Can you imagine?

Yesterday was my in-law's 37th wedding anniversary. They are inspiring in many ways, particularly their love and devotation to each other.

Their service to different faith communities over the years is also inspiring. For the last few years, they have been attending not one, but two churches! Imagine! There is a good reason. At one church, they can enjoy contemporary music. Guitars, drumsets, microphones, all the jazz. At the other, they can participate in a traditional choir program, as they have for many years.

Little did they know that devotion would take them to a very special place. A place widely regarded as the pinnacle performance experience for any musician.

Their choir was invited to perform as part of celebration for Shawnee Press's 70th Anniverary.

Can you imagine the excitement?

The excitement of walking up to the stage door on West 56th?

Of entering Carnegie Hall knowing you are about to go on stage?

Documenting their entrance to that buildng with their music in hand was a beautiful experience.

After they entered, we waited. Milled around the outside of the building, waiting for our time to go in and take our seats.

Photography was strictly banned inside. Before the show, security was surveilling the premises, alerting each other to offenders up in the balcony or over to the left.

But after the show, people were snapping pictures left and right, so I decided to be a rule breaker.

If you sang at Carnegie Hall, wouldn't you want something to remember the experience of looking out into the audience? 

We exited into the lobby and looked for our family members in the excited crowd.

We were proud.

Shortly after, they were whisked off to Tavern on the Green to celebrate in style.

We wandered in the night, until their return to our hotel at 1am. They were still buzzing with excitement. We were exhausted beyond belief.

In the morning,they boarded their bus back to Michigan, we drove Matt's sister to JFK for her return to Chicago, and we drove back to Boston. Our family scattered east and west.

But what a special night to spend together, don't you think?