So when I last left off, I was reluctantly going to bed to catch just a few Zzzz's before we had to get off the ship. I was sad.
We got up a few hours after we went to bed because we were in the first group off the ship at 8. We got ready, sort of. I didn't put much effort into my appearance as I planned on sleeping on a plane. And honestly, what were my chances of running into any more New Kids at this point...
We lined up outside the library with the rest in our group. It looked over onto the main floor below. I could see some of the New Kids staff people having a cup of coffee...looking EXTREMELY tired. Crunchy Kevin had ordered a cappucino and proceeded to fall asleep at the counter.
I don't think he had gone to bed yet. He looked a little rough around the edges...although at this point, ALL of us looked similar.
Then they led us off the ship. We had reserved a shuttle service to take my mother and I to the airport since our flight was relatively early. They completely messed up the reservation and just threw us on a shuttle bus full of other people. We were getting reaaaaaaaaaaaally worried we'd miss our flight because we had to wait for them to fill the bus with about 100 people before it would leave. Fortunately, we managed to make it on time...well, with a little time to spare.
Security was a bit of a wait, but we got through and found our gate. We hadn't had anything to eat yet so we went to find something. I'm somewhat of a coffee addict and there we not a SINGLE Dunkin, Starbuck's or any coffee shop in sight. It was unbelievable! There was a little cafe halfway down the terminal that had some coffee, but it was undrinkable. Maybe I'm a coffee snob, but everyone has their vices.
I felt like the walking dead at that point. It was about an hour before our flight was to take off, so roughly a half hour or so before boarding my mother decided to use the restroom one last time as I sat and watched over our bags. A couple minutes later, she comes FLYING down to our seats. I knew this could only mean one thing...NEW KIDS. She laughs every time she tells the story now because she's like, "I didn't even say anything! You just got up and ran!" Well, I mean honestly, why ELSE would my mother be running through the airport? We were already at our gate and it wasn't even boarding. So I literally get my camera and haul it down the terminal. She says, "all the way down, to the left." So I'm speed walking down. All of a sudden I hear my name. Apparently I went too far.
She's like, "Where are you going?!" I was like, "You said ALL the way down...not 10 feet down to the left!" My poor mom, I forgot that I needed someone to take the picture, and I had left my mom with all the bags, so here she is with 4 things slung all over her shoulders like some crazy bag lady. So I see it's Jonathan with some of the friends he and Jordan had brought. He looked DEAD. I mean, we were all tired, but he looked more exhausted than I thought was humanly possible. SUCH a sweetheart, though. My mom goes, "Can she please just get one picture?" Jonathan: "Suuuuuuuuure." Now can I just say, that man just sucks you right in. He pulls me to him and snuggles his head down to mine. Hang on a second...
Ok, I'm back...just had to relive that little moment there for a second. Snuggling up with Jonathan
http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2280891960083770231YAlLZd
Then it starts to dawn on me...hey....wait a minute...he's hanging out here by our gate. Maybe he's on our flight home!
So with picture taken, I decide now it's my turn to run to the restroom one last time. I start to walk down the terminal when who should I see but Jordan Knight strolling down the way. I duck into the bathroom, then proceed to leave just as quickly as I came. My dear mother, bless her heart, is already standing in the middle of the terminal looking for me, sees me, laden down with all our bags again. I get back to her, but realize pretty quickly, Jordan was not in a super-friendly picture taking mood. I also realize...hey, Jordan must be on the flight too! I mean, Jonathan I wasn't sure about since I know he has a place in LA, but Jordan I know lives in MA. So I decide to just go to the bathroom and come back. By the time I return, our flight was boarding. So we're in line to board and Jordan is literally just sitting Indian style on the ground popping corn pops into his mouth. I really think he's a big kid...seriously. So cute.
So we get on board. Joey Mac's dad was sitting 2 rows ahead of me. (I love him! I think he reminds me of my PopPop, which would explain it. Whenever I saw him around ship, he would give me a little wink like my PopPop did.) The flight attendant comes over the announcement system asking, "If passengers Jordan Knight and Jonathan Knight are seated, could you please press your flight attendant call button?" I was giggling...so much for a low profile! I had just assumed they were in first class. Next thing I know, I see Jonathan heading my way. I gave him a small smile, and he passed by to his row. (We were row 15...I think they were row 18...maybe 19.) Then Jordan comes down the aisle. He had his sunglasses on the entire time, but he looked so tired he almost looked drunk if that makes sense. My mom and I were sitting on either side of the aisle of 15, and someone was holding up the flow of traffic, so Jordan had to stop by my row for a minute. It just so happened I was sitting next to 2 young ladies who had clearly also been on the cruise given their wristbands. He looked down at us. The 2 girls said hello, how are you? So I just looked up at him. He didn't say anything, but he still had that dopey drunk looking face on (I really don't know how to describe it!). And I looked and said, "Tired? I'm sure." He just kept looking and then walked to his row. At which point he passed out cold along with his brother for the ENTIRE flight. Poor guys!
So we land in Boston and go to baggage claim to pick up our suitcases. We both had packed carry-ons...but they were a little too fat to actually be carried on. A few minutes later we Jonathan, Jordan, et al coming our way. No one was saying anything to them. My mother's like, "Get your camera." I responded, "He's tired, and I'm sure he doesn't want anyone around." She's like ok, fine. So then we see 3 women, also cruisers, ask to take a quick pic with him, and he obliges. They take their photo and then leave him be. My mother has been watching this and goes, "Look! They just did. You won't be bugging him...it will take 5 seconds." So I decide, ok, what's the worst that will happen, he says no. So my mom goes to him and says, "Will you please take one picture with my daughter?" To which answers, "Sure."
http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2439003350083770231wyzLpX
She snapped, I said thanks, and then moved away. One thing I will say, I truly tried not to be intrusive with Joey, Jonathan, or Jordan. My mother would politely ask, we would take the picture, I thanked them, and I walked away. I didn't want to pester them. I really just wanted the photo op. Collectively with all 3, I might have taken 30 seconds of time...10 each.
So we get our luggage, the Knight brothers get theirs, and we all go outside. The Knight brothers, Joey Mac's dad, and the rest of the entourage get loaded into a tinted out Escalade, which happened to be parked in front of our car service. We all get in our respective vehicles, and the trip is officially over.
I cannot believe how quickly the whole excursion was over, but I truly had the time of my life. The guys were fantastic, (most) people were wonderful and friendly, and my mother and I had fun, funny times and memories to last a lifetime. Nothing (not even another NKOTB cruise) will likely come close to the experieces I had this time because nothing is ever the same. Really, when will I ever be playing a game with them all on stage again? How about a quarter to never? But I feel blessed to have been able to do this, at least once. If there is indeed a 2010 cruise...I will do everything I can to be there.
THE END.
There was more to all it, but I just can't remember details. It's odd though because I never have dreams like that. I was sad when I woke up. 
That's a riot!!
It makes me so happy to know that you had SO much fun!!! 
I'm so glad you shared all the details with us!! 
I was happy to share!
We MIGHT camp out with my parents in their back yard tomorrow night. We're playing it by ear. On Memorial Day we have a parade in our town and Noah is in it with either his baseball team or Cub Scouts, he has to decide who he's walking with. (my vote is baseball team, that's cooler) 
We'll see though. Other than that, nothing! 
