Boston – Elizabeth Joy Hadley

2025, Boston, Idaho, Jackson, Summer, Times Square, Trevor, Twin Falls, Wedding

A Summer of Fun: Weddings, Travels, and Memories

August 10, 2025August 10, 2025 elizabethjoyhadley

Well, I have to go back to work tomorrow so I guess that means that summer must come to an end. I still plan to enjoy the outdoors as much as I can even when I’m back at work, but for the most part, the fun of summer is over.

And boy, did I have a lot of fun!

Here is a little look back on arguably one of the biggest summers of my life!

When school got out on May 23rd, I began my summer with laryngitis! As someone who loves to talk, it was really hard! But I quickly recovered in time for my bachelorette party in SLC! Just kidding, I actually still couldn’t talk, but we had a blast nonetheless!

A short while after that, I traveled back home to Massachusetts to get ready for my wedding! I was so lucky I was able to spend almost an entire month in Massachusetts this summer!

A blurry picture of the landing into Boston!

But, it wasn’t all just getting ready for my wedding! Mom and I went to NYC for a day and to Martha’s Vineyard as well.

I was also able to see a lot of my family and friends as well! I just loved being able to spend so much time in my home state!

Nothing a little ice cream and your two best friends can’t fix!

Bounce house fun with Bruce and Victoria!

And then, just like that!! It was WEDDING WEEKEND!! Everyone was in MA and the weekend was just so much fun. All my hard work for a year and a half for the wedding and it paid off! It was really great and I’m sad it’s over. But, also I am glad to have more time to focus on other things! Here are a few pictures from the day.

Then, we spent a few more days in MA doing some fun things, before returning to Idaho.

Can’t go to Boston without going to the Red Sox!

Back in Idaho for a little bit and had some fun with Jackson! We went for Jackson day and we went on a long hike and to pick out a new toy!

Then, I went down to Scottsdale, Arizona for the Josten’s Yearbook Adviser University. Spoiler alert: I loved it! I learned so much and was so excited to learn new things and meet new people!

The resort where the conference was didn’t hurt either!

I must’ve been learning something really good here!

Then I was back in Idaho for a week before Trevor and I went on our honeymoon to Hawaii! We were going on Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America cruise around all the Hawaiian islands. What a crazy trip since the massive earthquake hit Russia while we were there prompting a tsunami warning for where we were. Thank goodness everyone was okay, but it was scary!

The trip was great though, and I would absolutely go back to Hawaii! We loved it!

We went to a luau, the beach a few times, walked the streets of Waikiki Beach, saw the Pearl Harbor memorial, enjoyed an unexpected day at Sea, ate a lot of pineapple, and explored all that we could!

Now, summer is over. I suppose it’s good. Life can’t be all fun and games!

I always love summer, and I’m already looking forward to next summer. But, I’m also excited to see what this year brings! Summer of 2025, you were good to me!

2024, A Day In The Life Of Liz, Andrea Nastri, Andrew Navaroli, Boston, Idaho, journalism, My favorite things, Trevor, Twin Falls

What a great January!

February 1, 2024January 31, 2024 elizabethjoyhadley

Hi Friends! I can’t believe it’s already February! I feel like January was slow and fast. I don’t know, there is part of me that feels like it should be March already, but then another that’s like Wow! Where did January go?

Here’s a recap! Overall, I’d say it was a great month!

The year started in Boston with my besties and my family! I’m so thankful for them!

Flew back to Idaho and immediately went back to work on January 3.

We had a lot of very snowy days! One of the weeks I feel like it snowed every single morning!

One weekend I didn’t leave my house at all because of the snow. I would finish shoveling and immediately have to shovel again!

Went skiing at Sun Valley! Here’s to more skiing in February!

Took way too many photos of Jackson sleeping! He’s just so cute!

Spent some time reading!! Here’s to more reading in February too!

And, even enjoyed some outdoor walks to end the month with these above average temperatures we’ve been having!

