One week from today I’ll be at the Amway Center in Orlando with a bunch of 30/40 something’s pretending I’m a teen again with New Kids on the Block, Boys to Men and 98 Degrees.

Honestly, I could care less about the first two.  For me, it’s all about the Lachey boys.

When I tell people this, I get the weirdest looks.  Most are all about NKOTB. And they are fine.  But let me explain how 98 has stolen my heart.

This personalized autographed poster from 98 Degrees hangs on my wall at work.

Back when I worked at Walt Disney World, I had the strangest, but coolest job.  My job was literally to escort media around Disney property as they were here to cover celebrity visits.  I’ve met almost so many celebrities I forget most of them…which is sad.  Some of my favorites…Britney Spears, Michael J. Fox, John Stamos…to name a few.

The band, 98 Degrees was fairly new to the music scene.  They were coming down to Walt Disney World to film performances for the now-defunct Easter Parade.  My job was to escort reporters from Tiger Beat magazine for about one week as we followed the 98 boys all around the park.

Yep – that was my job.  It was crazy.

We literally followed them around and hung out.  And by hang out, I mean hang out.  We played basketball at the resort they were staying at.  One of the guys broke their finger while playing and we had to take him to the hospital. (I can’t remember which guy!!)

We went to Disney Quest to shoot some photos and I did the “Build Your Own Roller Coaster” with Drew Lachey.

Then we escorted them around EPCOT as they did their performances over and over and over again.  I heard the songs, “Because of You” and “The Hardest Thing” probably 100 times that day.  And I fell in love with them.  They were the nicest guys.  They really liked each other and were very nice to everyone.  I was with them for a week and there was never a time I found them annoying, obnoxious or rude.

I’m so excited to see them in concert now over 14 years later.

Check out some of the pictures from Tiger Beat magazine.

98 Degrees gets a 6-page spread in Tiger Beat Magazine in 1998.

98 Degrees gets a 6-page spread in Tiger Beat Magazine in 1998.

Yes – my name was printed in Tiger Beat magazine. I feel like this should be on my resume or something!