It's Generational

I first heard the magical music of Aerosmith in the womb, and that is where my story, my love for Steven Tyler begins. How awesome is that? I was jamming to the sweet vocals of Steven Tyler while I was still in my mom. My parents were always playing rock, and lot of it. But of all the bands they listened to, Aerosmith stood out to me. By the time I began going to elementary school I was hooked. I had a walkman and a few Aerosmith cassettes (Aerosmith, Classics Live I & II, and Permanent Vacation.) I went through 2 Permanent Vacation tapes before I was through grade school! I rode the bus to and from school every day, at least 40 minutes each way. I had terrible anxiety and I hated riding the bus, but when I took my walkman to school with me, the bus ride flew. I would pop in a tape and before I knew it I would be at school.

As a kid, people always ask you what you want to be when you grow up. Most kids wanted to be doctors or fire fighters. My answer: To marry Steven Tyler. After a few odd looks I began answering that I wanted to be a veterinarian or a marine biologist, but the dream to marry Steven Tyler remained. I was so proud of my love for Aerosmith. I wanted everyone to hear their amazing songs and love them as much as I did/do. I would try to get other kids on the bus to listen to them on my walkman, but they were completely uninterested. How could they be so ignorant? By middle school I stopped trying. People looked at me like I was crazy when they talked about New Kids On The Block and I had no idea what they were talking about. New Kids who? What about Steven Tyler?!?!

It wasn't until the summer before 11th grade that I met someone else who truly understood my immense love for not only Aerosmith, but Steven Tyler. Enter Jenny Hull, aka: my BFF.

Jenny and I met through a mutual friend the summer of 2001. Jenny lived such a charmed life when it came to Aerosmith. The girl had movies, t-shirts, posters, magazines, a blanket, and all sorts of things I couldn't have even imagined! And to top it off she went to concerts!! I couldn't believe it. I didn't even know such things existed!! I was so jealous I could hardly contain it. I felt like orphan Annie; like I was shut out of this amazing world filled with Aerosmith. I'm still jealous! From that moment, I knew I had found the one person that would truly understand my love. Though i lacked the material possessions, the love in my heart was just as big and I think Jenny saw that. We have been best friends since then, except for a small period of time between 2004 and 2005, but let's not get into that...

In 2003 I went to my first Aerosmith concert with my husband. I was 18. We had center, mid level seats. I was about 5 months pregnant with my son. As I walked through security the lady told me to make sure I don't rock the baby right out! I cried when Steven Tyler walked onto stage. I was so overcome with emotion, and it wasn't just because I was pregnant. To simply be in the same stadium as he was was beyond comprehension. I went to their next concert in 2005. Center, mid level seats. Pregnant again, this time a girl. I cried, again as well. Being so close to him again was indescribable. And now my babies are 6 and 4 years old, and they both LOVE Aerosmith! Every time an Aerosmith song comes on the radio my daughter starts singing along and she yells, "Mommy!! It's your song!" Her favorite songs are "Love In An Elevator" and "The Farm." When those songs come on she jumps up and down yelling, "It's my song! It's my song!" My son loves to jam to Aerosmith too, though not as intensely as my daughter. I am so happy to have been able to pass down my love for this amazing band. They've literally been listening to them all of their lives!
When Aerosmith: Guitar Hero came out I waited outside the Best Buy store before they opened in an Aerosmith t-shirt. I wanted to be sure I got my game so I got there early and everything. To my surprise I was the only person there in Aerosmith gear extremely excited for the release of the game. Once the store opened I bolted for the display and snatched up my copy, ready to fight someone for it. Except there was no one there. I was the only one. I couldn't believe that other people were not as excited as I was. I blasted home and finished the game on easy and got most of the way through medium that day.
As much as I dream of meeting Steven Tyler I am so afraid I would cry and make a complete fool of myself. This year I have floor seats, I don't know how I am going to handle being so close to him! 

Into my adult-hood my love for Aerosmith has not faded. They are still number one in my heart and I still dream about Steven Tyler. Just to meet him, be near him. I have loved that man since I was a child and I will love him until I die.

-Alex