My biggest goal for this year is to enjoy things I used to enjoy again. When I was in college and even before that, I had a lot of things I loved to do. Everything from reading, to running, to dancing, cooking, playing my clarinet. There were so many things I loved to do, and I stopped doing all of them because of my job. My entire life revolved around my job, and I want that to STOP in 2024. I want to enjoy the things I used to enjoy again, and enjoy my life. Life is so short and it flies by.

2024, A Day In The Life Of Liz, Idaho, journalism, Reporter, Toothbrush, Twin Falls

This is a weird blog post…

January 31, 2024 elizabethjoyhadley

I got a new toothbrush this past weekend.

You might be wondering, who cares? You also might be thinking, Elizabeth, getting a new toothbrush is very normal, and you should do that more often.

Well, first of all, you’re correct and second of all, it’s one of those electric toothbrushes so I’ve had new heads on them, but the electric part has been the same for the past, almost 5 years.

You see, every single time I look at this toothbrush, I think how it was the very first thing I bought when I moved to Twin Falls, Idaho.

Literally, the very first thing. Before a bed, or a table, or any food. The first thing.

I remember everything about the day I bought it. My mom and I finally made it to Idaho after five long days of driving. It was a Saturday. We had to stay at a hotel that night because I couldn’t move in to my apartment until Monday. I also was starting my new job on Monday. She said, let’s go do some errands, and get you some things you will need.

We went to Costco, and she bought me this toothbrush. The very toothbrush I have used every day since then. Until now.

Now, I have a new one, and when I used the new one for the first time, I was reminded of how much my life has changed since that Saturday at Costco with my mom almost 5 years ago.

I was reminded of all the people I met who I never would have.

All of the places I’ve gone that I never would have.

All of the knowledge I’ve learned that I never would have.

All of the fun I’ve had that I never would have.

All of the horrible days that I never would have.

All of the lessons I have learned that I never would have.

How much more open and accepting I became of people, how much I have grown as a person, a journalist, a friend, a daughter, a member of society. How much more I know myself and who I am and what I want to do for this world.

And it all started with this toothbrush. That day was the first page of this chapter of my life. The most courageous thing I have ever done was buy that tooth brush.

So needless to say, I was so emotional the first time I used to new one, because I started thinking, what will my life look like the next time I get a new tooth brush? Where will I be then? What will my job be? Who will I know then that I don’t know now?

Life is so funny. On that day at Costco, I bet I never thought I’d be thinking about it all these years later. Yet, here I am.

I’d like to thank that tooth brush, for the past 5 years, for making me a better person, a more accepting person, a smarter person, a more whole person. I’d like to thank that toothbrush, for literally, changing my life.

2023, A Day In The Life Of Liz, Book review, Book stores, Books, Library

2023 Books in Review

December 31, 2023 elizabethjoyhadley

I used to read all the time, but for a while I sort of stopped enjoying it. Mostly because I had trouble concentrating on anything other than work. But this year, I made it a goal to read more, and I would say I did that! And, heading into 2024 I will continue that goal and hopefully read even more.

I will do this list from my least favorite book to my most favorite. Here we go!

9.Christmasland by Anne-Marie Meyer
This book was cute, but there wasn’t really much to it. It was about these two friends who won a trip to a town called Christmasland, which was pretty much a typical Hallmark type town. The book was cute, but there wasn’t much meat to it, it was all just too perfect, and also the couple got together way too quickly, there was no challenge to it. I like a slow burn, I guess.

8.Hide Yourself Away by Mary Jane Clark
This book took place in Nantucket, and this was a murder mystery novel. A group of journalists from New York headed to Nantucket to cover a very large story and then get caught up in a murder mystery, and it just gets more twisted as it goes on. I will say, I genuinely had no idea who did the crime until the very end.

