July 5, 2013 San Diego, Ca. Viejas Arena

[jkmaletic]

Thanks guys for all the kind words.

What a whirlwind day. I woke up with an unexplained stomach ache (which I guess was suppressed nervousness looking back) that finally left me around 2pm. We were to meet at the venue for the Meet and Greet no later than 5:30. We got there around 5. We had to wait until 5:40 or so until "Justin" came and got us and gave us our passes and explained the rules. While waiting we could hear "Second Hand News" being sound checked. We got inside and they led us down to the first few rows to gather to meet Mick. Mick came shortly thereafter and said a few things, then he led us up onstage. He talked about never being in this particular venue before, John McVie being thrifty, and a few other things. He then said we were going to take some pictures in front of the drum set. So we sort of formed a line and I told Kim (my now fiancee) that I wanted to go last. She asked why and I said so we could soak up being on stage as long as we could (which was really part of the truth). So she agreed. When it was approaching our turn I got in front of her and she said she wanted to go first and I said, no - I'd really like to. She was like, alright? So I began walking towards Mick, but then I told him, "one second please". I then turned to Kim, told her I'd been wanting to do this for over 20 years and that I couldn't think of a better place to do it." I then pulled the box with the ring in it out of my pocket, got on bended knee and asked, "Will you marry me, Kim?" Her face was a mix of shock, surprise, and happiness all at once. She kind of laughed and said "Yes!" Mick was surprised of course, as was everyone else. I remember him saying, "well this is special" and "this is a first!" Then his two guys Justin and Robert asked me to do it AGAIN so they could get better pictures and I was like, "Oh no- I have to act now!" So I did, and I just remember flashes going off. When I got up I was a little light-headed from the experience, like I just got off a roller coaster ride. Kim said she felt like she was gonna faint for a second. Mick was very, very gracious and hugged us both and said congratulations. He then said, "Now I KNOW you'll want this to be a group photo!" (versus individual shots) After the pictures I thanked Mick and told him Fleetwood Mac was my favorite band and this meant the world. Everyone clapped as we left the stage and went back down to the seating area.