Teddy Swims and Thunder Storms
Some days are meant to test your patience, your sense of humor, and your ability to go with the flow, literally. Back in July, my friend Trina invited me and my daughter Hannah to see Teddy Swims in concert along the beautiful lakefront of Lake Michigan. We had Teddy on repeat for weeks, belting out his soulful songs in anticipation of what we thought would be an unforgettable musical night. Little did we know, it would turn into an unforgettable adventure.
The day started out ordinary enough, until it wasn’t. Road closures, detours, and rush-hour construction kept blocking my way to pick up my daughter. Every time I thought I’d found a shortcut, another road was closed or traffic came to a standstill. At one point, ambulances and police cars zoomed by, confirming there had been a serious accident ahead and the road was closed. By then, Hannah was my co-pilot, tracking me on her phone and guiding me through back roads just so I could make it to her.
We were already behind schedule, but Trina had a car waiting for us. With laughter, sighs, and maybe a little eye-rolling at technology’s so-called shortcuts, we finally made it. We settled into our hotel, grabbed an Uber, and were off to the concert.
Stepping into the VIP section felt like a dream. Comfortable outdoor lounge chairs, a breeze off Lake Michigan, and a perfect view of the stage, it was everything we’d hoped for. We even had a roof over our heads. A sprinkle of rain had passed earlier, but we felt snug and secure. “Let it rain,” we joked. “We’ll be fine.”
When Teddy Swims finally came on stage, his energy was magnetic. His voice wrapped around us like velvet, and for those first few songs, everything was magic.
But Mother Nature had other plans. The sprinkle turned pouring rain turned into sideway sheets of rain, turned into a sudden flash flood pounding against the stage and soaking our once-cozy section. We leapt from our chairs, dodging water that poured in from the ceiling and cracks around us. Teddy sang through four songs before the thunder, lightning, and sheer force of the storm forced him off the stage.
Soon, the announcement came that the concert was canceled. Thousands of people, most without umbrellas or ponchos, poured into the venue, parking lot and streets. Employees were screaming, “You must leave now!” The storm raged, unleashing curtains of rain, booming thunder, and blinding streaks of lightning. Chaos doesn’t even begin to describe it.
Before heading out, we ducked into the bathroom one last time, where I spotted salvation, an open roll of garbage bags. We grabbed them, poked holes for our heads, and turned them into makeshift ponchos. Not glamorous, but somewhat effective.
By then, flash flood warnings were in effect. Water flowed like rivers down the streets, rising above our ankles. With no car of our own, we joined the mass exodus, trudging block after block in the storm, my friend’s sandals slipping on and off her feet and we were shaking our heads in disbelief. After what felt like ages, we finally found shelter under the entrance of a museum while we waited with others hoping for a ride that seemed would never come. There were too many people requiring wheels and shelter.
When our Uber finally pulled up, the driver was kind, calm, and blessedly equipped with leather seats that welcomed three drenched, weary, but grateful women into his car.
Back at the hotel, hot showers and cozy pajamas never felt so luxurious. Clothes were draped everywhere to dry, and I silently thanked myself for tossing in a dress at the last minute. Hannah’s extra sandals saved me the next morning when my shoes were still squishy.
It wasn’t the night we expected, but it’s a story we’ll be telling for years. Sometimes, life’s detours and downpours remind us that joy isn’t always found in perfection, it’s found in the adventure, the laughter, and the unexpected moments shared with people we love. Teddy may have only sung four songs, but the experience gave us a lifetime memory.
Have you ever had a night where everything went wrong but turned into a memorable adventure? Stay open to the unexpected, pack the extra shoes, and always grab the garbage bags. You never know when life’s concert will come with a flood. Here’s to Teddy Swims and thunder storms, definitely a night we’ll never forget.
xo Sheryl
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