7. By The Book by Jasmine Guillory
I love Jasmine Guillory so much. I have read every book by her. This one though was written in the third person and I don’t love books like that. This book was a modern day Beauty and the Beast type story, and ended really cute. I didn’t hate this book, but the third person point of view is just hard for me to love.

6. In A New York Minute by Kate Spencer
This book was about two people who have a horrible and embarrasing meet cute on the subway, and then just continue running into each other in embarrasing ways. The setting of New York City was perfect for this book, because only in a city like that could the meet cute happen. I wish they didn’t get together so late in the book though, they spent almost the whole book preparing us for them to get together and then they finally do, and then the book is over. I wanted more of them together.

5. The Bodyguard by Katherine Center
I really enjoyed this book. It was about a personal and private security firm who are hired to protect a celebrity. There is a lot that happens and there is much more meat to this book than I expected and I really enjoyed it.

4. Drunk on Love by Jasmine Guillory
Like I said earlier, I love Jasmine Guillory. This book did not disappoint. I loved it. It takes place in Napa California on a vineyard and I really love the two points of view so we can understand the boys and the girls point of view. Guillory better write another book soon, I can’t wait to read the next one.

3. Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez
I debated on putting this book for number 2. Let me say, the ending of this book made me cry, like actual tears, and that never happens. Two doctors who work in the ER together come up with an agreement and I won’t say anything else, you’ll just have to read it. This book was the epitome of slow burn, and combined with the dual points of view, there were mulitple times during this book when I wanted to scream to it ‘JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER.’ They clearly loved each other, but wouldn’t tell the other person. But, then when I saw how the book ended I understood why it had to be that way. Anyways, this book was great.

2.Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan
I LOVED this book. Laugh out loud funny, fast paced, and adorable. But, also it has so many real life problems that the characters go through. I mean seriously I could not put this book down.

And the best book I read this year is….

WEATHER GIRL by Rachel Lynn Solomon

I’m not going to lie, the biggest reason I chose to read this book was because it was told from the point of view of a Meteorologist at a station in Seattle. I am a morning news anchor and thought I would enjoy this book. But, I did not expect to love it as much as I did. It was one of the best books I’ve ever read. A morning meteorologist who has depression ends up becoming friends with the evening sports caster who has a daughter. Through the book, they become more than friends and a lot more is revealed. I won’t spoil it for you, seriously, you just have to read it. I LOVED this book!

Thank you to the author’s, bookstores and libraries who ensure that people like me can get lost in stories and other worlds that are far more interesting than mine. Here’s to more books in 2024!

2023, A Day In The Life Of Liz, dance, Derek Hough, Idaho, Lisa, My favorite things, Symphony of Dance, tour

Derek Hough’s show ‘Symphony of Dance’

October 19, 2023 elizabethjoyhadley

You guys, last week I had such a good week! On Wednesday, I went down to Salt Lake City and picked up my Mom at the airport and then we went to see Derek Hough and his wife Hayley on tour!

We were so excited! I bought these tickets the day they went on sale, so it was a long time coming!

Since we had VIP tickets we had to get to the theatre early, so we could check in and then go back stage!

We waited to take our picture with Derek and Hayley and then went to the Question and Answer session!

I was able to ask Derek a question, and I just wanted to share his answer with you, because it was amazing. I asked him how he deals with and handles negative comments about him on social media, or over email. As a morning news anchor, I get comments all the time towards me, and I asked him how he handles it.

Derek said that at first he would take those comments to heart, but then he started to realize that when people would said hurtful and negative things to him, he began to realize that says more about the people saying it, than it does about him. He said he began to have empathy for them, and recognizing that they are missing something from their own lives if they feel the need to reach out to you to say their negative comments. So in case you needed to hear that, there you go.

I LOVE this picture so much! The true happiness on my face can’t be beat!

After the VIP session we went to the Cheesecake Factory for a quick dinner and then headed back to the theatre for the show! We had about two hours in between the VIP session and the show!

Our seats were in the second row, right on the aisle! I turned around and this is the view!

