Trip to see the wonderful Bryan Adams. The last time I saw Bryan, I was still in my twenties, wow where did those years go. Looking at most of the crowd, I bet there were quite a few thinking the same.

Odd times back then. I had been with this girl for nearly three years, about that time we had started talking marriage and kids. Planning for the future. We went to see Bryan starting to plan for the long term.

Yet just a few months later, it was over. Life happened and we went our separate ways. We parted well and vowed to stay friends, maybe try again if the right moment came. But staying friends was maybe the problem. We could be friends but never really developed into best friends and soul mates. Careers took us in different geographic directions and we ended up seeing each other only once in the subsequent few years. A nice restaurant meal around the time a certain Bryan Adam’s love song was never off the radio. I remember almost asking her if she wanted to try again, but couldn’t find the words and I wasn’t completely certain. From a mutual friend, apparently she thought about asking the same thing but likewise didn’t. That was it, haven’t seen her again, decades have passed. No idea where she is now.

So last week when Bryan played that love song, it took me briefly back, I had completely forgotten about that time in my life. To a relationship that came close but never quite worked out for both of us. No regrets, just hope she did find the one, someone who could be her best friend and soul mate. Someone I was never really going to be.

37 thoughts on “Summer of 69”

  1. What a bittersweet memory, Gary. But what a treat to have attended this concert.

    Life does work out for a reason and you otherwise would not have had the wonderful family that you have.

    And now that damn song is stuck in my head. I remember it very very well! It was on all the time!

    Like

    Reply

  2. He’s written some great stuff. Funny how a song can take you back. What a night!

    My son met his wife at a concert a few years ago, and they’re now happily married. Life and it’s funny old ways xx

    Like

    Reply

  8. I believe memories can be an invitation to revisit an event/relationship and learn something new. Not necessarily to reconnect (although I know more than one person who has done that) but maybe to look at who you were then and who you are now and if you can now learn something from that relationship that you were not ready for the first time (or even the brief encounter the second time).

    Like

    Reply

      1. I thought you were seeing him soon! Take pictures, if you’re allowed to, and send me a couple! And have a great time! Is Hawklad going with you?

        Like

  16. Truly bittersweet memories. It amazes me every time again, how music can connect us so strongly with past experiences. But I am happy for you, you saw Bryan Adams life. Last November he played one of the concerts of his tour over here too, and I was so happy to get the chance to see him. He is still amazing! How did you like the concert itself, Gary?

    Like

    Reply

      1. How sweet is that? Over here he said some German words… that always catches the hearts of the audience, which he already has anyway 😍

        Like

Leave a comment