January 7, 1986, 9:30pm. also known as the night before my 19th birthday. I went to bed that night dreaming of the perfect birthday present.
I had been throwing hints for months at my parents, "I would love to go to one of their concerts." I would say in the car when I heard one of Europe's songs on the radio.
Like any other average mother and father they would smile and nod like they didn't hear a word I just said.
I knew that it was about a slim chance as winning the lottery cause let's be honest, who actually gets exactly what they want for their birthday or not.
I ignored all of these doubtful thoughts as I turned over my pillow onto the cool side one last time, and drifted off to dream about the perfect birthday.
The next morning I woke up expecting to see an envelope with two freshly pressed white tickets inside that read 'Europe Final Countdown World Tour', but instead I woke up feeling more like Samantha Baker in 'Sixteen Candles'. I was oblivious to my parents who pretty much ignored me the whole day.
Today was my day, I was supposed to get my way, and of course, Joey Tempest aka my 'Jake Ryan'.
It felt as if I were in a nightmare but there was no pinching myself to wake up from this one. it was real.
I thought I would be spending this day kicking back with my best friend Carrie laughing over how much fun we were going to have at the concert. But, no I spent my day doing chores hearing, "Lauren can you do this, Lauren, can you do that?".
"Yes." I would say, cursing under my breath.
"There's one last thing I need you to do for me before I leave you alone." my mom said.
"Can you wash that load of clothes on the dryer, and make sure to check your father's coat good, because the last time he washed his watch." she said with a smile.
"Sure." I replied as hastefully as possible.
"Thanks." she responded.
I relaxed and took my time before doing the laundry, I threw the clothes into the washer as fast as possible contemplating whether or not to check the coat.
"Aww, screw it." I said as I threw the coat in. "They forgot my birthday." I thought as I seen a white envelope fall out of my dad's pocket that read, 'For Lauren.'
I opened it and found two tickets it was then that I realized everything that had happend that day before the laundry was all just a huge distraction to make me believe that they really did forget about me, making this gift all the more meaningful.
They hadn't forgotten about me, and they had listened. I was grateful but also guilty because I really did have two great parents who I had doubted.
I immedately called Carrie with excitment laced in my voice as she picked up the phone, "Carrie, clear your schedule. were going to see Europe on tour!" I shouted.
"What, Lauren, how we can't just fly halfway around the world to see a band for one night, our parents would ground us for life."
I sighed, because I knew that she was right. Then I convincingly said, "Well, why would they buy me two tickets if I wasn't allowed."
"Okay." she sighed, "I'll coax my parents into it."
I was never a rebellious teenager and I always did as expected, even though I neglected to tell my parents the concert was going to be a thousand miles away, but they never asked, so I didn't tell. and after all, they already paid for the tickets. It would be disrespectful not to use them. Right?
