There was a day when I was one of them - the screaming, teenage girls just convinced that I would somehow, some day, meet and marry one of the New Kids on the Block.
I was wrong, of course. But I had a good time dreaming about it.
I was fanatical about this boy band when they were in their prime more than 15 years ago. I collected everything I could get my hands on, using my hard-earned $5 allowance to buy copies of Teen Beat and other teen magazines and ripping out the “pin-ups” of my Fab 5. I had a binder full of those things - well over 300, if I remember correctly. Considering there were maybe five in each issue of the magazine, that was quite a collection.
Every once-in-a-while the magazines would host a contest/drawing and give away some sort of rare NKOTB memorabilia. I actually won one of them -- Jonathan and Jordan Knight’s high school yearbook - after submitting more than 50 entries in individual envelopes. My mom even bought me personalized envelopes (pink with my name and address in the corner) for my birthday or Christmas so that I didn’t have to write it out each time. I still have that yearbook somewhere, assuming my New Kids collection has survived the handful of basement floods at my mom’s (my childhood) home over the years.
Then there was my bedroom - walls plastered with NKOTB posters and pin-ups and even bed sheets that served as a constant reminder of the loves of my life. It’s funny, but for my son’s fifth birthday, my mom used the flat sheet as the backing on a quilt she made for my son. Made me laugh.
I knew today was going to be the day the group made its re-debut on The Today Show, but I had an early meeting this morning and missed it. So I was delighted when I saw these videos posted online this afternoon. When I watched them for the first time, I am somewhat embarrassed to admit, I actually got goose bumps on my arms!
Thankfully my husband has nothing to worry about. The boys are still cuties in my eyes, simply because I was deeply in love with them when I was an early teenager. But I have to say that the 15 years since their last concert has aged them a little. (Haven’t they for all of us, though?) Still the wrinkles made them appear more “real” and reminded me that even my teenage idols are just “normal” people. Each one of them even has kids of his own now! It's just strange to think about!
It was hilarious, too, to see a crowd full of 30-something women screaming their heads off, wearing their NKOTB t-shirts and dangling their 1990s backstage passes from their necks. It was funny, because I could totally relate. I wish I would have thought to fly to NYC to see it myself. (However, these women waited 48 hours, they said, to get a good spot - in the pouring rain - to see them. Not sure I would have gone that far!) I could always use an excuse to visit my favorite city...and my (one-time) favorite boys, though!
Are you an old fan of the Kids? Please share! (I love to receive comments on my blog!)
And enjoy the videos from The Today Show!
oh my gosh Corie - I can totally relate. I was a NKOTB fanatic too. Not quite as dedicated as you were, however, but in love with them all nonetheless. Especially Jordan. ha ha! Anyway, I TIVO'd the Today show and watched it later. I am a little embarrassed to admit that I actually like their new song and I downloaded it on iTunes!!
Posted by: Marcella | May 19, 2008 at 08:59 AM
Too funny, Marcella! Although for me, it was Jonathan, 100 percent. I seriously thought we would somehow meet and of course he would fall in love with me, move to Danville and marry me! :-) And I have to admit, I like the new song, "Summertime," too!
Posted by: Corie | May 19, 2008 at 09:11 AM
Their new song, "Summertime", is it a rip on the Fresh Prince's "Summertime?"
Posted by: JLB | June 02, 2008 at 02:45 PM
I am proud to admit I only had the cassettes. No New Kids dolls, quilts, sheets, none of that. I just wasn't that obsessed. You are a brave woman admitting to it all! :)
Posted by: Robbie | June 02, 2008 at 08:36 PM