I first met Kurt on New Year's Eve, 2004.
The Detholz! were playing a midnight show at the Wheaton Grand Theatre, and Andrew had invited me to come. It was, I think, only my second Detholz! show (after the Halloween show earlier that year), and I hadn't been to the Wheaton Grand in probably ten years. I was really excited to see the theatre again. When I was growing up in Wheaton, my family would go there to see movies. I remember when they closed it too, for asbestos, I think.
So, at the newly re-opened theatre, but before the show really began (maybe the first band was on), I got hungry. The old concession stand was open, and although an odd mix of candy and popcorn, they were selling candy boxes of Buttered Popcorn Flavored Jelly Belly jellybeans, which I happen to love.
I wandered into an open auditorium. It was apparently being used as a lounge/coat room. There was a doorway to the left of the stage, leading into the back theatre, where the bands played. I sat down on some seating that obviously hadn't been repaired or replaced in the last decade, and opened my box of candy.
There were a few people nearby; but I didn't really know anyone. I remember that Rachel Steinmeier and a few others put on their coats to go out to the restaurant on the corner for drinks. I was invited too, but I barely knew Rachel; I don't really drink; and I really liked my jellybeans.
All of a sudden, three guys came in, and sat down right behind me, laughing and talking loudly. They introduced themselves, and I recognized the name of one: "Kurt Hanson." Andrew had shown me some photo, or told me some story, or made some mention of most of his good friends from Wheaton, and I remember recognizing Kurt.
I offered my jellybeans. Of the three, only Kurt took some.
I wish I remember now if he had said, "Oh wow! These are my favorite!" or if he had said, "I don't think I've ever tried this flavor before," but I'm more inclined to think they were already a favorite, as they were for me.
So we sat and chatted for a while. And even after his friends got up, Kurt and I sat there, in the Wheaton Grand Theatre, sharing jellybeans.
-Amy Jacobson
