On Tuesday, August 16, 2000, one of my many wishes came true. I met my favorite band in the whole world. I met Hanson at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I was pretty bummed when the New Orleans concert sold out in 10 minutes and left me ticketless. About two days later, my aunt (who works at the Mall of Louisiana) informed me that Hanson was going to be doing a signing there the day before their concert. I was so excited!
So my best friend, Angela (also a Hanson fan), and I went with my parents to Baton Rouge, about 2 hours away from my home. Hanson wasn't arriving at the mall until 4:00 pm, so we got there at about noon. There was already a long line waiting to meet Hanson. Well my parents got in line for Angela and me, while we went up by the table where Hanson would be sitting. We waited there until the crowd made that famous aisle to let Hanson enter their centerstage. It was so amazing. The first brother that I saw with my own eyes was Taylor. I was glad too because I was hoping it would be him.
Angela and I stood there taking pictures of the brothers signing autographs while my parents were in line for us. So we waited until my parents were almost to the front of the line before we cut in with them. So we did and we were about to meet them. The people told everyone that Hanson could only sign one item of each person so the line would move quicker. But I wanted my This Time Around CD signed, along with a napkin from Chick-Filet so I could put it in my scrapbook. So I gave the CD to my dad to give to them, hehe, to make it look like that was his.
So I entered the table the boys were sitting at. I thought I was dreaming! Zac was seated first waiting, and I gave him the napkin and I asked him to sign it. It's funny because he goes, "Um, we have these mini-posters here so you don't have to use this napkin." lol, I felt cool, so I'm like, okay. So we shook hands (and if anyone else has ever shaken Zac's hand recently, do you agree with me when I say IT WAS A HARD HANDSHAKE!), and then he passed it down to Ike, who was seated next. I shook Isaac's hand and he signed it. Then, Taylor. :0) He signed it and I shook his hand. I told him thank you, and then I asked him for a hug. Not many fans did that, but I saw a few. I didn't know what he was going to say though. But he smiled at me and went, "Surrrrre." Then we hugged. I enjoyed that, but I was kinda mad my dad didn't take a picture of that moment. I told him thanks again, and he said, "Thank you so much." Angela and my parents were behind me, and I still don't know how it went with them, but hopefully they enjoyed it as much as I did.
After that, the boys were getting ready to leave, but said a few words and then sang a capella to the chorus of This Time Around. I got all my pictures I wanted and that was one of the greatest and memorable days of my life. I will never forget it. Thank you Mall of Louisiana, Live 102.5 fm, and most importantly, thank you Hanson.
pictures (taken by myself and angela)