first solo concert

• Jane and Katie, Auntie Becca and Val came from Kamloops this morning so you guys could go the Shawn Mendes concert tonight.  I got you guys awesome tickets for $17!!!  What can you even buy for $17 these days.  Neither Auntie Becca or I like Shawn Mendes, so we decided it was time for your first solo concert
• Lila, you were heart broken you couldn't come with us.  I felt so bad.  Daddy said you cried and cried after we left.  You missed me.  You still want to be with me 24/7
• We took the skytrain down to Rogers Arena.  Katie, obviously, you were the one we entrusted with the tickets and the spending money.  We dropped you off at the gate, with strict instructions to be smart and make good choices (you were super appreciative), then Auntie Becca and I left to go on a little date
• First order of business...get Becca some poutine.  She loves fries and gravy, and can't get it in the States, so she always makes a point of having it when she's up here.  We went to Smoke's Poutinerie and got the traditional poutine.  Delicious!
• We then made our way down to English Bay to watch the sun set.  Vancouver is such a show off.  It was a perfect summer evening.  The air was warm, there were lots of people out and about, the scenery was spectacular, and the company was great
• Becca and I were laughing about when we were kids and used to pretend we were Arial and sing Part of Your World as we sat on a big rock.  So then of course, she found a big rock and reenacted it.  Hilarious
• We made our way back to the arena.  It was beautiful.  The moon was full and shining bright between the buildings
• When you guys came out of the gate, you were bouncing.  Literally.  Like, you couldn't stop jumping up and down.  Then you said, "We got a large Pepsi!!!!"  Ya...couldn't tell at all.  Hahaha
• I loved hearing all your stories about everything Shawn Mendes did and said.  I loved  your excitement.  I loved your joy.  I loved the way you handled yourself in a "grown up" situation.  I loved that I felt comfortable trusting you to be on your own.  You're great kids
• ps.  do you remember your last concert with Val?  Selena Gomez.  So fun.  Hopefully we can keep going to concerts and make even more fun memories