My Emo Valentine

Valentine’s Day always comes with a bit of pressure, doesn’t it? Fancy dinners, grand gestures, the whole romantic holiday thing. But for my wife and I, we’ve found our own little tradition that’s a perfect mix of nostalgia, fun, and, a lot of angsty music from our youth. My parents were amazing and stepped up to give us another chance to have an amazing event happen. An extra shout out to my parents for babysitting my kids!

For the second year in a row, my wife and I celebrated with The Midnight City at their “My Emo Valentine” concert—a high-energy blast of punk rock and emo hits that took us right back to our high school and college days. If there’s one thing that keeps us coming back to this band, it’s their ridiculous variety. They cover a huge variety of songs over a massive span of time. Their bread and butter though is definitely in the pop/punk vein of the early 00’s and 10’s of the 21st century.

Our bread and butter of the night was less bread and more bao. The night started with a dinner of Chinese dishes passed around the table with friends. There are a few restaurants in town who serve dinner as it is available. Giving the table a chance to sample and share dishes as the meal progresses. We shared this dinner with a couple who are close friends and friends who were visiting from Ohio. The friends visiting came to share a nice couple days with us and also to enjoy a killer show! Sharing an amazing meal with them was like a time warp back to our younger days. Good food, better company, and the kind of laughter that already had me in a great mood before we even got to the venue.

The vibe at the concert? Imagine a room full of people reliving their teenage heartbreak and youthful rebellion, all while yelling along to songs that somehow still feel relevant. Punk and emo music has this way of making you feel everything all at once—angsty, sure, but also alive. The pounding drums, wailing vocals, and fast guitar riffs made it impossible to stand still. The night was full of fist pumping, head whipping, and frenzied jumping.

This was our third Emo Valentine concert in four years, and it’s becoming one of my favorite traditions. After COVID threw a wrench in so many plans and routines, it’s been nice to have something like this to look forward to again. There’s something comforting about the familiar—familiar songs, familiar faces, and the familiar excitement of a night out with my favorite person.

One thing that made this year stand out for me was that I experienced it sober. Concerts, especially ones with this much energy, were usually accompanied by a few too many drinks in the past. There were moments where I had to pause and collect myself, it’s not always easy to not give in to having a drink, but having a night like this, fully present, was a huge win for me. It’s another step forward, and being able to remember every song, every laugh, and every off-key sing-along with my wife and friends made it all the more special.

Music and concerts have always been a big part of my wife and I’s relationship, and after 20 years together, nights like these will always remind me why we still make the perfect duo. Me with my questionable dance moves and her with her endless spirit for life. A chance for her to shine with nothing but happiness. Contrastingly named, My Emo Valentine.

So here’s to another year, another Emo Valentine, and another night screaming along to the songs that defined our youth. We’ll absolutely be back next year. My voice might be gone by the end of the night, but my heart is always full.

One amazing night at a time,
K