Unexpected Pleasures

I paid pity on my nieces and bought their tickets to the Jon Schmidt concert at Thanksgiving Point last night. They were supposed to be a really wonderful birthday gift for their husbands, both of whom celebrate in September. Poor girls never took into account the concert was the same evening as BYU's opening game against Oklahoma.

Anyway, we don't have Comcast and never get to actually watch the games, so I asked Brent if he'd be interested and he agreed. That took care of two of the four tickets. Tonya was excited to come with us and she took another ticket. No problem. But I began to think we were never going to find someone to take the fourth ticket. The problem was we just weren't asking the right people. Tonya finally asked her sister-in-law Mary who, just a few hours before showtime, responded "Yes!!!!!!!!!"

(Doesn't this shirt look darling with Tonya's dark hair?)

(Show opener: Avenue of Embers)

I mean, look for yourself at the number of people who DID want to attend the concert. We've been to his Thanksgiving Point concerts before, but never dreamed this would be such a busy one. I guess this is what you do in Utah County when BYU is playing in another state and you don't have access to cable.

The fun part was when the word started to drift through the crowd that the game was over. Little pinholes of light from opened texts started popping up all over during one of his great songs. Distracted conversations started spreading as people shared the news with those around them. Finally, the song came to an end and people could no longer contain themselves. The entire crowd erupted into excited cheers and shouts of "Cougars Won!!!!!" I confess I screamed, too. Poor Brent's eardrums.

I've been a big fan of Jon Schmidt's music ever since Mike came home from his mission and insisted Tonya learn how to play "Waterfall." I still get goosebumps when Jon plays "Waterfall" at Thanksgiving Point, and they turn the water on the waterfalls one by one until all ten are flowing, tumbling, splashing down the side of the mountain.
Later, after the water was turned off, and the sun was turned off, the lights came up on the rock. And it was a beautiful backdrop for his concert.
It was a really great show! Weather turned out perfect - not too warm, not too cool. No bugs. No wind. And a full moon that wouldn't quit. Sorry Aaron and Josh. You missed out on the best birthday night ever as far as I'm concerned.

(Jon debuted his new album featuring this song. It was amazing live!)