I think I have finally found a replacement for Paul Newman, who, with his passing, left an opening on my “list.” (To those who do not know of the “list,” please refer to the TV show “Friends.”)

Contenders for that fifth spot have included the far-too-young Zac Efron, the far-too-likely-to-carry-an-STD Hugh Grant and the far-too-unlikely-to-follow-through Nate Berkus.

But the slot was filled, and I am ready to laminate again after rocking out — like only a Gen-Xer with four kids and a minivan can — to Bon Jovi one wild night in Kansas City last week.

Quite simply, Jon proved to all of us that he, even after all these years, was born to be our man.

Not that he’s all the same. More than his hair has changed. He has gracefully moved from glam band front man to superman, ready to save me from falling stars and the high tide.

swoon

Jon wasn’t the only person at the Sprint Center that night who had been there and done that with no plans to look back. My friend, Catherine, traded in her miniskirt and stilettos from the “Slippery When Wet” tour, opting for a maternity top and sensible boots for this go-around. And my bangs no longer defy gravity as they did long ago. They lay nicely on my forehead, covering my wrinkles.

Not surprisingly though, there were some at the concert who did not appear to have changed much since that first shot through the heart. I don’t have the space to go into detail, but it is clear there is still a market for Aqua Net and acid-washed jeans.

And there ain’t no doctor that can cure that disease.

After touring the world for the past 25 years, it is easy to believe that Jon really has seen a million faces — and definitely rocked them all. What is rather mind-blowing, however, is how different those faces are now. Bon Jovi concerts used to be packed with kids ready to party (backstage, if they were well-endowed), hoping their parents wouldn’t embarrass them by picking them up in the station wagon.

Now Bon Jovi’s audience is packed with parents driving their own cars to the show, unsure of what they would do anymore if asked backstage to party. But absolutely certain it would not involve Richie Sambora.

And everyone — including the band — is ready for bed when the stage lights fade.

Yes, much has changed, but Jon’s five words he swore were true still ring strong today, and he is not going anywhere.

Not once I laminate my list, anyway. Jon will join Bono, Harry Connick, George Clooney and Brad Pitt on my exclusive list of five, should I ever need it. In the meantime, of course, I will hold on to what I’ve got …