Derek’s show was called ‘The Symphony of Dance’ and I have seen Derek in every show he has ever done, and to be honest, they have all been AMAZING! But, there was just something so special about this one. It had so much heart behind it.

The Symphony of Dance, in my opinion, was a metaphor, for the journey of life. There will be ups and downs and highs and lows, but overall it’s the journey that you remember. I loved that so much!

The females had 18 costume changes, and each one was more spectacular than the last!

Each dance told a story, and each dancer was phenomenal! I’m telling you I would see this show every night in every city if I could. I left feeling so inspired!!

This show was particularly emotional for Derek because he is from Salt Lake City, and he had a lot of family and friends and his old dance teachers in the audience, and it was a sold out show! It was so special. I can only imagine how Derek was feeling up on that stage!

I just want to thank Derek and the entire cast and crew for this show! It was truly wonderful and I think everybody, even if you know nothing about dance, could enjoy this show and enjoy seeing the talent and hard work and creativity on that stage! I would see it every night if I could!

Thank you Derek, from the bottom of my heart, for teaching me to live my life with passion and to never let anybody make you feel bad about being who you are!

2023, A Day In The Life Of Liz, Boston, Idaho, Jackson, journalism, My favorite things, Reporter, Summer, Twin Falls

Top 10 of Summer 2023

September 12, 2023 elizabethjoyhadley

Hi friends!

Earlier this summer, I set a list of things I wanted to do during this summer, it included everything from Watch High School Musical 1, 2, and 3 to go to a water park! Sadly, I wasn’t able to accomplish everything I wanted to on my list, because you know, real life and work and other commitments and bills to pay and chores to do. But there were still some really good days too! So, without further ado, here is a look at my Top 10 of this summer! Hard to believe it’s already over!

Visiting my family and friends in Boston!

I would consider this the start of summer! It was such a fun week and I miss all of these people so much! I have such good memories of this week!

2. Hosting a big 4th of July Party… on July 1st.

At my house, the fireworks are lit off from the field that is literally one house away from mine! So, what did I do? Hosted a giant 4th of July Party to have everyone over to watch! It was such a good day!

3. Going paddleboarding on the Snake River

I have kayaked the Snake River before but never Paddle boarded and it was so much fun! This particular day was gorgeous out as well, so it made it even better! I hope I can do that more next year!

4. Floating the Boise River!

Another first for me! I’ve never floated the Boise River before and it was so much fun! This particular day was 102 degrees and the water was 54 degrees! We had a few minor setbacks on this day, but overall it was so much fun! I love trying new things!

5. Going to Roaring Springs Water Park and Wahooz Family Fun Center!

I sadly have no pictures from the water park, but this sunset was taken on the drive home this trip, so it will have to do!

6. Kelley’s Canyon Orchard Peaches and Cream Day!

Trevor and I drove down into the Canyon to Kelley’s Canyon Orchard where they grow peaches and other fruit. On this day, they had peaches and cream and it was delicious! This spot in the Canyon is so pretty and it was so peaceful!

7. The Twin Falls County Fair

The Twin Falls County Fair is absolutely always a highlight of the year for me! I just love the people, the food, the atmosphere! It never disappoints! These two gentlemen run the model railroad building and I love them to pieces!

8. Attended a gorgeous wedding!

We went to a gorgeous wedding for our friends! Trevor was a groomsmen, doesn’t he look so handsome? But this wedding was so fun, and I danced the night away on that dancefloor!

9. Taking Jackson to the Pooch Splash!

The Pooch Splash is an annual fundraiser put on by the Twin Falls Animal Shelter for their medical fund. Jackson is from the shelter and I love to give back to the people who gave me my best friend in the world! Jackson had the time of his life too!

10. Covering important stories to Southern Idaho

I mean, considering almost my entire life is spent at work, I guess I have to include it on my Top 10 of summer. It is what I spent most of my summer doing.

