Vox Hunt: It's Like This...

Audio: Share a song that reminds you of a current or past relationship.

Matt and I have so many songs that are little touchstones for us that it's hard to just pick one, so I'm not. :D

Eleven years ago, I didn't even know Matt existed. I posted several penpal ads on some websites, and at the end of February 1996, Matt responded to one of those with an email.

Virtuality - Rush
Net boy, net girl send your heartbeat 'round the world

We emailed and chatted constantly, and within just a few weeks, I was smitten. One Tuesday afternoon in April, we chatted and typed those three little words to each other.

Tuesday Afternoon - The Moody Blues
I'm looking at myself, reflections of my mind.
It's just the kind of day to leave myself behind.
So gently swaying through the fairyland of love.
If you'll just come with me you'll see the beauty of
Tuesday afternoon, Tuesday afternoon.

I finally heard his voice a week later. We sent each other photos of ourselves and our families and lots of letters. He sent me a mix tape that I played constantly. I imagined him singing each song to me and looked forward to the day I could see him and hear his voice at the same time.

You Better You Bet - The Who
When I say I love you, you say you better
You better you better you bet
When I say I need you you say you better

Let My Love Open The Door - Pete Townshend
Come on and give me a chance to say
Let my love open the door
It's all I'm living for
Release yourself from misery

In May, I lost internet access when I went home for the summer, but we consoled ourselves with the thought that we would soon be together in person for the first time. Matt had gotten a ticket to fly from Alaska to Tennessee, and we would have 10 days together. I met him at the airport, and being with him was beyond anything I could have imagined.

I Knew I Loved You - Savage Garden
I knew I loved you before I met you.
I think I dreamed you into life.

I think I found my way home.
I know that it might sound more than
a little crazy, but I believe.

I drove him to one of my favorite spots in the Smokies, and we sat outside all night long, just talking and holding each other.

Moondance - Van Morrison
All the night's magic seems to whisper and hush
And all the soft moonlight seems to shine in your blush

The rest of our days together went by in a blur. We spent a lot of time in my car, singing to each other, as I showed him some of my favorite spots in eastern Tennessee. Any doubts that we might have had about us vanished during that first night. By the time he left for Alaska, we were engaged and planning to get married later in the summer, but I still didn't want him to leave. Saying goodbye at the airport was tough on both of us.

Don't Cry - Asia
Don't cry now that I've found you.
Don't cry. Take a look around you.
Don't cry. It took so long to find you.
Do whatever you want, but little darling please don't cry.

My parents were shocked at how quickly things had progressed with Matt and me. Thankfully, they really liked Matt. Sometimes, I think it didn't really sink in for them until Matt and I got married in August. A week after the wedding, I moved to Alaska.

Suds in the Bucket - Sara Evans
Now don't you wonder what the preacher's gonna preach about Sunday mornin'.
Nothing quite like this has happened here before.
Well he must have been a looker, a smooth talkin' son of gun,
For such a grounded girl to just up and run.

And life goes on, and now we've been married 10 years and living in North Carolina. Life certainly hasn't been perfect, but the roller coaster is a lot more fun with him along for the ride. :D

In Your Eyes - Peter Gabriel
Love I get so lost sometimes.
Days pass and this emptiness fills my heart.
When I want to run away,
I drive off in my car
but whichever way I go,
I come back to the place you are.

One Hundred Names - The Nields
I have known you all my life.
In fact, I knew you long before.
A hundred years or so of you,
and all I want from you is more.