- As told by Kimberly Loveless (partner of the AFOL) and written by Lorren Loveless (the AFOL).

When I woke up on March 1st, I knew today was a day that was going to be an interesting day. Today is the day new LEGO sets are released! Birds are chirping, 54 deg F chill in the air (Vegas spring weather) and according to my AFOL, he “loves the smell of bricks in the morning.” Time to wake up - time for coffee - liquid gold - large cup of java with cream—yum! For just a little background, I’m not an AFOL (Adult Fan of LEGO). I’m the partner of an AFOL. I support his hobby, his builds, and his passion for the brick.

But now back to the story. I’d gotten my COFFEE, what every partner of an AFOL needs. Today’s otherwise normal routine will be interrupted by a trip to the LEGO Store in Las Vegas the moment they open. We are lucky enough to have a local store. We used to live where the nearest store was an 8-hour drive away, one way. That’s was when my AFOL had to be online at midnight to order from LEGO.com.

This shopping day’s planning had been in the works for two weeks. He has been talking about strategy on what sets are his top priority. He wants the Technic F1 McLaren, but also the Speed Champions McLaren set as well. If those are sold out, Star Wars helmets were next – Vader and the Scout Trooper. And of course, the “WALL.” (PAB, as I’ve learned it’s called. “Pick-a-Brick” or “Pick-A-Build” as referenced in some stores.) LEGO Parts are his hobby’s lifeblood. Without these parts, his AFOL creativity stalls. (Though on some days that’s good—I can get him to do some yard work instead! 😊)

The Lego Store at the Fashion Show Mall in Las Vegas

Off to the Fashion Show Mall and the LEGO Store – it opens at 10 am so we are there 30 minutes early and see a line of 20 or so folks already lined up. We take our place in the queue. He tells me this is good, not as many people this time, and that other stores have 50 to 100 AFOLs lined up by now according to his friends in other places. I wander to the coffee place nearby, and get some more “liquid gold.” 20 minutes later I return, and the line has gotten longer.

Then all of a sudden it is crunch time… 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 – it is 10 am! Doors open. Surprisingly, calm and orderly filing into the store by the line is proceeding well. My partner is all smiles, like a kid in a candy store (more like an AFOL in a LEGO store!). We make a beeline to the Technic sets. There are no McLaren’s left – it looks like they had limited quantities to start with. Same for Speed Champions. But new shipments are due in a few days. Guess we are headed back to the LEGO Store in a few days!

We then make a beeline to the Star Wars section. Success! He grabs both the Darth Vader and Bike Trooper helmets. But now it is time to check out the “WALL”.

“Yes dear, I’ll hold on to one of your helmets for you. Let me switch hands so I can still drink my coffee.” He peruses the wall – and I hear strange exclamations: “Oh my – a Window 3 x 3 x 2 Round Corner in white!” In my mind, I’m going – “Huh?” He explains, “This is a new piece on the WALL – first found in Andrea’s House in the Friends Sets – it uses standard glass Window 1 x 2 x 2 Flat Front and give’s a ‘bay window look’ when you use two, see?” I can see his gears spinning, hamster wheel turning in his head (no smoke yet though), as he imagines how could he use it in a MOC (My Own Creation as I’ve learned they are called).

We fill a couple of large cups with parts – some with windows, some with greenish three-leaf stems, “cheese wedges” (at least they look like little pieces of cheese) and flowers (the flowers are my favorite part on the WALL because they add color to his builds). We then head to check out, the shopping extravaganza is winding dwn. As we get to the counter, he takes out his worn and well-used VIP card – we have to get those points! He makes the purchase and everything is bagged up. Less than 15 minutes in and out of the store and we are finished. It was actually a short and happy trip to the LEGO Store, though I know we will be back in a few days to see if the Technic F1 McLaren and Speed Champions sets are back in stock.

As we pull out of the drive and head down the highway to home, his adrenaline starts to wear off. And asks me for a drink of my coffee. I oblige, knowing he is happy—and a happy AFOL is a happy, creative life. Now if I can get him to do some yardwork before building!

LEGO vs yard work? No brainer, right? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

Do you want to help BrickNerd continue publishing articles like this one? Become a top patron like Charlie Stephens, Marc & Liz Puleo, Paige Mueller, Rob Klingberg from Brickstuff, John & Joshua Hanlon from Beyond the Brick, Megan Lum, and Andy Price to show your support, get early access, exclusive swag and more.