And there you have it folks. I didn’t do everything I wanted to do, not even close, but it was still a really great summer full of laughs, time with friends and family, and some fun days.

I used to love summer when I was a kid, probably because we didn’t have school and I could spend all day doing whatever I wanted.

Now that I am older, I think I like Fall the most. The seasons are changing, it’s cooler in the morning but warmer in the afternoon. We’re back to our routines and schedules, which we all know I love a good schedule.

I have to be honest with you, this year in general has been hard for me in many ways, most of which I will never get into on here, but this summer wasn’t all bad! It had lots of good moments, but I’m ready for Fall now!

Thanks for reading, Have a great day!

2023, A Day In The Life Of Liz, Bruce, Father, Father's Day, Idaho

Happy Father’s Day, Dad!

June 18, 2023June 17, 2023 elizabethjoyhadley

Happy Father’s Day to all the father’s and father figures today, but especially to my own dad.

Bruce Robert Hadley.

I am very grateful for my dad. He is probably the strongest person I know, mentally and physically. But, more than that he is a hard working, kind, a person who would do literally anything for the people he loves.

I think I got a lot of my personality from him. We are both emotional people. We feel big emotions, happy, sad, angry, etc. We aren’t middle of the road type people and we don’t try to hide how we feel.

I also learned a lot about hard work and not giving up from him, which is the best lesson I could have ever learned. If you work hard and never quit, the world is yours; that is what he taught me.

My dad was always working when I was younger, but somehow he still managed to come home and play baseball with us, or drive me to dance class. He always managed to ask us how our day was, and really care and really listen to us.

I have so many amazing memories with my Dad, so many amazing trips skiing across the country, so many weekends swimming in the pool, and going camping in New Hampshire, and bike rides to Hilliard’s to name a few.

I definitely wouldn’t be who I am without you Dad, and I love you so much. Happy Father’s Day Dad, I will love you forever!

Thank you for always being there for me, I love you!

2022, Boston, Grammy

Dear Grammy, I miss you.

May 27, 2022 elizabethjoyhadley

1 year ago today, my grandmother passed away. It was sad and kind of sudden, but she was 87 years old. She had a great life, she really did. Gail Lillian Somes Hadley was magnificent.

I think about her often. She was just such a great grandmother. My brother and I are her only grandchildren, and she loved us both so much. Whenever we went over to her house she had some home made dessert waiting for us, or a snack. She made the best peach cobbler or cookies. She loved to cook and bake and made sure no one was ever hungry when they were with her.

She also never missed a recital, baseball game, theatre performance, or any other activity we were a part of.

One year on Thanksgiving when I was little I remember getting upset about something and crying, and she came over and sat with me to comfort me and make me feel better. It’s funny how I have no recollection about what I was upset about, but I will never forget her comforting nature that day.

If we were sick, she came and sat with us so my parents could go to work. We would watch tv and she would sit in the living room with us all day, probably knitting whatever sweater she was working on at that time.

She loved our yellow lab George so much. George knew it too, always sitting by her because he knew she would slip him something under the table. Dogs are so smart.

I always knew I could talk to her about anything, I called her a lot when I moved out here to Idaho, she was just the best.

Recently when I moved away from MA, we were pen pals, writing each other letters, and of course she would include a little gift in mine, some cookies or a gift card.

My dad would go over to her house and show her my news stories that I did, or if I was anchoring he would pull that up and show her too.

I sometimes wish I could call her up now and just talk to her. Tell her about my life, although I’m sure she knows.

We would talk about my dream wedding some day, what colors I wanted and where I wanted to get married. She said she would do my hair in pretty curls like she did for my prom.

I learned a lot from her, about generosity and love and loyalty, but I learned the most important lesson from her after she was gone.

Let me tell you about it. When she passed away, my family planned a wake and a funeral for her. The wake was on Tuesday night and the funeral was on Wednesday.

