That Time This Texan Hobnobbed With Stevie Nicks

My kids and I were barreling along a Texas highway towards Fort Worth. The conversation turned to Stevie Nicks and her current tour. My daughter and I are both Stevie fans. I've been listening to Fleetwood Mac since middle school.

My daughter searched up where Stevie was on her tour and - lo and behold - she was playing AT&T Stadium in Arlington that very night. Along with Billy Joel. Our overnight lodging was only 30 minutes from the stadium.

It felt like kismet. We couldn't not go. We were driving directly toward her. My daughter kept reminding me this would probably be Stevie's last tour. We scrambled and I bought tickets.

My son agreed to be our taxi. Several hours later he dropped us off at an intersection near the stadium. The girls and I traversed the expansive parking lot, wishing we had some cooler concert wear. Maybe a flowy black skirt and a lacy shawl.

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We stepped into the massive venue and started hiking up the zig-zag ramp, not realizing our seats were on the very top level. Why we didn't stop and take an elevator? Not sure. I think the adrenaline and awe were propelling us. My daughter and I were grinning from ear to ear.

Then we stepped out into the arena and Jana had a moment. Let's just say I'm not the biggest fan of being high up in the open air with only a thin piece of glass between me and oblivion (if you've ever been in the nosebleeds at AT&T, you know what I'm talking about). I planted myself in my seat and did not stand up again until we left two hours later.

That said, the concert experience was amazing. I may or may not have teared up a little. There's something special about being in the same room with an artist whose music you've listened to for decades.

One of my favorite songs of all time - across all genres and artists - is "Sara". Though this tune wasn't included in that particular night's set, we heard many beloved melodies, and soaked it all in. I sang along loudly to "Stand Back", an anthem for me during an especially difficult season of my life.

There's just something to Stevie too. She has a certain calm about her. A hard-earned wisdom. And there she was, right there on the stage and in front of us on the jumbotron. There's something about her voice and her presence that feels resolute and empowering.

That resoluteness and Stevie's music have buoyed me for years. It was an epic evening. So grateful for the experience and that I was able to share it with my girls.