So, I guess you can say it all began with DarcyDarcyDarcy and her tweet to Richie about what we'd do in the meet and greet photos if we ever went to the show.

Okay, we had no idea if he was gonna reply, but we could dream. When he actually did reply, her mom found that hilarious and let us get VIP tickets to the show for her early birthday present. I was (and still totally am) completely obsessed with Braden Barrie, so I was in for a treat.

So for the next month, all that Darcy and I did was sit in shock and disbelief that we were actually going to meet all of them. It didn't hit me until the day of the show, where I was super anxious and excited all day in school.

We left around 4:00pm to get to The Crofoot in Pontiac, Michigan. When we got to the venue, we waited in a VIP line outside for about 45 minutes. It seemed like a long time, but it was really fun meeting fellow emos and fans of the artists. We even met a band called Rivers Monroe, an opening act. The lead singer told me that I have "crazy cool eyes".

When we finally got inside, the small venue looked cute with all of the merch tables and lights. I bought an awesome SayWeCanFly shirt and a Social Repose bracelet.

Shortly, the VIP started and we gathered around two stools where Johnnie and Braden would be playing acoustic songs for the start of the VIP bundle. We also got signed posters and a copy of "Blessed Are Those", Braden's new album.

I was super thrilled. And then the real excitement started when Johnnie and Braden walked in. It was just so unreal to actually see my idols that I only saw on a screen.

That was my view of them for the pre-show acoustic set. About 20 of us crowded in front of them, and I got a pretty good spot directly in front of them. Richie was not there for this part, and he showed up late. I believe he was filming a video about Onision and Billie and Ayalla at this time.

Braden started his pre-show set first. He sang "When I Come Home", off his EP called "Darling". It was amazing, and I stood directly in front of him as I shook like a leaf and teared up from the excitement.

This part of the show was in Braden's vlog called "My Friends Made Me Emo (AGAIN)". If you look closely, you can see me in the red and black flannel, taking videos of the whole thing. I am the second person on the left.

The girl to the right of me even had a lighter that she waved in the air during "When I Come Home", which Braden told the person who was filming to film the lighter. This was also in the vlog.

Johnnie went next and played "Song Without A Name". He did great! He also seemed so small in real life. He was about my height, which is 5'3. He was without a doubt skinnier than me, too.

After the pre-acoustic show, Richie came in. It was pretty funny, because when we all started screaming for him, he tried to run away.

The next part was the official meet and greet photos. We all got in a line to take pictures with them. Darcy and I were in the middle of the line, and my heart was beating out of my chest because I would finally be able to stand next to them.

When it was my turn, I went up to them as I shook so bad. I didn't really know what to say, so I just kinda said "hi," very shakily. Then, Johnnie opened his arms and I hugged him. Because of our similar heights, his messy hair went in my face. I hugged Richie next, and he had a warm smile on his face. I then went to hug Braden, and I nearly cried. My arms went around his waist (and he was kinda squishy!)

In the meet and greet photo, I stood between Johnnie and Richie. It turned out to be a really bad photo, because I was so shaky. In the picture, I had my arms around Johnnie and Richie. I was so shaky and smiling like a dork, so I'm not gonna add the picture in.

Darcy did end up doing the kick line with Richie, too, and she claims that it was awkward. I think it was pretty cute.

After the photos, the guys made time to hang out with all of us before the people with general admission came in. This was my favorite part, because I got to individually take pictures with them and talk to them.

I went up to Braden first, because there wasn't anybody around him. I said hi again and gave him another hug. We took a sweet picture together.

"You have the most angelic voice I've ever heard," I had said to him.

He replied with a thank you. He was a little shy, but it was so cute.

"I still remember the time when we went to HotTopic together and saw one of your shirts there," Darcy told him and then pointed to me. "She gushed about how proud of you she is."

I blushed like a dork and nodded.

As the next person came up to him, we moved along to Johnnie. Darcy got a picture with him, and so did I. I liked these pictures a lot better.

I also asked him to get a video for my friend Haley, aka haleyistrash. I took a video of him saying hi to her and that he wishes she was at the show. Once I sent her the video, she cried from happiness. It was great.

