by K. Couch, Cinnaminson, NJ

I grew up in a Boston suburb and was lucky enough to see bands like Echo & The Bunnymen and Psychedelic Furs in their prime. Sadly, I had two chances to see The Police that never materialized. The last time was in 1983, when my mother thought it was more important for a 16-year-old boy to see the Maine coastline than some punky rock band in Foxboro Stadium. A year later The Police were history and by all accounts never to play together again. I never fully recovered or completely forgave my mother.

Time passed. I moved to New Jersey, got married, had kids, lost a considerable amount of hair. My Police catalog changed from cassette to CD to iPod but never lost its place of favor in play rotation. Then, on July 28, 2007, I found myself at Fenway Park under a full moon with amazing center-stage seats and my best childhood friend watching The Police perform live. It was magic. Everything was just the way it should have been 24 years before. That missing piece of my youth had been reclaimed.

The next morning I forgave my mom.