I met my future wife by way of introduction through a business partner and friend. His wife was a colleague of hers and they both thought we might be a good fit. Turns out they were right.
That said, it took a little effort to win her over. I approached her at a large birthday party of some mutual friends and introduced myself. She was unimpressed. She contacted me on social media a few days later at the urging of another colleague, and we made a plan to go out for dinner together. We had a pleasant if not fantastic first date, but neither of us felt sparks. There was, however, enough mutual interest to pursue further explorations. I called her a few days later after an awkwardly long interval (should I call her? Is it too soon? Have I waited too long?) and we arranged for a second date the following weekend. This time things took a considerably more dynamic turn and our mutual chemistry became impossible to ignore.
Wanting to cement the relationship and inspired by the excited energy of new love, I set out to fully win her heart by composing a song for her. The composition came together after a few days, but I struggled a bit with the lyrics. After coming up with a clear theme, I was able to put it all together over a few days and perform the song for her on piano. Needless to say, it was effective and we’ve been together ever since.
I would play the song for her periodically over the past 13 years but had not really arranged or recorded the song until now. This is meant to be a simple and intimate production. While I did some light quantizing on some of the keyboard parts, I played all the guitar and bass parts in nearly a single take. The vocals we’re originally intended to be scratch demo takes but the performances had an emotional honesty that led me to keep them just as I recorded them.
So, on this Valentines Day of 2022, I offer to my beautiful and amazing wife a formal artifact of my love for her that I hope moves her as much as it did from the first time I played it for her all those years ago. My wishes have been granted and I’m forever grateful to her for honoring my wishes that this song represents.
Alone in my dreams
To break but not bend
Like walking through time
Without any end
Continue along
I’m waiting to fall
Without any help
Will I hear the call?
Come with me, follow near
I’m strong and willing to show my fears
I’ve been hurt, long before
Now you are here and I’ll try some more with you
(more with you)
Then you came along
Without any sound
Refreshingly free
Not looking, I found
My heart flutters to
My mind flitters fro
I cannot believe
Oh how can I know?
Stay with me, don’t you go
I’ll be right here and I’ll always show
What it means to believe
That we can be what we want to be
Take my hand take some time
Look and you’ll see what’s inside my mind
I’ve been hurt, but not enough
That I won’t continue to try to love
When you walked into my life
I had to stop and smile
And step away to see
What it is to be in love
Once again, I could
Make some space to be (with you, my love)
With you in my heart
It’s starting to feel
Like roots that grow deep
Like something that’s real
We must take this chance
Though so much to lose
We’re moving through life
Together, so true
Stay with me, don’t you go
I’ll be right here and I’ll always show
What it means to believe
That we can be what we want to be
Take my hand, take some time
Look and you’ll see what’s inside of my mind
I’ve been hurt, but not enough
That I won’t keep giving you my love
(keep giving you my love)
