NKOTBSB or reflections on manhood after a boy band concert

To help me celebrate my 30th birthday a good friend drove me to Indianapolis for the NKOTBSB concert.  It was a blast.  For the most part the audience was women like myself, between the ages of 25-40, nicely but modestly dressed, there to relive their youth a little bit and sing along to some favorite songs from the past.

My two favorite NKOTB songs are Cover Girl and Tonight.  I loved hearing them live.  The whole night was fun - there was a sense of camaraderie amongst the fans as we cheered for opening act Matthew Morrison, the New Kids, and the Backstreet Boys. 

As a group I enjoyed the New Kids the most.  (Old loyalties die hard.)  My friend, a die hard Nick Carter and BSB fan, with special order "Future Backstreet Boy Fan" shirt pointing to her baby bump, was the perfect companion for the giddy fun.

L-R: Howie, AJ, Joey, Jon, Jordan, Brian, Danny, and Nick

But the best part for me (besides spending lots of really quality time with my friend) was how much I thought of my husband.  The guys would grind and flash their abs and arms.  Dance moves frequently brought attention to their groins, emphasized on the jumbo screens that showed close ups.  Women would scream.  I would not.

You can say it if you want to.  I'm a prude.  I'm okay with that.

I just kept thinking, "This is not manhood.  The anatomy is not what makes a man a real man."  I kept thinking of Travis.  He would never do those kinds of things.  In fact whenever I tell people about that part of the concert he shakes his head in disappointment.  And I understand why he does.

A real man has integrity.  He is hard working and doesn't sell his sexuality to make money.  A real man is honest, kind, steadfast.  He seeks God and invests himself in his wife, children, family and friends.  He serves, forgives, and shares. 

A real man preserves the dignity and purity of a woman.

He does not grind in her face.

Of course I know that these 40 year old men were performing and I am sure that they posses many of the qualities that I listed above.  In fact, I was continually impressed by Brian Littrell, the one band member who did not act macho throughout the concert.  Brian, who has released a Christian solo album, was light-hearted, smiling and waving at the crowds.  When the concert was over, it was Brian who got the biggest cheer from me. 

The pop concert was a lot of fun.  The boy bands were very entertaining.  It was one of the most fun nights of my life!  Really.  I'm incredibly grateful for the gift.

But in the end, it is Travis and the other good men in my life that I am a true fan of.  My children's godfathers, my brothers, Newman friends, my husband - these are the men who are building up our culture and the Kingdom.  How blessed I am to have a front row seat.