Tuesday night, we were all there at the wake and when I tell you that EVERYONE she knew came, I mean EVERYONE she knew came. And they were all sharing memories and stories and jokes and it was beautiful. I mean, all these cousins, and nieces and nephews, and friends, and my parents friends, and her friends, and her sister and brother in law, and my friends, and her family, and neighbors, and her daughter’s friends and of course her husband. I could go on. And, I thought how amazing it was that all these people took time out of their life to come say goodbye to her.

It was sad, but it was also kind of amazing, because they were remembering her as this person who cared so deeply about people, and never forgot important milestones.

People were recalling Thanksgivings from years ago, and fun trips to Cape Cod, and Christmas parties, and hand made sweaters that she knit for them or their child, people were remembering her, who she was and what kind of an impact she had on their life.

I always worry that I won’t be successful, that I’m not good enough or smart enough or pretty enough, and it’s kind of sad that I had this realization at my grandmother’s funeral, but NONE of that matters.

Because Grammy was a successful nurse but I don’t think that was brought up once at the funeral. Instead what was brought up was who she was, deep into her soul. She was amazing and kind and generous and loving and caring. And THAT is what matters.

It’s sad that we wait until people are gone to tell them our favorite things about them. I hope she knows how much of an impact she had on my life, and always will.

I think she’s up in heaven playing Bridge with her friends and her sister, eating some trout (her favorite food) and laughing without being in any pain. And I know she’s hanging out with George as well. Probably going on walks with him every day.

I know I’ll see you again someday, until then, I love you, every day.

2021, A Day In The Life Of Liz, Boston, Derek Hough, Idaho, Las Vegas, Magic, Twin Falls

Seeing Derek Hough in Las Vegas

December 11, 2021 elizabethjoyhadley

I had the absolute best weekend ever seeing Derek Hough in his Las Vegas residency, so I thought I would write about it.

So on November 6th, my Mom flew to Vegas from Boston, and I flew to Vegas from Boise and we met up to celebrate her birthday and see Derek!

We walked around and explored the city. I have been to Vegas 2 times but never with my Mom so it was super fun! We are such good travel partners, and my mom is really my best friend!

I love Vegas, it is such a cool place! I love the theme hotels, and all the people watching!

Then it was time to see Derek! His show was at The Venetian and I really enjoyed how the theatre was small, it made it seem like we were part of the show!

Which, actually, I did become part of the show!! Derek was asking for volunteers and he picked me!

I have been to every single one of Derek’s shows, and he has never picked me, so I was SO EXCITED!

He lined us all up, I was the tallest so I was in the back. He told me to stand really still and not move because he was going to come up and push off my shoulders to jump over us!

It was AMAZING!! I was so happy!!

The whole show was spectacular, an hour and a half of pure joy! The thing I admire the most about Derek is his passion, and who he is, he cares for people, and he cares about people, and he really truly is doing exactly what he was put on this earth to do, and there is something so special about that!

In this picture Derek was telling us how for so long he always wondered if he was enough, and it took him a long time to realize that no matter how many accomplishments he had, or how many awards he won, he was always enough, and so are we.

To be honest with you all, I never feel like I’m enough, I always wonder if I am going to be successful, but none of that matters. What matters is how we treat other people, and who we are on the inside. Thank you Derek for reminding me of that.

The finale dance was to a medley from The Greatest Showman, one of my favorite movies! Such a perfect way to end the show!

As soon as it was over, I wanted to see it again!

The next day was our last day, we spent it relaxing by the pool!

I am so thankful I got to see my Mom, and also Derek, I am so thankful for this experience!

I hope I have the chance to see the magic on stage again someday!

2021, A Day In The Life Of Liz, Boston, Derek Hough, Suffolk University

I’ve met Derek Hough 6 times!

September 30, 2021 elizabethjoyhadley

Hello friends! If you know me at all, then you must know that Derek Hough is my absolute favorite dancer, choreographer, human, of all time.

