If Music Be The Food of Love, Play On.

It amazes me how powerful music is. And I love it. I love music, and I love it's power. It can totally take over a person's emotions. It can be healing. It can boost a person's esteem. It can make a person break down and cry. And one of my favorite things about music, is how it can make you remember. . .

I had a fun time this past weekend. Brian took me to Bear Lake to stay in a cabin with a bunch of his friends from high school. It was great to finally meet them all. And even though we were the only not married couple there, I managed to fit in somewhat. After a few days of the fun at Bear Lake, we drove back to Logan and went to a baptism. All baptisms are special of course, but this one felt very special. One of the Ethiopian girls that got adopted and now live in Logan, got baptized. From there, we went to Brian's house and we were in a boat parade! It took place at night, and all the boats were decked out with lights! Amazing!

Even though everything about this weekend was a good time, I very much enjoyed mine and Brian's time on the road together. It was his job to drive Danger Ranger from point A to point B. It was my job to pick the music. Brian and I both love music, which makes driving with the tunes blasted a guaranteed good time. We both get excited about the songs that come on and we sing them together like it's nobody's business. After all, what really sealed the deal with me falling for Brian was the night I learned he could play the guitar. And sing. Well. But that's a whole different story for another day. . .

The interesting thing about our concert in the truck though, was when I'd put on a song I loved. . .and Brian didn't know it. I was in shock with a few of the songs. I listened to some of them constantly in high school. But while I was in high school, Brian was doing that little, two-year mission thing. And they don't really get to listen to music on those. Unless it's like church related or something. I told him I'm going to make him a mix of all the awesome songs that he's missed out on.

It's funny how different people have their music (their is a goofy word, by the way). And it's funny how you can hear certain songs, and they take you back to a certain memory. Instantly.


Boston by Augustana
My first date. . . If you know this song, you'll guess that my first date must have not been the greatest thing to ever happen. I've heard worse stories about first dates. But mine was definitely awkward. I had the hugest crush on the boy I went with too, so it was a pretty sad experience. I remember as we were sitting in the Mexican restaurant, eating our food, this song came on. There were hardly any people in the restaurant, so you could hear the song nice and clear. . She said I think I'll go to Boston...I think I'll start a new life,I think I'll start it over, where no one knows my name. Yep, that sounded about right. I wanted to get far away from that restaurant I was sitting in. As far away as Boston even. I tried not to cry as I picked at my burrito and listened to the sad song about escaping. That cute boy didn't talk to me again after that date. Until years later. But my sixteen-year-old taste had changed after 3 years when he came back when I was 19.


Fireworks by Plain White T's
Hurdle races. . . Mmmm, hurdle races. I listened to this song before every high hurdle race in high school. It did wonders for me. With volleyball and basketball, I never got the least bit nervous. Track was a whole different story. It could be the day of a small track meet where I knew there wouldn't be much competition. . .and I'd still be sick all day at school. I got crazy uptight before my events. People knew to just steer clear from me. You just don't want to talk to Kelsey when she's in the zone. This happy song always calmed me down a little. I could still hear it ringing in my ears after the gun would go off. I would explode from those blocks just like some fireworks, and try my best to tear through those hurdles.


White Houses by Vanessa Carlton
I think she wrote this song for me. . . This song is about losing people you love, losing a part of yourself, and losing your innocence. Maybe you were all faster than me. . We gave each other up so easily. . These silly little wounds will never mend. I feel so far from where I've been. So I go, and I will not be back here again. I'm gone as the day is fading on white houses. I lie, put my injuries all in the dust. In my heart it's the five of us. In white houses. The summer I first heard this song (summer before my senior year) was the summer that two of my best friends moved away for college, the summer my heart got torn out and stomped on, and the summer I forgot who I was a little bit. And there were five of us friends. And the song takes place in summer too. It's kind of ironic, really.


If You Wanted a Song Written About You, All You Had to Do Was Ask by Mayday Parade
A night I was really drugged, and really ticked off. I had just gotten my wisdom teeth out, and those that encountered me during that time can back me up on the fact that I was very goofy. It was the first time I'd been on any kind of pain relief besides your basic pain relief medicine. And boy, did that stuff work like a champ. I can remember little parts of what I said and did, but not everything. But I've heard stories. Two things that don't mix well, I learned, are drugs and boys. I had been dating a few boys, just having fun before I went to college, but there was one that I really liked. The big problem with us was that we were a lot alike. We played head games with each other like mad. And I discovered I liked doing the playing lots more than getting played. He was just about to leave on his mission, and he promised me that he'd come see me after I got my wisdom teeth out. Well, he lied. I was out and about after my teeth were out. I wasn't swollen at all. Just goofy and sometimes emotional. So I went to the fireworks in Preston with my family and my sweet Shayla. The boy was also there. With another girl. As we were getting ready to leave, I was mad. I don't know everything I said and did. But I was told later that we ran into some of his friends and his little brother, and I told the brother, "Tell your brother I hate him." I don't really remember all that rage, but I do remember this song coming on and yelling at my mom to turn it up louder. And louder. And louder. And I hope this makes you happy now that the flame we had is burning out. And I hope you like your pictures facing down, as even broken hearts may have their doubts.


I could do this forever. It's kind of fun. But I'll just do one more, so I don't bore the couple people out there kind enough to read my blog.


God Love Her by Toby Keith
A boy dedicated this song to me once. I'm not even joking. I've never had a real sweet, beautiful song dedicated to me by boys I dated. It was always songs like this one. But I actually take a little bit of pride in this particular dedication. I remember the boy saying, "I've been listening to this song all weekend, and it totally makes me think of you." I'm pretty sure I laughed out loud. And I still do everytime I listen to it, might I add. You better believe I downloaded it off iTunes the day after he had me listen to it. She holds tight to me and the Bible on the backseat of my motorcycle. So I'm a good girl that likes to have fun. And sometimes I do unpredictable things. I think I can live with that.



Music can change the world because it can change people.

~Bono

Thanks Bono. You're the man.