Hello, Greensboro!
We got into Greensboro at about 10 a.m. and we were welcomed with swarms of red Taylor Swift trucks. When I saw them it really start to hit me. I had managed to stay pretty calm throughout this trip up until that point. When I saw Taylor’s face on the side of those trucks I literally started tearing up! We drove around the arena a few times to scope the place out since we had never been there. We were informed that we would not be allowed to park until 12 noon, so we decided to go get something to snack on and walk around a store.
Swifties! We’re REaDy for Club Red!
We made our way to the arena to see where the front entrance was when we ran into a couple of Swifties by the back entrance- obviously die-hard, since we were literally the first ones there. I immediately ran to them and greeted them with a hug. Complete strangers, is that weird? Oh well! We ended up striking small talk and having a total fangirling session.
A few more Swifties joined us in the next couple of hours. While we were sitting out there, my amazing boyfriend was talking to security and getting on their good side. He found out a lot of good insider information for the night and also the next night (Raleigh). He ended up finding out that Taylor wasn’t at the arena yet and that she would be arriving at around 4:30. I spread the news to a select few and we all decided that we were going to hang out and wait for Taylor to arrive so that we could greet her and hopefully get noticed. Hours went by and we were getting so amped up! We talked and talked about how excited we were and how we would DIE if we met Taylor. Some of us exchanged information and seating information so we could keep in touch. It started to rain for a little bit but we didn’t move! Luckily, it came and went. It was actually quite refreshing because it was getting REALLY hot!
When the clock hit 4 p.m. we started getting really anxious. The group I was with decided we were going to move to the other side of the street, away from everyone else, so that we would be one of the first people to see when Taylor’s car pulled in. 4:30 came and went and still no Taylor. We were getting bummed and wondering if the security was lying to us. But a few minutes later, a security guard came over to our group to let my boyfriend know the details. He said Taylor was just now getting to the airport and they were going to be on their way. The airport was only about 10 minutes away from the arena so that meant she would be there really soon!
The Moment I Knew…
Every car that pulled in was getting a stare down from us. But finally, it happened! A Black GMC and a Silver Chevy SUV pulled in and we looked over at the guards. They nodded so we knew it was her! We started freaking out and screaming. We held up all of our signs and gifts for Taylor and continued to scream. They passed by us rather quickly. Then I saw her… MAMA SWIFT was in the front seat of the silver SUV and she SAW ME and WAVED. I started freaking out. I was so happy that she saw me and saw the gift I had for her and Taylor. The security quickly closed the gates as soon as they drove in so we all ran up to the gates and stuck our faces against them; desperate to see even a glance of Tay.
This Wait is Treacherous…
After all of that excitement, it was about 5:00. The doors for the arena opened at 5:30 so it was time to get in line. I got my ticket ready and anxiously found a place in line. I was getting so excited that I started to feel kind of sick. I tried to get myself to take a few deep breaths, but it was no use. I was about to see Taylor! A few people asked if they could take pictures of me and I said of course. I struck conversations with a lot of people in line and they told me they loved my outfit and said it must have taken me forever to finish. I jokingly said, “Ah you know, only 180 days!” (I literally had been planning for this day for ½ a year.)
Why would you want to break a perfectly good heart?...
After what seemed like forever, the doors finally opened! Good thing too. I was carrying a lot of things and it was all starting to get really heavy. I had my huge concert bag and two signs that I was carrying all by myself! I walked up to the door and as a security guard was looking through my bag she took one look at my poster and said, “you’re not going to be able to bring that in if you have floor seats!” I was like you have got to be kidding me… ) This is what happened to be at the previous Red Tour in Columbia. Except that time, we didn’t even have floor seats. Instead of freaking out I started brain storming ways to get it through the ticket check. I was wearing it around my neck so it shouldn’t be an issue with having floor seats; but they never listen! I took the signs from around my neck and placed the smaller one in my bag and came up with this genius plan to wear the other one on my shoulder like a handbag BEHIND my huge Taylor bag. When they went to go scan my ticket, I would hide it with my bag and sneak it in. I worked really hard on these posters; I at least wanted people to see them!
IT WORKED! Thank you, Jesus! I would have been HEARTBROKEN if they got taken away. They checked my tickets and I walked through the double doors. I was so nervous for some reason.
All you are is MEAN…
I walked around checking out everyone’s cool signs and outfits. I got dozens of dirty looks and whispers. This night I decided I was going to go straight to find my seat so I could familiarize myself with the stage and how everything was laid out. I was hoping to make some friends that were sitting next to me too since I was all alone.