Well, I am so excited to be going to Las Vegas to see him on November 7th at the Venetian! My mom is going to come from Massachusetts and I am coming from Idaho and we will have the absolute best time! The show we are going to is on my mom’s birthday.

But, let’s take a little look at how many times I have seen and met Derek Hough, just because these pictures make me happy!

June 22nd, 2014, my mom and I travelled to Mohegan Sun in Connecticut to see Derek in his first Move Live on Tour show!

August 8th, 2014- I met Derek Hough at his book signing at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut. This was one of the best days ever! I felt like I just met my hero!

He signed my book! Also, if you haven’t read Derek’s book, you totally should!

Then, Derek announced that he was going to star in The Radio City Rockettes Spring Spectacular, and of course I went to New York City to see him in the show! We were in the second row, and I left before the show was over so I could go meet Derek at the stage door!

April 3rd, 2015, one of the best days, here we are at the stage door!

He even signed my phone case!

Then, he announced him and his sister were going on another Move Live on Tour, and they were coming to Boston this time! I got tickets again, and went to see him! I waited at the stage door after the show was over, but he didn’t come out this time. The show was still amazing!

I didn’t see Derek again until May 4th, 2017, but this story is wild!

Okay, picture this, I am sitting in the Suffolk University library studying for my media law final. It is a picture perfect day in Boston, the sun is shining and people are happy. I have front row VIP tickets to see Derek Hough on his Move Beyond show for the next day.

I take a break from my flashcards to look at Instagram, and Derek Hough has posted on his Instagram story that he is in the Public Garden, which is about a 10 minute walk from where I am.

I immediately stop studying for my final and call up my best friends Andrea and Andrew as we wander through the city trying to find him.

From the public garden to Fanueil Hall to the Esplanade, we were trying so hard to find him. I just wanted to meet him again, because Derek has been such an inspiration to me.

We decided to sit down on the Greenway because he hadn’t posted in 45 minutes, and I was about to give up, but then he posted that he was inside the Aquarium. We get up and start walking towards the Aquarium. I decided I was just going to wait outside the door and try to see him when he walks out. Just as I made those plans, there he is walking towards me.

I kind of feel bad because it was so obvious he was trying to just have a relaxing day to himself, but I knew I had to say Hi. I called his name and he came over. I told him the story and told him that I was coming to his show the next day. We took these pictures.

Derek said it was like we were playing Pokemon Go, but for celebrities!

The next day I took my media law final, I got a 97 on it by the way, and then we went to the show! I went with my mom and dad and we had VIP tickets, so we got to meet him and his sister before the show, and attend a Q&A session. I wanted to do a really funny picture with Derek, so when I got up there, I said Derek how about you pretend that you are proposing to me? I didn’t know if he would go for it or not, but here is the result.

It was hilarious! I loved this day!

His show was awesome, and in the middle of it, Derek came through the audience, grabbed my phone and we took this selfie!

When Julianne asked for an audience volunteer, guess who went up there! My Dad!

It was one of the best days!

It was a prefect day!

In 2019, Derek announced he was going to go on a solo tour this time, and considering I was about to graduate college, I wanted to reward myself and buy Front Row Seats again to his show in Boston!

The best part about having VIP tickets is that you get to know him a little bit. I asked Derek a question during this Q&A session, I said, Derek I’m about to graduate from college, what is something you wish you knew when you were my age?

I honestly live by what he said every single day.

Derek said, You are who you surround yourself with. If you surround yourself with negative people, you’ll be negative. But, if you surround yourself with people who work hard, and think positive, then you will be that way too.

I admire Derek not only because he is so handsome, but because he has worked hard, and never given up on what he wanted, even though it is challenging.

I hope someday people will look up to me like I look up to him.

I had tickets to see Derek in June of 2020 at the Flamingo in Las Vegas, but that show got cancelled because of COVID, so I really can not wait to see him at the Venetian in November!

I am so thankful for all of these experiences and shows I’ve seen Derek in, his passion and determination is unmatched!