Tomorrow will be the 11th anniversary of my first date with Nathan. We were in high school. We had known each other for three years prior to our first date. We went out to dinner at the Spaghetti Factory. Nathan dropped a loaf of bread on the floor. We have fun memories.
We wanted to celebrate 11 years together, so when I found out that my favorite band (and one of the only bands that both Nathan and I like) was going to be in Portland on October 18th, so close to our first date-aversary, I thought it was perfect. Nathan agreed, and we bought tickets.
I was introduced to Switchfoot in college by a good friend. They are almost completely unique in my book. A Christian band, with Christian lyrics, with a non Christian music sound. Jon Foreman speaks truth through his music in ways that not many other artists can do.
This is not the best picture…but at one point during the concert, Jon Foreman came out into the audience. We were only about ten feet away. Very exciting.
Anyway, I was super excited because I had never been to a concert before. Nathan and I took Elias to Ama and Baba’s, got some dinner at the Olive Garden, then headed to the Crystal Ballroom to enjoy the concert. We were not disappointed. The opening act, Paper Route, was actually quite good. We bought a cd. But Switchfoot was excellent. They put on a good show, sang some great tunes, and really made it an upbeat, exciting night for everyone. Nathan and I did feel a bit old at times. The crowd was mostly younger than us….I did not have enough energy in my 24 week pregnant body to be jumping up and down and yelling the whole time. And standing for three hours was not easy on me either. But Nathan said it is possibly the best concert he’s been to…and that’s saying something…so it was definitely worth it.
The highlight of the night for me was their final song, Where I Belong. It’s a song of such hope and truth. Being there in person to see Jon Foreman singing it was very moving. I have to admit it brought tears to my eyes. And even though it was my first concert…I have to say that is probably pretty unique for a rock concert.
Switchfoot
Where I Belong lyrics
Feeling like a refugee
Like it don’t belong to me
The colors flash across the skyThis air feels strange to me
Feeling like a tragedy
I take a deep breath and close my eyes
One last time
One last timeStorms on the wasteland
Dark clouds on the plains again
We were born into the fightBut I’m not sentimental
This skin and bones is a rental
And no one makes it out aliveYeah
Until I die I’ll sing these songs
On the shores of Babylon
Still looking for a home
In a world where I belongWhere the weak are finally strong
Where the righteous right the wrongs
Still looking for a home
In a world where I belongYeah
Feels like we’re just waiting, waiting
While are hearts are just breaking, breaking
Feels like we’ve been fighting against the tideI wanna see the earth start shaking
I wanna see a generation
Finally waking up insideYeah
Until I die I’ll sing these songs
On the shores of Babylon
Still looking for a home
In a world where I belongWhere the weak are finally strong
Where the righteous right the wrongs
Still looking for a home
In a world where I belongA world where I belong
This body’s not my own
This world is not my own
But I still can hear the sound
Of my heart beating out
So let’s go boys, sing it loudAnd on the final day I die
I want to hold my head up high
I want to tell You that I tried
To live it like a songAnd when I reach the other side
I want to look You in the eye
And know that I’ve arrived
In a world where I belongIn a world where I belong
In a world where I belong
Where I belong
Where I belongWhere I belong
Yeah
Where I belong
Yeah!I still believe we can live forever
You and I we begin forever now
Forever now
Forever
I still believe in us together
You and I we’re here together now
Together now
Forever now
Forever now
Forever nowForever
Forever