In August 2012, I was going through some things. Basically I was hurting. And I wanted to find myself. I wanted to be happy. So I bought some tickets to see Neon Trees, Walk the Moon and this band I'd never heard of called twenty one
pilots.It was a very spontaneous, unplanned decision, so I didn't 'research' the band, like I usually do. Fast forward past the line and the waiting, I was very unprepared for the drummer in a skeleton hoodie and the lead singer hopping over the piano as an intro. I'm not going to lie and say I was captured and it was love at first sight, but I liked it. I wanted more. I didn't know these two guys
and I didn't know that they and their music would become deeply integrated into my life.
The night went by in snapshots. I remember hearing Tyler speak for the first time. At first about the shirt that he got in Korea and how he was a little nervous (the orange and white triangle one? It was adorable. I mean manly.) I remember him asking if we were happy to be alive. I remember yelling and screaming 'yes!' in response. And I meant it. In those moments, I was happy and free and there wasn't any pain in my heart. Now I'd be lying if I said the drummer didn't catch my attention, he totally did and not just because he was also a cutie pie, but because of the way he, pardon my french, but BANGED the hell out of those drums. Josh had such an incredible energy and eventually he made me appreciate the drummer in the band. He made me appreciate the instrument in itself. The amount of passion I witnessed that night, from both of them drew me in
forever and I didn't realize it at the time.Because of Josh and Tyler, every song I listen to (not just the TOP ones) I have a new appreciation and excitement for the sound. I fell in love with music again.
During their performance, from the Shout Remix to Holding on to You, I couldn't sing along too well, but I danced and threw my hands in the air and had the time of my life like everyone else in the room was doing.
the crowd. Until Twenty One Pilots came out. Then I saw it. I saw them come to life. I saw their faces light up and and they started jumping and cheering and yeah I realize
this sounds like everyone at a concert ever, but for some reason they caught my attention. I would catch glimpses at them during the performances. And the moment that stood out the most to me was when I turned to watch them during one of the songs (I forget which, shame on me!) and they had their arms around each other and they were shouting out the lyrics and laughing and smiling and they looked so happy. I wanted to be that happy. I wanted to be that free. I wanted to wrap my arms around someone and dance and sing together. I remember thinking, why do they look so happy? Is it the music that's bringing those smiles to their faces and those stars in their eyes? How is that possible? Seeing those two guys, (who I never saw again) exposed me to what loving this band could do to one.
Eventually, I went home and spent hours with twenty one pilots. Hours turned to days, to weeks, to months. I watched live shows and interviews and discovered all these other people that love twenty one pilots too. Eventually they came to Florida again and it was the best time I had in my life. I felt so happy. I felt so connected to the crowd and I actually met them. Needless to say, I was a babbling mess, but I got hugs and I got to tell them how happy they make me. And that's all I needed. I got a tattoo, inspired by them. It represents the good things in my life and reminds me I'm strong and capable. Eventually I became as happy as those two boys I never saw again. I became a pilot.
Twenty One Pilots make me happy. They make me brave. Because of the music they create and the message they sent, I'm happy to be alive and I believe in how something or someone (or two someones in this case) can change your life. This band has become a perpetual part of my life and I couldn't be more thankful for what they've grown to represent.