I ran into Willy Braun from the band Reckless Kelly over the weekend.

I would love to say I was out partying, livin' it up, running in musical circles and ran into him at a rockin' roots rock, Texas country show.  Only the last part is true.

Angela and I took the girls to a Rangers game on Saturday and Reckless Kelly played afterward.  It was my job to introduce the band and Willy and I exchanged pleasantries for two minutes backstage before I brought the band on.

But that brief conversation did teach me something valuable.

We're not playing music anymore.  Nicole is married with two kids and a busy life in Austin, and I have family and a radio career in Dallas.  Things change.

Willy is a nice, down-to-earth guy, so I wasn't surprised he had the recall.  He seems like the type of guy who makes an attempt to memorize the name of everyone he meets, and he might even be able to recall the names of your children if you happened to reveal them.   

The conversation just made me realize how drastically different our lives have become.  I pushed a double stroller around Rangers Ballpark most of the day on Saturday and parked it in a suite to watch the game.  The suite was the only thing that kept our 2 year-old Finley contained during the Rangers/Astros game, and it was what made our day at the Ballpark possible.  There were two diaper changes in the suite, and one bottle-feeding for 6 month-old Kallan.  Finley munched on hot dogs and ice cream.  I noticed Willy hanging out with Nolan Ryan in the owners' box during the game.

After the game I walked out to the stage area as Angela stayed behind and packed up the kids.  As I was escorted backstage I passed an enormous, sparkling tour bus that housed the guys in Reckless Kelly, and I observed more than a handful of important people with walkie talkies coordinating their arrival and start time onstage.  The only people unimpressed by all the movement were the guys in the band itself.  About the intro, their tour manager told me, "Look, we just like to keep it real simple.  Reckless Kelly from Austin, Texas..." There is no pomp or circumstance about these guys.  They're laid back, nice, and super successful.  

I walked on stage to a sea of several thousand Reckless Kelly fans, did the intro, and high-fived their tour manager as I exited.  The guys came on and rocked their show, while Angela and I pushed our double stroller to the SUV and headed back to the suburbs. 

I think both Willy and I have hit the jackpot.  Perhaps in ways not either of us could have imagined as we pounded the pavement in Austin back in 1998.  But a jackpot it is!  As he goes on to sell millions of records, what's next for me?  Another baby?  More crazy fun with the family I already have?  What will be our shining moment?  The exciting part of life is the unfolding I suppose.