Music to My Ears

EDIT:  I decided to add a few pictures to make this a little more interesting:)

Do you ever hear a song and it transports you right back to a different time in your life?  It happens to me all the time.  This week I heard a song and was taken right back to my high school graduation...the sights, the smells, the feelings...everything.   Music is so powerful!  It can completely affect your mood.  I mean who doesn't smile when "Party in the USA" comes on and I don't know about you, but I always get a lump in my throat when Sarah McLachlan's, "Angel" starts to play, although the horrifying ASPCA commercials might be to blame for that one.

A very unflattering high school graduation picture.  

When I think back to every major happening in my life, I can recall music that was kind of my theme song for that time, if you will.  Early on, there was a lot of Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men.  (Yes, I had very sophisticated musical taste, even then.)  Sometimes the lyrics were really meaningful and I totally identified with them, and other times, it was just the way the song made me feel.  I mean who didn't couples' skate to "I'll Make Love to You" as a seventh grader and experience some intense feelings.  I sure did, even though I had not the faintest clue what "making love" meant.

That's the 7th grade me under those bangs:)  

The songs, "Let Him Fly" by the Dixie Chicks and "Against All Odds" by Phil Collins helped me through my freshman year of college when my long-distance, high school sweetheart chose another girl over me.  The songs didn't heal my broken heart or anything, but gave me an outlet.  I remember sitting in my dorm room, deep in the middle of an ugly cry, feeling like my whole world was falling apart, while I sobbed the lyrics, "how can I just let you walk away, let you leave without a trace" at the top of my lungs.  When it was over my heart was still breaking, but I sure felt a ton better.  By the way, aren't you relieved you weren't my college roommate...sorry, Pauline.

My wonderful roomie, Pauline.  Poor girl put up with a lot! 

When I think back to when Mark and I first started dating, I think of the song, "Heal The World" by Michael Jackson, and I smile.  It's the first song we bonded to.   Well, that and, "I Ain't Mad at Cha" by Tupac.  Our wedding song, a remix of the song, "Heaven" by Bryan Adams, will always be special to me and make me remember our younger years.  When we were newly married, Mark and I would always challenge each other to "rap-off's" to see who was the better rapper.  Okay, let's be real, neither one of us are very skilled rappers, but since there was never anyone there to judge, I always somehow ended up the winner.  So,  any Tupac song, Will Smith and "Waterfall's" by TLC take me back to that time.

Our first road trip together headed to Colorado.  

We connected when we figured out that we both loved MJ.  

Early in our marriage.  We look like pretty hardcore rappers, huh!

I've shared before that Mark and I had a rough time in our marriage a few years in.  There were times that I felt so overwhelmed, lost and alone.  I found peace in listening to Kirk Franklin.  It was a time of growth for me and really a spiritual reawakening.  His songs helped give me hope and pointed me closer to the only One who could heal our fragile marriage, Jesus Christ.  Music definitely was a lifeline to me then and I'm thankful that God sent me those songs to comfort me.  If you are needing some comfort, I would recommend Kirk Franklin's album, "Hero".  The songs, "Imagine Me" and "The Appeal" are still my go-to's.

This picture always makes me sad.  We were really struggling at this point.  I thank the Lord everyday for His healing in our marriage.

When pregnant with Rosie, the song, "Daughters" by John Mayer was pretty special and with Kiki, it was, the Glee Soundtracks...all of them.  Yes, I own them all...don't judge.

Pregnant with Rosie.  It was so fun being pregnant at the same time as my sis!

Pregnant with Kiki...Melissa wasn't pregnant this time around (obviously), but she was a huge support for me!

So, did this post have a point?  Not really, other than sometimes it's fun to think about where you've come from and where you are going and even to remember the music that was the soundtrack along the way.  What would be on your "Life Mix-Tape" if you could make one?  Just something to think about.