In honor of my birthday this week, I decided to write about my 21st birthday in Scotland. About 2 months before my birthday, my friends and I were hanging out at the local bar. Ed Sheeran randomly came up in the conversation, and with that, I commented that I wished he was on tour so I could go to one of his concerts. I had never seen him before and always had wanted it. I wouldn’t say that I was a super fan, but he hadn’t written a song that I did not like. I really enjoyed his music and the way he always told a story.
About 2 weeks later, scrolling on my phone, I saw an ad for an Ed Sheeran concert in Glasgow, about an hour’s train ride from Edinburgh. It was one of those moments when you realize your phone is listening to you. It just felt odd for it to appear after just talking about it. To make things even weirder, the night of the concert was my birthday. Of all the days it could have been, it was March 28th. It just felt like fate that I had to go to this concert.
So, on March 28th, my friend and I went to Glasgow. We went early to explore the city a little before going to the concert, which was beautiful, especially the university.
The concert was one of my favorites of all time. That night, I became an Ed Sheeran super fan. Hearing Give Me Love Live brought tears to my eyes, and Castle on the Hill brought so much joy. I did not realize how much Ed Sheeran’s songs have been a part of my life until that night. From car rides with friends screaming at the top of my lungs to awkward school dances that, looking back, make me laugh, to sad times in my room helping me express how I felt, and to watching my loved ones’ first dances. At that moment, I realized how much his songs meant to me and everyone in that room.
It was not your typical 21st birthday celebration, but it turned out to be the perfect one for me. I will never forget that night and the joy I felt screaming along to his music. I saw him again later in June in Nashville with my sister. Still just as amazing as the first time. So, if you ever have the chance, do yourself a favor and see Ed Sheeran in concert. I promise you will not regret it. He might become one of your favorite artists like he did with me.
Thanks for reading. Stay tuned for more of my adventures.
Mary Kate Burns 