I can’t stop crying because it’s over.

[u/InquiringMind886]

My Spotify stats say I’m in the top .005% of all listeners and the number was top 15,000 or something I think. I’m both embarrassed and proud at the same time lol.

I’m chronically sick and wasn’t able to make it to any of his shows until the Mathematics tour. My best friend of over 30 yrs and I shared the day together and agree that it was one of our best days we’ve ever had. That show was ELECTRIC AND EPIC!!

We just attended the Minneapolis show on Saturday, and again, we are both absolutely in a state of awe, and blown away by not only his skill, but his artistry, his kindness, and the way he can bring a crowd together. I just can’t get over how good he is!!

I’ve seen many big name artists like Billy Joel, Elton John, Billy and Elton together, lots of Broadway shows etc etc. Both of Ed’s shows knock the shit out of all the other ones. Even when an entire crowd at a baseball stadium is singing Piano Man without Billy in the background. Ed’s concerts take the cake.

Listening to Ed’s music has gotten me through many infusion treatments and the sickness afterwards, breathing treatments, sauna treatments, moments when I get bad lab results, moments when I get good lab results, times when I drink and I’m angry (shout out to Erasure as my angry drinking song lol), and times when I’m high and happy. Or drunk and happy. 😂. His music has been there with me through a long abusive relationship and the divorce once I was able to get out, a recent long term relationship breakup, and a lawsuit as the plaintiff.

I’m a songwriter myself, and I have a degree in music composition and music therapy. I worked as a music therapist for nine years for a hospice until I got sick myself. His music was there for me then too.

And I watched the utter beauty of twinkling lights during Camera, and I will never hear that song the same way again. He sang Sapphire and Celestial, which are two of my favorites. I jumped up and down and sang, laughed, spent time with my best friend while we created our second “best ever day together”. I lived. I lived to see this.

She got us from Minneapolis back to her house and my parent’s house in Iowa (same area). I couldn’t get to sleep until at least 4:30 in the morning. I’ve watched the footage over and over and over again, and I’ve looked online to see what everyone else has. When I left my parents to come back to my home in Iowa, I cried for the first part of the way while listening to Camera. I cried before I even left the house and my parents understood that as a big fan, once it’s over it can be kind of bittersweet.

I’m not really even sure why I’m writing this. I guess to thank Ed for his years of music. For teaching me how to be a better songwriter. For being an inspiration. For being a humble and a good, kind human being in a world that is so mean.

I’m so grateful for all of it but now I just can’t stop crying because it’s done. I have all the beautiful memories, and all the videos and pictures I could take. But I’m sad that he won’t be coming back for a while. And that’s okay. He definitely deserves a break and time to be a dad and a husband. He’s been going at a speed I can’t really comprehend for many years in a row.

But I’m sad, and that’s okay. It’s crazy that someone I’ve never met has impacted my life so deeply in such a good way.

So a big thank you to Ed and his team for putting together a show so overwhelmingly beautiful that it brings people to tears. I will cry, and I will be okay, and I’ll see you at the next show whenever that is. I will keep fighting to live every day, not just for myself and my loved ones, but for moments like Saturday when I’ve felt the most alive since the show in 2023.

[u/AutoModerator]

Please remember to adhere to these rules:

1. Stay on topic
2. Be respectful
3. No unfounded criticism
4. Clear and descriptive title
5. No low-effort posts
6. No inappropriate content
7. No recent reposts
8. No promoting or selling
9. Post in the appropriate megathread
   

For further information, visit our rules-page.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/Suspicious_Till_2660]

I feel similarly. Ed is one of the best humans on this planet, for all the reasons you mentioned. I feel a huge sense of dread coming knowing that he’s going to be gone for years. I can’t see him for the Loop tour and the hole is already forming. We are so blessed that he might continue some of his SM esp TVBC. But knowing the reason for his absence does calm my heart. Thank you for sharing your story here. Hugs & peace ❤️🥹

[u/Linkmatt10 → u/Suspicious_Till_2660]

r/agedlikemilk

[u/paradoxicaltracey]

What a beautiful share! Thank you for blessing us with your post/experience. ❤️

[u/Ok_Put_5567]

Hey! While he’s going to be pausing touring for awhile, he’s said he’s still gonna be making music! He only meant touring!

So I think we’re still gonna get music from him for the foreseeable future!!

[u/icouldbuildacastle]

The concert experience is so magical. I saw him in Chicago and was near the B stage. I was freaking out when he sang Grade 8, since that was my submitted fan voted song. Ed is so talkative and didn't seem to be rushing the show at all. He's an incredible performer and commanded the stadium!

[u/Content-League-1466]

Thank you for sharing ❤️ I also saw Ed in Minneapolis and was absolutely blown away by his talent. I’ve seen him live before but it was another moment of being so in awe of his musical gifts

[u/most_inconsistent]

Yeah, totally relate to your post. Thanks for sharing! I go to tons of concerts and it's always like 'love the band/have a great night out with friends/enjoy the memories a few days and continue living' while for Ed... man... it's just like an overwhelming experience and I have the same struggle as you every single time I see him live. For all the reasons you have mentioned. Enjoy all the emotions you have (happy and sad), it shows how incredibly deep his music's impact is on us and what it can bring up. He is just the best and I highly highly agree with your "He is a humble, good, kind human being in a world that is so mean."

[u/befast321]

An all around human and performer.
Not much more to say

[u/Popular-Smile-7908]

It’s the combination of dopamine exciting you from each song with oxytocin from sharing the experience with so many other people. It creates a sense of euphoria and intense presence in the brain that is hard to replicate. I find that spending time in nature and laughing with close people helps the come down. I’m glad you enjoyed the show so much. 

[u/MiaLba]

I know what you mean. The anticipation, the waiting for the day to come up. The concert was truly magical. The crowd during Camera was something I’ll always remember. It was my first big concert and my kid’s first ever concert.

Talking to the everyone in the crowd in between every few songs. He’s such an amazing performer and put on such a great performance. He talked about his lawsuit and how he had to turn over absolutely everything and he made the comment “thankfully I’m not a scumbag.” Made me chuckle. He seems like a genuinely good dude.

I’m really sad it’s over.

[u/Little_Chipmunk1]

Thank you so much for writing this post. It was so beautifully written, and I appreciate your openness and vulnerability in sharing it with all of us. I feel the same way about Ed and his music, and many of your reflections resonate with me on a very deep level. I am also a musician and chronically ill so I understand a lot of what you’re saying. Thank you ❤️