⚡ “TRIC, Teen Dreams, and a 4ft Inflatable Stitch: Wilmington Wasn’t Ready”

It’s a gloomy Sunday morning in Wilmington, but my soul? Bright. My redbull? Strong. My inner fangirl? Screaming.

Because this morning, I stood under the TRIC sign. You heard that right — the TRIC. The one from One Tree Hill, where all the drama unfolded, the bands performed, and our teenage hearts went through it every single week. Complete with the iconic lightning bolt “I”, still shining like the beacon of teen angst it was always meant to be.

The second I saw it, I called my mom. And like any emotionally well-balanced adult, I immediately called her best friend Jessica (aka my aunt from anotha’ motha) to the call, because this was not a solo moment. This was a core memory decades in the making. I needed emotional backup.

I used to sit on my mom’s couch watching One Tree Hill, while Jessica would passionately arguing about why black socks should be outlawed (still true) and the three of us unapologetically drooling over the basketball players’ legs. Even then. Especially then. Nathan Scott in a Ravens jersey? A formative experience. Lucas Scott looking pensive under the bleachers? My Roman Empire.

Flash forward to now — older, still extra, and standing in front of that very same fictional nightclub with Liz and Chase, my real-life ride-or-dies. Who is the Brooke Davis of your group: confident, kind, fierce, and somehow always camera-ready?

Chase… well, his name is literally Chase, so he was basically required to be here by TV law. And he's earning extra points just for putting up with our emotional spiral over a 2000s CW series.

We laughed, took photos, and may or may not have reenacted some iconic scenes (IYKYK). I swear I heard Gavin DeGraw in the background. Either that or the dramatic soundtrack that now plays in my head every time I see red brick and staircases.

🛍️ Wilmington = Danger Zone for My Wallet

After our TRIC moment, we did what any emotionally charged women would do: we went shopping.

Big shocker, I know.

And y’all… I found some cute pieces that somehow screamed both cozy dog mom and concert-ready chaos queen. And as usual, I couldn't resist picking up a few things for the dogs — because if I get emotional support, they get emotional support treats. Fair is fair.

But the real highlight of the haul?

A Lilo & Stitch Bluetooth speaker AND a 4-foot inflatable drivable Stitch from Five Below. Let that sink in. Drivable. Inflatable. Stitch. And yes, I will be riding it. Probably in my driveway. Possibly while drinking iced coffee and judging the HOA.

Would I recommend it? 1000% yes. Go forth and claim your inflatable joy, my friends.

🎤 Concert Mode: Activated

Now the countdown begins. Tonight is the Mike. concert. I’ve got a meet & greet pass, eyeliner that could cut glass, and a very strong feeling I’m going to cry at least twice (minimum).

We’re about to go from lightning bolts and teen dreams to live music and full-grown emotional damage (in the best way). And if he performs anything close to woosah or oasis, I’ll be calling my therapist in the morning — just in case.

✨ Full Circle Moment Activated

From watching One Tree Hill on my mom’s couch to standing outside TRIC with my people, a coffee, and entirely too many shopping bags... this weekend has been a hug to my inner child, the chaotic college student in me, and the grown woman who still fangirls hard and believes in romantic monologues at open mic nights.

💬 Stay Tuned:

Tomorrow's recap will include:

• Emotional damage via lyrics

• Possibly crying in the meet & greet line

• A report on whether inflatable Stitch fits in the car ride home