Last, we went over to Richie, who had fans swarming around him. When it was my turn, I got a picture and another hug.
Again, my face in this picture ended up being really bad so I scribbled it out on snapchat.

"I love your music so much," I said to him.

"Thanks! I hope you'll enjoy the show then!" Richie smiled.

They were all so nice! It seemed like Johnnie was the least shy out of the three of them.

The people that came in for general admission began to enter the venue, meaning that Braden, Johnnie, and Richie had to go backstage and prepare for their sets.

The venue was all standing, so Darcy and I could see fairly well from the second row of people. The girls that stood in front of us were extremely nice, and one of them even took a video of Braden because I was short and couldn't see too well.

The first act to go on was an alternative band called Fairview, made up of two girls and a guy. They were pretty good, and interacted with the fans. Rivers Monroe, the punk rock band we met in line went on after them. They preformed a cover and some originals.

Case Huglin went on after them. He was a solo artist who sang acoustic originals. He did really great, and was a super nice guy. I recommend listening to his music, because it fits the alternative scene.

Richie's set was next. It took him a while to set things up, but it was fun shouting things at him while he was getting his microphone to work. Darcy asked him what his favorite toothpaste it was, and he said "Colgate", with a blank look on his face. The crowd told him to pose for a picture, and this is the face he made.

The lights were crazy during his set! The songs he played were:
-Island of Yours
-I Can't Sleep
-Filthy Pride
-Car Radio
-If You're Thinking of Leaving, You Should

It was a short set, but it was awesome to hear him play the songs live. During Filthy Pride, he came out into the crowd during the bridge and when he sang the words "but I can't be happy when I'm dead", the lights went black before the bass drop. We all jumped after that, and it was an intense moment.

Shortly after he left, Johnnie and Skyler came on stage. The lighting was a little weird, so the pictures came out a little fuzzy. Skyler played a drum with his songs and kept trying to flip a water bottle throughout the set.

He sang:
-Not So Perfect
-Song Without A Name (again)
-Someone So Damn Amazing
-My Mind
-You Girl (we almost had a circle pit)
-and a Christmas song (I don't think he told us the name)

And finally, Braden went on. He walked in to "There Are No Flowers In Heaven", which is the dramatic intro to his new album. He was super sweet on stage and had to say "thank you" after every song.

He sang:
-Song of the Sparrow
-Scars
-Intoxicated I Love You
-They're Calling For Rain
-Blessed Are Those
-Hearts and Flowers
-Driftwood Heart
-High School

He did a small speech, or "rant", as he called it about how we can feel safe at these shows and that he wants to interpret peace into his music. He checked in halfway through the set and asked us if we were okay, which was completely adorable.

Here's a video that I asked a girl in front of me to take. I posted it on YouTube. :)

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

I adored his set. I'm still wishing I could go back to see him perform again.

After the show, the three of them said that they would chill with us. At this time, Alex Dorame, Johnnie's girlfriend, and Leda, Braden's girlfriend came out to hang too.

Alex was very sweet! She said she liked my hair, and that is was nice to meet me. We talked about hair and YouTube. We were the same height, and again, she was much skinnier than me. I got to hug her.

Leda didn't really have anyone coming up to her, so I went to go say hi. Her face lit up, and I told her that I love her gaming videos. I hugged her too, and I'm totally not creepy, but she smelled very nice. (Skyler was vaping in the back of our picture!)

I went back up to Braden to get a third hug. I told him that he did such an amazing job, and he thanked me with a sweaty hug. Darcy got him to write down "Don't let go", from his song called "High School". This part was in the vlog, too! My shoe was in it!

We found out that Darcy's mom and sister who were sitting in the back of the venue, talked to Richie the whole time. I heard that they got along pretty well. Her mom told Richie that Braden looked like Oliver from Hannah Montana, and that got a lot of laughs out of him.

It was time to leave after that. Darcy and I were overjoyed for this experience, and it is something that we'll never ever forget.

If you ever have the chance to meet your idols, do it! You'll never regret it. :)

-Alina