1000 miles in one day + bus stalking at 3am =

[Laura1229]

So... I left last Tues morning from south of Houston headed to St. Louis, MO.  I had planned on leaving out early -- about 5am --- but my daughter was sick.  So, when 5am rolled around, I hadn't even been to bed yet.

I got some sleep & woke up at 9am, debating on going or not.  I was SO dead tired & behind schedule --- but it was already paid for, the rental car packed ---- screw it, I'm going!

So off I go at 10am.  I made it all the way to Texarkana before stopping for gas, crossed Arkansas --- hit Little rock in the midst of rush hour in a thunderstorm, stupid GPS let me run out of highway & had to finish up the trip through the mountains in the middle of the night.

Found a hotel about 2am & crashed.

Spent all of the next day staking out the venue --- security ran everyone off in the early afternoon, so I spent most of the rest of the day sitting in a Burger King down the street.  Finally got let in for the show --- awesome!  Totally worth the trip.

Get back to my hotel around 1am & got to talking to another girl in the parking lot.  She was from Iowa.  We swapped stories and contact info & BS'd for quite a while. 

Then.... the call came.  Waffle House!  Exit 2!  270 south!

2am, exhausted, speeding down unfamiliar highways in a state I've never been to before.  20 miles (and 5 minutes) later, we arrive.  There it is in all it's glory:

Tour Bus in the Waffle House Parking lot

I found a place to park --- 2 blocks away -- and made my way to the front of the crowd.  Yeah --- he was there... snapping picture with girls inside.  Security informed us we needed to be in groups of 4 or 5, 1 photo per group.

Hell!  I didn't have a group!  I didn't know anybody!  I just drove 14 freakin' hours to get there!!  Well crap. 

So, I decided to just try & snap a few picture through the window --- maybe some would come out okay.

Then.. he came out.  He posed for a few group photos, then started slowly making his way back to toward the bus.  I knew I wouldn't get my pic that day... but that's ok.  I understand.  He's got to get to Memphis & it's already 3am.

Then, he looked my way -- he looked SO exhausted -- and I just instinctively threw my arm up in the air. --- This is where I need to rewind a little --

Back in March, I caught up with him when the busses were parked by the security fence in Bossier City, LA.  He signed my wrist through the fence.... which is now permanent:

He did a double take, gave me a quick wink & that smirky little half grin.  I just nodded to him and stayed where I was.

That's when it happened.

He posed for a group shot, then took a step towards me.  Stopped to pose with another group, then took another step towards me.  Four or 5 times this happened.... then he got within reach and pulled me to him.

He gave me a big bear hug and asked how I was doing.  I think I replied ---  lol --- it's all kind of fuzzy. 

He asked where my group was .....uh oh, this is where he's going to tell me he can't do the pic. 

"I don't have one", I said. "I drove up from Houston --- I don't know anyone here".

"By yourself???" he asked.

"Yeah, sure -- you guys mean everything to me"

It was then that it happened... he pulled me to him, hugged me to his chest, and told security "Take it"

1,000 miles in one day + bus stalking at 3am = The Waffle House w/ Donnie Wahlberg

 

[singedwingangel]

Jul. 7, 2009 at 1:52 AM

Well too cool, I would have loved to see that concert.. That right there is a shot for posterity, He is a good looking guy and a sweetheart...

[Lb128f]

Jul. 7, 2009 at 3:09 AM

Sweeeeeeeeet!!! Good for YOU!!

[youngmom91305]

Jul. 7, 2009 at 10:22 AM

Wow, lucky girl. He looks so tired...poor Donnie, lol!!! I'm so happy for you. Maybe just maybe me and my best friend will get our facetime someday. I am praying to gad that they put NC back on the tour since they had to cancel it.

[melkayan]

Jul. 8, 2009 at 8:59 AM

this is the stuff that will immortalize them forever:)

[suziejo21]

Jul. 14, 2009 at 5:08 PM

That was a great story. Im gonna be meeting them tomorrow and im super excited. First 5* so wish me luck. I hope to get lucky too:)