Sometimes things change so fast that you can forget where you started.
By just week 2 of Louis' world tour, we're already accustomed to a sea of pride flags during Only the Brave.
If someone had bet you there'd be far more rainbow flags at Louis' concerts than there were at Harry's, you'd have laughed and taken that bet in a heartbeat.
Think back to pre-tour. At his previous few live performances there had been a couple of flags. Definitely not a sea. Not really engaged with by Louis - one possible pointing to one once. Maybe.
Tour nearing, and social media posts urging people to bring flags if they can, to be brave, to let Louis know we see him and won't let closeting swallow him entirely. The awful fear it would be a few flags at most in a sea of haters, or maybe even none at all.
And then the first concert. How tenuous and exciting it felt to see rainbows during the song. All night Louis looked euphorically shocked. Like maybe the relentless distancing from lgbtq hadn't worked after all. Like maybe his fans were stronger and more numerous than he ever could have dreamed.
That first night, Louis was overcome, turning away after OTB to wipe a tear from his eye.
It still seemed like the best we could hope - the crowd brings a few rainbows and he ignores it and we hope it secretly means something to him.
And then just two concerts in, Louis fonded so hard at the pride flag that fell at his feet on stage. Stared and stared and smiled. We were stunned.
Louis started taking band photos with the crowd every show, instructing fans to go wild, and as a result there are rainbows on Louis' social media timeline for the first time ever. Clever, Lou.
And then the next concert - THANKS FOR THE FLAG LOVE. Into the mic. Casual. Loud. Holy shit! It was a major deal, acknowledging a pride flag officially for the first time.
Now Louis has begun reminding people to get their rainbow lights out, their flags out, as part of introducing OTB.
"Get them up!" "Let me see them!" "That was prettty cool, at least for me!" "You make me feel so welcome!"
Like he did again here.
And look at the sheer volume of flags. Not held at chest level as a secret sign but high and exuberant. Not Louis ignoring but encouraging lights and flags. Not a few people but nearly everyone.
Whatever else happens, THIS HAPPENED.
Don't forget how much has changed. Hold the contrast in your mind and marvel.
