While most of my friends and family were out tricking and treating on Halloween night, I was doing a little treating of my own. I wasn’t treating anyone else (get yall minds out the gutter), I was treating myself. Yep, I had the pleasure of doing something that I have wanted to do for over 20 years. Something that was major and in the top 5 on my bucket list, I went to see Mary J. Blige in concert.

Yes, I finally got the opportunity to see Mary J. Blige in concert and it was well worth the wait. From beginning to end, Mary did not disappoint, I have not danced that much ever;with the exception of that one time at the Velvet Room on my birthday which we don’t speak of (just know it involved booty music, vodka and tequila). Honey Mary was singing and dancing like her life depended on it and we all know that Mary loves to dance… LOL!

Now I know that some of you are thinking, seeing Mary J. Blige in concert is not major and maybe it isn’t to you. However, to a lover of music( who has been a fan from day 1) and a girl who needed a roll model that showed her that she didn’t have to be perfect and could be herself… IT WAS MAJOR! I remember exactly where I was when I first saw Mary’s “You Remind Me” video, even now when I hear the song, those feelings return.From that moment as a 14 year old girl until now as a 38 year old woman, I have always felt connected to Mary and her music.Much of her music ushered me through life. It was as if she knew me and she was singing my life’s soundtrack.

In honor of this major moment in my life, I want to share with you some of the Mary J. Blige songs that are apart of my life’s soundtrack. Oh and, I don’t need any of you judging my life! In the words of Bebe Moore Campbell (one of my favorite authors), “your blues aint like mine!” LOL!!

1. At the age of 14 years old, of course I knew what love was and of course I wanted it (insert sharp side eye). I was at that age where I had begin to  really liked boys and wanted them to notice me (although they didn’t) and Real Love was what I was looking for. So when Mary said she was,  “searching for a real love” I felt her.

2.  When I was 17 years old and feeling confused and misunderstood, she helped me understand with My Life.  *singing*

“Take your time
Baby don’t you rush a thing
Don’t you know, I know
We all are struggling
I know it is hard
But we will get by
And if you don’t believe in me
Just believe in “He”

Cause He’ll give you peace of mind
Yes He will
And you’ll see the sunshine
For real, yes you would
And you’ll get to free your mind
And things will turn out fine
Oh, I know that things will turn out fine
Yes they would, yes they would”

3. Oh Lord! When she dropped I Can Love You featuring my girl, The Queen Bee (Lil Kim) and those chicks were after my then boo Ralph, I had to let him know.

4. However, when he decided to go anyway, I let his ass know that I was Not Gon Cry (even though I did).  LMAO!

5. After having my son in 1999 and going through so much bullshit with his daddy, when No More Drama dropped I was totally feeling it. Mary’s words mixed with the music from “Nadia’s Theme (a song I loved playing in the band) which was also the theme music for my favorite soap opera (The Young and The Restless); had me shouting like I had the Holy Ghost.

6. When I was 28 years old, Mary released The Breakthrough and it was right on time, I was preparing to call it quits on a long term relationship that was going no where and although I knew that, I needed all the motivation I could get. Ladies, you know how it is when you know a man isn’t the one but you just don’t want to let him go… Yeah, that situation! So, I had Enough Cryin, Be Without You, Good Woman Down and Take Me As I Am were on replay.

7. July 14, 2007, I turned 30 years old and while I still had a lot of growing to do; my senses intensified in many areas. During this time, Mary dropped growing pains and I needed all of that. I would listen to it from beginning to end for hours on end (as a matter of fact, I am listening to it now). I finally felt that I was coming into may own as a woman. I begin to accept that I need to listen to the voices and that I had to stop running from who I was. It wasn’t instant but during this time in my life so many things became clear. Now, I could go on and on about Mary and this music but I will save some for later… However, I would love to hear from you, what are some of you favorite MJB joints?

Oh and did I mention Tamar opened for Mary… SHE DID! So, I won all the way around!