Eighteen Years

Nick Carter: All American Tour 2016 in Sacramento, CA | craftycarmen

Most of you probably have that one celebrity/musician/pop star that you were just in love with growing up (and maybe even now!). Maybe it's Justin Timberlake or Harry Styles. Maybe it's Britney Spears or Jennifer Lopez. For me, it's Nick Carter.

When I saw he was coming to Sacramento for his All American Tour, I splurged on VIP tickets and it was SO worth it. I mean, eighteen years. And I was obsessed with him when I was younger. The girl with the posters all over her walls? That was me. So you can only imagine the excitement I felt when this moment finally came.

By being VIP, there was a soundcheck party, meet-and-greet, autographed poster, and priority to his general admission show.

Nick Carter: All American Tour 2016 in Sacramento, CA | craftycarmen

Right when we got in, we saw him on stage. Part of me was like, "Is this REALLY happening?" The soundcheck was fairly quick, but we were able to see him perform his version of "As Long As You Love Me." 

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After the soundcheck, we stood in line to do the meet and greet. As I approached Nick, I told him, "I literally waited 18 years for this!" And he was like, "What?! You've never been to one of the solo shows?" I have, but only his first solo tour YEARS ago, which was "Now or Never." He was so sweet and it was just great to finally meet him. (Insert happy sigh here.)

Nick Carter: All American Tour 2016 in Sacramento, CA | craftycarmen

I was so excited to find myself in the front row, almost right in the middle. Nick practically did a little bit of everything, including songs from all Backstreet Boys albums, his first solo album, his album with Jordan Knight, and of course, his newest album, "All American."

Nick Carter: All American Tour 2016 in Sacramento, CA | craftycarmen

He pulled some moves he learned from his run on "Dancing with the Stars." And when he pulled his classic Backstreet moves? All of us pretty much died.

Nick Carter: All American Tour 2016 in Sacramento, CA | craftycarmen

My only wish was that it was a little longer -- 90 minutes went by too fast and was just not long enough. Also, specifically for the Sacramento show, that there wasn't such a big gap between the stage and the barrier.

But overall? One of my favorite memories ever. I've seen the Backstreet Boys multiple times in the past, but this was the closest I've ever gotten AND the fact that I finally got to meet Nick? It was practically a dream come true, after 18 long years.