA area. The fabulous Brittney got to work. I told her there were no worries and that we get what we get. Idina Menzel's management team quickly came back with a big yes to tickets and threw in Meet & Greet passes as well. Since the show was sold out we were only able to get five tickets. But you get what you get and don't throw a fit. I filled those seats quickly with one of Operation Ward 57's representatives, myself, a fellow caregiver and her daughter and a wounded warrior. A group of five turned out to be perfect. We all fit in our van and we could easily stick together.

Yesterday we left early with expectations of traffic. Instead we arrived extremely early and decided to treat ourselves to a delicious meal before the concert. We were so early we were seated immediately at the Cheesecake Factory. Many people are very shocked at that last sentence. Yes you read it correctly. We walked in and were seated immediately. We had a great dinner and got to chat and get to know each other a little better. Then we loaded up and went to the concert.

We had great seats and the concert was amazing. Idina not only sang all of my favorite songs of hers, but she also shared many of her personal stories with us. I just love storyteller sessions like we had last night. My favorite part came when she chose two teenage girls from the audience to join her in singing "Take Me or Leave Me" from Rent. She made those girls lives. It was such an amazing experience for them and it was great to see them so happy and excited. My life has been made because I heard Idina sing so many of my favorite songs. You really must go and see her if you get a chance. She is phenomenal. Here's a pic of her on stage.

 The concert ended and we moved on to the meet and greet portion. It was a very small group of people and she got to us very quickly. She was very happy to meet us. However, when I told her who we were she lit up. I swear she would have talked to us all night, but they were literally kicking us out.

Here you can see we were all chatting it up.....

This is me explaining to Idina how Operation Ward 57 contacted her management team and helped us get there. Laura, Op 57's rep even brought her some shirts. She was excited about the shirts. We even had one for her super cute hubby, Taye Diggs.

And lastly this is my favorite picture.....

When we left the meet and greet I was grabbed, hugged and thanked for putting together a great night. The smiles on my friends' faces truly warmed my heart. I know that our road is not easy at all. I know I cannot make it any easier, but with help I can make smiles like these happen!

Many, many thanks to Operation Ward 57 and Idina Menzel's management team for helping me put this incredible girls' night out together. We planted some seeds of joy in hearts last night. I am so thankful that we are all on the same team!!