I’m just going to skip right to dessert – meeting Mr Lordi was like meeting an actual God, or like, the king of the wildest woods you’ve ever seen. It was mind blowing and epic, and I still can’t believe it happened. I’m so thankful for photos, because half the stuff that happens to me seems so dreamlike afterwards that I have to look at them just to prove to myself that it actually occurred!

Mister Lordi was standing at the backstage doors, sheltered from the rain, as I walked up to him. There was a handful of other people scattered about. He asked the general crowd loudly whether anyone had a cigarette and I, quaking, quickly volunteered my “emergency” cigarette. I barely ever smoke these days but I like to keep one on me, just in case the need arises. And tonight it did, and I couldn’t have been happier. If I could have got down on one knee and presented it to Mister Lordi, I would have!

He was the epitome of kindness, and I spoke to him in Finnish and asked him to sign my albums covers, which he did, after a fight with my Sharpie. He couldn’t get the lid off with his massive claws, so I held one end and he pulled the other! He told me to hold my album covers in the light, and then he signed each one carefully. He very patiently posed for photos with me, and then I said in Finnish that my mum sends you her regards, and he roared with laughter!

My heart couldn’t have been lighter as I skipped home, clutching my treasures.

I have now met Mister Lordi!