Mother of Four Attends Backstreet Boys Vegas Residency

A mother of four recently took a 48-hour break from her family to attend a Backstreet Boys concert at the Sphere in Las Vegas. Although she was hesitant due to logistical challenges and maternal guilt, her husband encouraged her to go. The author booked a round-trip flight from New York, paying over $500 for a ticket. The trip lasted exactly 48 hours, flying out Sunday morning and returning Monday night.

She described the experience as a 'pilgrimage' and a 'millennial rite of passage.' The author emphasized the importance of women reclaiming parts of themselves that existed before partners and children. She noted that the trip required significant 'invisible labor' to prepare the family for her absence. Ultimately, she returned home feeling renewed and reminded of the importance of joy and friendship.

The trip was conceived in February when the Backstreet Boys announced a Las Vegas residency at the Sphere. At the time, the author was 26 weeks pregnant with her fourth child. Her two college friends immediately suggested booking tickets, noting the band was the soundtrack to their college years. However, the author initially hesitated due to the timing of the shows in July and August, which coincided with her newborn being just two months old.

Managing four children, the oldest of whom was only six, made the idea of leaving feel 'borderline ridiculous.' Despite these concerns, her husband gave her the 'green light,' telling her, "Go." He stated, "I don't get the appeal, but don't skip it because of us. I can handle it."

Planning the trip proved difficult. The shows were scheduled Friday through Sunday, which clashed with the author's observance of Shabbat. This left Sunday night as the only option, requiring a morning flight and asking her nanny to work on a day off. She also felt hesitation before giving birth due to superstition and maternal guilt.

By late summer, social media clips of the show convinced her to commit. She related to a meme about a mother asking her own mom for permission to go, stating, "I'd never felt so seen."

In July, the author finally decided to book the trip. She and her friends arranged a round-trip flight from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. The schedule was tight: departing Sunday morning and returning on the red-eye Monday to be back for Tuesday's camp drop-off.

The financial commitment was significant. Due to the show's popularity, ticket prices had surged. The author paid more than $500 for her seat. She noted that while her hands shook when clicking the purchase button, she convinced herself it was worth it for a memory that would last a lifetime.

The preparation required extensive effort before she could leave. She had to write lists, make phone calls, pre-cook meals, lay out outfits, arrange carpools, and pack snacks. The author described this as the 'invisible labor' that often falls on mothers in her household.

The trip lasted exactly 48 hours but felt like a pilgrimage. The author described it as a millennial rite of passage that connected her back to her adolescence. For the weekend, she felt she was not just a mother of four, but the girl who once choreographed dorm-room routines to "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)."

Two specific moments defined the trip for her. The first was the walk from the Wynn hotel to the Sphere. The hotel had mapped out a route for fans, who were dressed in white and humming along to the music. By the time they reached the venue, they formed a 'sea of white,' creating a euphoric atmosphere.

The second moment occurred inside the venue when the band launched into "Get Down." The author noted that she hadn't danced like that in a long time, and neither had the estimated 20,000 other people in attendance. She described the event as a giant dance party rather than just a concert.

The author highlighted the contrast between her role at home and her experience in Vegas. She noted that while there were men at the concert, it was undeniably a 'female-led affair.' The experience was about women reclaiming the pieces of themselves that existed before partners, careers, and children.

She left Las Vegas feeling tired but renewed. The trip reminded her of the importance of joy and friendship. She expressed a desire for her children to learn to seek out and protect joy, even if that means 'singing your heart out in a giant blue orb in the middle of the desert.'

Looking ahead, the author mentioned that the Backstreet Boys are scheduled to return to the Sphere during Christmas, New Year's, and February. While she will be at home with her children during those dates, she supports other women who decide to take similar breaks for nostalgia-fueled joy.