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(c) Whitney Now, I feel that I can speak for a lot of people out there when I say that through the Backstreet Boys, we fans have met a lot of people, many of which have become our closest friends. Case in point is Tina Foster, a girl that I met in Charlotte, NC for the BSB concert there last week. A friend of mine and I began talking to her in line before the show, and ended up chatting with her right up until the concert started. Shock of all shocks, she worked down the road from where I went to school, four hours away. We parted with plans to get together once we got back, and I cheered the fact that the Backstreet Boys had led me to yet another person in this world that I could call friend. I never would have met her otherwise. Unfortunately, we never got the chance to develop that friendship. My friend and I hit the road to see the Boys in Atlanta, Philly, and then D.C., which didn't bring us back home (for a period longer than 24 hours) until Sunday afternoon. I planned to call Tina the next day and tell her about our adventures, because we had almost talked her into coming with us. That night as I was watching X-Files, the lead in for the news showed a picture that looked frighteningly like Tina. I started to panic, and immediately got in touch with the friend I had been with when we met her. She agreed that it looked a lot like Tina. Our worst fears were confirmed just minutes later. Tina was dead. She had been murdered after leaving from work just three days after we had met her. Even though I only knew her for a very short time, she has impacted my life. I got the chance to know her through the Backstreet Boys, and I would like to request to each and every one of you to take a moment to remember her, and thank God for the people you have met because of the five men that are loved by so many of us. Tina was a Backstreet fan, and because of that, in a way we all know her. She was one of us, who had hopes and dreams that she wanted to make come true, and she found a little of her inspiration in a music group that has touched the lives of millions. I am so, so thankful she got to see that show, and that we got to spend some time with her. Thank you to all of you out there who are a part of this world. Thank you to Brian, A.J., Nick, Howie, and Kevin for creating this world. You'll never know how much it means to us. Tina was a big fan of yours, and I am proud to say that because of that she was a friend of mine. That right there is something that is very, very special. Please take this little message to heart, and remember it. Even though there are millions of us, all over the world, and most of us will never meet, we're a family. Tina was apart of that family. I ask that we stand together, and remember her for that. Nick Carter said recently that Backstreet fans are the strongest there are, and I agree with him. Thank you, for bringing all of us together.
I am the other girl who met Tina that day in Charlotte. Whitney and I were so happy to meet her. She was the sweetest thing, and definitely one of the nicest we met on that week long trip we took to see the concerts. All we really want is for her to be remembered, especially for her kindness. She was one of us - part of a huge Backstreet family. And she will be missed dearly. |