I’ll never forget sitting at my computer for six hours, heart racing, desperately trying to score Eras Tour tickets. When those four tickets finally appeared in my cart, I felt like I’d won the lottery – especially after hearing about the Ticketmaster meltdown that followed.

The Journey to Music City
After months of anticipation and planning, Rich and I decided to head to Nashville a day early to avoid any day-of stress. Smart move on our part – traffic was already backed up like crazy just leaving Evansville, and it was only Thursday! We took the scenic route to Nashville, deliberately avoiding I-24 (if you know, you know – that highway is pure insanity).
Being totally basic (and proud of it), we kicked off our Nashville adventure at The Cheesecake Factory. The Cacio E Pepe Pasta with chicken hit the spot, and don’t even get me started on dessert. Rich went for the salted caramel cheesecake while I chose the fresh banana cream – both were absolutely incredible.
Night One: Holiday Inn Franklin – Cool Springs
Our first night at the Holiday Inn Franklin – Cool Springs was… interesting. Walking into the lobby, we were hit with this weird musty-smoky smell that had us worried, but plot twist – our room was completely renovated with brand new everything. We couldn’t sit still though; the excitement was too real. We ended up driving through Music Row, and get this – we could see lights flickering in Taylor’s penthouse! We convinced ourselves she was probably resting up for the big show.










Taylor Swift Eras Tour – Nissan Stadium
I woke up literally buzzing with excitement. After getting all dressed up, we headed to The Perch in Brentwood for breakfast. I devoured this amazing savory crepe while Rich went for a breakfast sandwich. The best part? Spotting fellow Swifties everywhere, all of us complimenting each other’s outfits and sharing in the excitement. (Side note: Rich is seriously the best husband ever for embracing all of this!)
We fueled up for the night ahead with lunch at True Food Kitchen, where I felt like a total celebrity with people stopping by our table to compliment our concert looks. The energy was already electric, and we hadn’t even made it to the stadium yet!
The Main Event
Nothing could have prepared me for Nissan Stadium. Getting in was absolute chaos, but meeting up with Aunt Jenn and cousin Aiden made it all worth it. Standing there with 70,000 other fans was breathtaking. And when Taylor announced Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)? I literally couldn’t breathe! The best part? I was wearing a purple dress that matched one of her costume changes – it felt like fate!








































































The Aftermath
After the most magical night ever, we barely made it into our room at Tru by Hilton in Mount Juliet (they were overbooked but somehow squeezed us in). The next morning, we were still riding the concert high during breakfast at the hotel.
We spent our final day soaking in Nashville, grabbing lunch at the Assembly Food Hall in Fifth + Broadway and trading friendship bracelets with other Swifties. The cherry on top? We discovered a @Rad+Refined pop-up at the Virgin Hotel rooftop, where I got to meet Ginnie (The Thrifty Swiftie herself! ) who had helped me prep for the tour through her TikToks. We took in the breathtaking views of the Nashville skyline, all while enjoying some refreshing drinks and tasty bites. As we shared stories and exchanged laughter, it felt like the perfect way to wrap up our adventure. These Nashville day trip highlights will forever be cherished memories, reminding us of the magic of friendship and shared experiences.























We wrapped up our iconic weekend with coffee at Just Love Coffee Cafe, still in disbelief over everything we’d experienced. This weekend wasn’t just a concert – it was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I’ll treasure forever.
And yes, we sang at the top of our lungs and danced all night long. Would I do it all again? In a heartbeat! 💜✨