Blogvember Day Eight | Mixtape

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November 8 –What songs would be on the soundtrack of your life?

Music is powerful. And it has been a huge part of my entire life. With one note it can take you soaring back to a moment in time. It can lift your soul. It can make you shed tears of grief. It can make you laugh. Music is a universal language, you don’t even have to understand the words if the artist is pouring their soul into the song.

I’ve grown up surrounded by music. I took piano lessons during my early elementary school years. I picked up clarinet in late elementary and bass clarinet in high school. I toted that big thing around in football band and marching band. Until my sophomore year when I joined the color guard rifle squad. I was in chorus from the first year it was offered until I graduated. I also grew up in a musical family. My Grandma always had music playing in her house, my Dad was always singing or humming an old hymn and every summer our big family outing was spending the weekend at a hymn sing.

As a teenager I loved making mixtapes. I would spend hours beside the radio, waiting for a song to come on so I could record it. It was inevitable…either the phone would ring, the dog would bark or someone would talk. There was always one mixtape that was your favorite, and you’d play it again and again until it wore out.

When I met my husband, his love for music equaled mine. Many of our dates were just driving around listening to music. And his voice played such an important role in our love story. After we had babies, our house was full of music and singing and living room dance parties.

In my life there is a song for every pivotal moment. And when those songs come on, it takes me right back in time to that exact moment. Music has always been tied to emotions with me. There are songs to this day that still invoke the memories of what it meant to me years ago.

My Life Mixtape

Daddy Sang Bass by The Statler Brothers // When I was little our only way to play music was on a record player. One of the first records I can remember us having was Statler Brothers hymns. It was mine and my Dads favorites. I wore that poor record out. I adored this song and listening to my Dad sing it. I’m blessed to have a husband that can sing the best bass around. And sometimes if I turn this song on, I can talk him into singing it with me. When I’m sitting at my desk working or browsing Facebook, I always have Gaither Vocal Band radio station on. My love for quartets and harmonies is serious.

Standing on the Promises by Alan Jackson // During my piano lesson years, old hymns were part of my curriculum. When I would practice at home and play this song, my Dad would come in and stand beside the piano and sing. He would sing the melody and I would sing the harmony. My neighbor said her favorite summer evenings were swinging on her porch listening to me play the piano and my Dad and I singing. Those are such precious memories for me. Even now, when there is a Sunday we sing this song in church, my heart does a little leap. And you can bet I belt out those harmonies.

Friends by Michael W. Smith // So, so many tears were cried at church camp while singing this song around the campfire. Arms around each others shoulders, swaying back and forth and crying our faces off. It’s so funny, all these years later and I still get teary when I hear this song.

The Son Hath Made Me Free by The Kingsboys // While other teenage girls were crushing on NKOTB and Backstreet Boys, this girl was crushing hard on the Kingsboys. Goodness. Teenage Christian boys that can harmonize, wasn’t that every girls dream? I had every single one of their albums, one even being autographed. I still play them and sing along, although I can only do that when I’m home alone. The rest of my family aren’t fans of their music. I’m still a sucker for amazing harmonies. Fairly sure I have my Dad to thank for that.

Hold On by Wilson Phillips // My Freshman trip was hard y’all. I felt like everyone was in their cliques, including my friends, and I had no one to buddy around with that day. The entire day was hard, beginning to end. I couldn’t wait for it to end and me to crawl into my Moms car and go home. On the bus ride home this song came on. I was thankful it was dark, because the tears were rolling down my face. Every single time I hear this song, it takes me right back to that day. And how heartbroken my little teenage heart felt.

To Be With You by Mr. Big // Every single time I hear this song it takes me back to a dance after a wrestling match. It was a cold snowy Friday night. I was feeling a little sad because the boys kept asking my friend to dance and no one asked me. But then this song came on and I didn’t care that no one had asked me to dance, I just sat along the wall and sang my heart out.

The Truth is Lyin’ Next to You by Randy Travis // This song, oh this song. It holds such a precious place in our love story. When we were dating he sang this song to me, while looking in my eyes through the entire song. As the tears rolled down my cheeks, that was the moment I fell in love with him and knew he’d be my forever.

I Want to Stroll Over Heaven with You by Alan Jackson // This song also holds such a special place in my heart. During a hard season in my marriage I listened to this on repeat. I would text my husband the lyrics daily. I want to stroll over Heaven with you some glad day. When all our troubles and heartaches are vanished away. Then we’ll enjoy the beauty where all things are new. I want to stroll over Heaven with you. I would sing along while tears rolled down my face. And being where we are now in our marriage makes this song even more special. I know someday we’ll be strolling through Heaven, hand in hand.

Shoop by Salt -N-Pepa // In this family we enjoy a good car dance party. And they happen quite often. There are a few must haves on our playlist, and this is one of them. Along with Ice Ice Baby and Hold On. As you can see, this Mama trained her littles to enjoy some old school music. Throw in a little Whitney and the list is complete.

Love Me Anyways by Pink and Chris Stapleton // I’ve never had such an instant emotional connection to a song. The first line alone made the tears flow. Throughout this medical journey, I’ve acquired quite a few scars. And I’m so blessed that my husband loves me anyway.