Motherhood is already a transformative journey, but often our transformation is subtle. The Eras Tour changed the woman I am today in 3.5 hours, and I wouldn’t change anything about the journey.
I should start by saying that I like Taylor Swift. I have been known to turn up the radio when she comes on just so my kids and I can rock out because sometimes you need to roll all the windows down and sing at the top of your lungs. But I by no means would consider myself a Swiftie. In full transparency, being a Swiftie felt a little cliché for me.
The Preparation
Last November, when I registered for the Eras Tour presale, I sure didn’t know that I would be spit out of Denver Night One a bonafide Easter Egg-obsessed Swiftie—and a completely different human.
We were one of the lucky few that got tickets during the Ticketmaster mess. And SIX tickets no less! So we made plans for my daughter’s 7th birthday, her two cousins and their moms. But I had no idea what was coming.
To be completely honest, the preparation stage was a little overwhelming. There are so many traditions, like SO many, and I wanted to be sure that we got the full experience but also like, hello, who has time for all of that? The bridges to be memorized, phrases to be shouted, outfits to be prepped (what IS my favorite era when I’ve only listened to the radio songs?!) and there are timed claps?! Say WHAT?! (Oh and don’t forget to make the friendship bracelets!)
Our families were flying to Denver from each of the two coasts and you only turn seven once, so we did it all. And even though it was a daunting task, I am so glad we did because the evolution I experienced during those 3.5 hours was nothing short of magical.
The Night of the Show
So many Swifties out there feel like they grew up with Taylor, but for me, it was a night and day thing. I walked in one person and walked out a different one.
Watching her on stage, I realized that Taylor is so much more than a bridge of a song, or a hidden message in a lyric or a friendship bracelet, and definitely more than a perfectly timed clap. She represents the elevation of the female persona. An elevation that goes beyond gender creating this world where you can be a strong leader, but also cry over a heartbreak.
Where you can be direct and tell others that they messed up but also be apologetic for making a mistake. It doesn’t have to be one or the other, it can be both. You can be both. And she is creating a space for my seven-year-old daughter to grow up remembering that.
And well, I needed that. But the best part, she didn’t do it alone. She did it with billions of Swifties all over the world. And once I realized I was a part of this community, this movement, there was no going back. I can be unapologetically myself with positivity, humility and kindness radiating always.
Everything about the day was pure magic. Swifties exchanging bracelets, wearing incredible outfits, often handmade, giggling and dancing and having the time of their lives, but doing all of these things because it makes THEM happy, not for someone else.
Thank you, Swifties!
If you are diehard Swiftie for the last 17 years (or some variation of that), I want to say thank you. Thank you for creating this incredible community of strong humans. Of people that are accepting and share their joy and excitement as if no one is watching, but also so happy when they find something in common with someone because at a T. Swift show, that is insanely easy.
Being on the other side of this magic is the most connected I have ever felt with a community.
“Long live all the magic we made.”
– Taylor Swift
Have you ever had a specific experience you can connect to changing you? Tell us in the comments!
