My best friend Claire Ruskin and I upped our Taylor Swift obsession with floor tickets to her 1989 concert at San Diego’s Petco Park on August 29.

Every concert is a different experience, but this one was especially exciting for us. “There is nothing better than a Taylor Swift concert, but this one was extra-special because we were so close to my idol,” Ruskin admitted.

Being in the VIP pit was new; with bright green wristbands, we considered ourselves Swift’s Number 1 fans, though we were among a hoard of people who felt the same way. “It’s such a connection just being around other Swifties [Taylor Swift fans],” Ruskin said.

Swift’s shows are a grand production; you’ll never see Swift just standing in front of a microphone. Instead, she danced across the stage and used various theatrical effects. Though a notoriously flawed dancer, Swift’s strong self esteem was revealed in her lyrics to “Shake it Off.”

Swift rewarded her fans with a special surprise. During every concert on her 1989 tour, she has brought out at least one special guest to sing or dance with her. In LA, Uzo Aduba from the TV show Orange Is The New Black joined Swift to sing “White Horse”. In Nashville, Steven Tyler helped Swift sing Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing.”

In San Diego, Swift surprised the stadium with guest appearances from both Avril Lavigne and Omi, the singer of “Cheerleader”.