I still can't believe it happened.
My imagination ran wild when the dates for Taeyeon's concert were announced and I realized the last night fell on my birthday. I started having daydreams of holding up a sign or something to get her attention and maybe wish me a happy birthday. I imagined myself getting up to sing a song with her.
Only in dreams, right?
The first concert was really emotional. For some reason Taeyeon was having trouble singing. When it seemed like she couldn't go on, the crowd sang for her. She nearly broke down during the first song, “I.” Yoona was in attendance and Taeyeon asked her to come on stage. Yoona helped give her strength and encouragement. She felt better but still she struggled. She stayed backstage a little longer than usual after each VTR.
Then came the talk part. I didn't know about the notebook you could sign and leave a message for Taeyeon. She chose messages to read and a mic was brought down to talk to the fan if they included their seat number. I started to formulate my plan.
Second concert. Halloween is Taeyeon's favorite day of the year. The stage was dressed up with large jack-o-lanterns and there was even a giant Jack Skellington. We were given jack-o-lantern lightsticks. Taeyeon was in a great mood wearing a Halloween themed dress. Taeyeon had a lot of fun picking people out of the crowd who came wearing masks and handing out signed cds. This time I wrote something in the notebook but she didn't read it. One more chance tomorrow.
The final show, Taeyeon was so happy and energetic right out of the gate. Her performance of “I" to start was easily the best of the weekend. She was so bright and cheerful, you could tell she was really feeling the love and support culminating from the first six shows.
Talk part coming. Here goes nothing. When Taeyeon was getting settled into her chair after getting the notebook, I yelled out (in Korean) that it was my birthday. She responded to other people yelling things in previous concerts so I thought this was my best chance. After I said it was my birthday, she wished me a happy birthday and everyone clapped. Then I said I had a birthday wish and asked for a microphone. After they brought me one, I said I didn't speak Korean very well and jokingly shook the mic like Taeyeon did when talking to foreign fans during the concert. I told Taeyeon I wanted to sing her a song and asked if she would sing with me. I don't speak any Korean so I want to say a huge thank you to my good friend @Moonsoshi9 who helped me with the phrases.
I was born in 1976 so I have an inside joke about Kangta and Taeyeon’s duet, 7989. I like to imagine it as 7689 instead. I sang Kangta's first verse but unfortunately Taeyeon couldn't remember the lyrics to her verse. The crowd helped her a bit. But here is the part that really touched me. She didn't want to give up and asked me if I knew Breath. Unfortunately it takes me a while to memorize songs so I haven’t gotten around to that one. She asked about other songs like Gemini but I don't have the lyrics memorized either.
She would say something and then I would have to apologize and say I didn't understand. She then realized I couldn't speak Korean. She asked where I was from in her cute English, and she seemed a bit shocked when I said America. She did her cute mic shake. Then she said “I love you" in English and “Thank you for coming.” We made hearts over our heads at each other, she said “I love you" again and I said “I love you" and “Thank you" in Korean.
The rest of the concert I was a blubbery mess. Taeyeon killed it. When it was time for her “last” song, U R, we cracked open the lightsticks we were given. Three or four rows each had their own color, forming a rainbow sea of lightsticks from the back to the front. As she finished the song, we all stood and cheered. Taeyeon’s eyes sparkled and shined brightly in the reflection of our love.
The encore chat was “Gomawo” and as she launched into the encore song Gemini, the entire crowd started singing along. Taeyeon was surprised and if possible she looked even happier. It was an amazing experience and definitely a birthday I will never forget.