Yesterday the girls, Paul and I rode our bikes down to the boardwalk to see James Durbin’s welcome home celebration at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk bandstand. I have to say that is was one of the funnest and most exciting happenings that I have experienced in a long time. An estimated 30,000 fans pilgrimaged from all over carrying I heart James Durbin signs for what turned out to be a very festive and heartwarming occassion. At one point I turned to Paul and said, “At the risk of sounding smaltzy and overly sentimental, it is amazing to me how this young man could inspire so much love and devotion and bring a community together.” It was a feel good sentiment that was obviously felt by all. The mayor of Santa Cruz declared 2011 the year of James Durbin. I’m not sure if they gave him a key to the city, but he was presented with surf board, adorned with his image. James spoke before he sang and told the crowd that he was not disappointed that he was eliminated from the competion, he was disappointed that his elimination meant he wouldn’t be able to have a welcome home celebration. It wasn’t until Friday evening, right before he was about to appear on Jay Leno, that he found out that Fox had made an exception for him. And then he sang…