(Scattered, not very well-written recollection. Apologies.)

I always dreamed of seeing Josh Groban live, ever since I discovered him when I was in elementary school at the age of 11. I didn't get the chance until 2011, when I was 18, and it is an experience I will never forget. I had some amazing seats, and I sat next to this older couple. I talked to the older man next to me before the concert started, and I remember Otis Redding's "Sittin' On the Dock of the Bay" came on the speakers. I commented on this and the man said "you shouldn't know who Otis Redding is!", implying that I'm too young. It was pretty fun.

When Josh finally came on, I teared up. When he played "Oceano", my favorite song of his, it was full-blown tears time. I was so happy I got to experience this. I snapped a few photos, too, that I'm rather proud of. They're some of my best concert photos. The next time I cried came when he played "You Are Loved (Don't Give Up)". That song has gotten me through so much, and getting to hear and see him perform it in person was awe-inspiring.

This concert was so long ago that all of the specifics beyond those blur together into one mess of amazing.

After the concert, I heard from some ladies walking by that he was doing a signing in the back of the venue. I managed to get far enough up that a lady could take my tour t-shirt from me and make sure he signed it. I was maybe a foot too far away to do it myself. I am grateful to that lady now, I treasure that t-shirt. I have it framed and everything.

I'm sure I'll see him live again, but this was my first experience, and it was life-changing.