EDEN & GREG

L.A. Lights...

Los Angeles-September 6, 1986 (4:17am)

 

Happiness enters the world in the form of a baby. A beautiful, 8lb 15oz, baby girl is born at Santa Monica Hospital in Los Angeles. Eden Nicai Bridgeman, “the princess”, has arrived. The little sister Justin and Ryan have been ….ummmm…waiting for, well maybe for Ryan at least. How could it be that she is so Hollywood after only 3 weeks? I guess you can take the girl out of Hollywood but you can’t take the Hollywood out of the girl.

 

Los Angeles-October 31, 2007 (9:48pm)

 

Halloween in Los Angeles, its like Mardi Gras meets Taste of Chicago. Voltaire, one of Greg’s Best Friends and former Whitney Young classmate, has waited to the very last minute to plan his costume. En route to his friends Darrell and Mateo’s place to pre-party, Greg and Voltaire hit the local thrift shop. Shiny and skinny bell bottoms…check…one size too small pleather jacket…check…one smooth hat to set it off…check…pink boa…double check.

 

This is Greg’s first time in LA and it’s quickly becoming his favorite trip ever. Night after night of meeting great new people, sharing laughs, watching Chapelle Show, and just enjoying life. Darrell jokes that Greg is now his new BFF replacing Voltaire. Late night stops at 7-11 for chips and salsa and an impromptu Mateo Listening Party. Mateo is a true talent and Greg is sold on the whole album. Time to spread the word in Chicago!

 

Los Angeles-August 13, 2009 (12:00pm)

 

“The Song.” More than a song actually, the soundtracks to a future love. Mateo records Get To Know Me…more on that soon.

 

In his own words Mateo talks about his goal as a musician. “My ultimate goal is for people to hear the music and be able to see themselves inside the stories that I tell within the music.” Mission accomplished.

 

Fast forward to June 2, 2011. A cool evening in Chicago, decked out in a cardigan and tie, Greg pulls up to Eden’s apartment. A guy has a lot to think about before a first date. Attire? Restaurant? Conversation? Music? Yes, what music should I play? Can’t be too romantic on the first date right?

 

After a wonderful dinner at Tango Sur. it was time to make secure the second date. Time for the secret weapon, Get To Know Me. On the way home Greg plays Mateo’s hit. Rumor has it that he may have tried to sing along as well. Either way it worked. A day doesn’t go by that this song doesn’t have an effect on Eden.

 

Los Angeles-March 2, 2013 (7:00pm)

 

All dolled up and ready for a perfect evening, Greg, Eden, and Voltaire head to Hollywood. For Eden it seems like any other weekend, friends, fun, and new experiences. But Greg and Voltaire both know tonight is the night that changes them forever. Greg puts his hand back in his right pocket, yeah the rings still there, just like it was the 9 times he checked before.

 

Voltaire is furiously texting to make sure everything is in place. You can almost picture the look on Darrell’s face as he get’s his third text in as many minutes and responds again, “Stop worrying, I got this.”

 

Greg is hoping Eden doesn’t notice the sweat on his palms as they hold hands together while they walk towards the beautiful loft in Hollywood overlooking the City of Angels.

Eden and Greg are separate worlds at this point, Eden taking in all the sites, the beauty of the building as they get into the elevator. Greg doesn’t notice as he tries to look cool, the whole time replaying the next 5 minutes in his head over and over.

 

The door opens and Get To Know Me echoes through the hallway. “That’s our song (Eden’s Kentucky drawl comes out).” Greg asks for a dance from a confused Eden, but she obliges. She still doesn’t know it’s coming. Greg whispers in her hear but it doesn’t matter what he says as she is in her own confused world. Maybe this will get the point across. Greg drops to one knee, the ring box now glowing in his hand. “Will you marry me?” Eden musters one word; it’s clear and emphatic however. “Yes!” Cue the waterworks.