June 30, 2012. I was eighteen, had just graduated high school, secretly got my belly button pierced two days prior and was on my way to the Vans Warped Tour in San Antonio, TX. I have absolutely no idea how my 17-year-old brother and I convinced my sweet, southern-belle mother to let us mosh to punk and metal all day but we did and she was even driving us. The fact that I had VIP Collectors Edition tickets pretty much canceled out the fact that I was being dropped off by my mom, in all honesty.

I found the All Time Low tent as soon as I got there. I, however, ran into a problem immediately upon arrival; you had to have a special pass for the meet and greet. I've never been one to give up easily, especially on something I wanted as bad as meeting my favorite band at the time. My spirits were quickly lifted when the announcer said there was going to be a contest to not only meet them, but to be the first in line. I didn't care what I had to do; I knew I had to meet them. It turned out to be an air guitar contest. 2012 me wasn't as outgoing and care-free as 2016 me. I was completely out of my element. Nonetheless, I screamed, "PICK ME!" as loud as I possibly could and was chosen to be one of two people in the contest. Their newest song "Just the Way I'm Not" blared over the speakers and I let myself go. I can't describe the feeling I had when I slayed that song on my air guitar (complete with an over dramatic solo in my true fashion), but the closest thing I can compare it to is after taking three tequila shots.

I won that contest. I stood in front of the line hyperventilating for five minutes waiting for them to take their seats. I made it all the way through the line without throwing up or crying. I even showed Jack my belly piercing and had Alex write "xoxo Alie" on my phone case. I fainted shortly thereafter.

Step out of your comfort zone every now and then. You just might meet your favorite punk rock band.