Please pardon my absence. I've been extremely stressed out with the 'end of the year' activities, not to mention finals, auditions, work, and Kevin. That doesn't matter right now. I have a little ditty I want to write about...

Since I was little, my life has revolved around music. There was always something good playing in the car, and the CD collection in my house (at the time) wasn't all that bad. Those days were wonderful, and I won't forget them.

The first time I ever heard The Beatles was in my old red van on the way to some unknown location. The first Anthology CDs had just come out, and my mother bought them. I adored their electronic noise, and even from that first time, their voices were unmatched. After introducing my sister to them, I would play my seatbelt guitar and she would slap the beat on her carseat drums. We were little, and didn't understand how well known The Beatles actually were. We just knew that they made the car a great place to be.

A year or two later, my father got Brian Wilson's Imagination album. At the time, I loved driving with my dad places. His music had words, unlike my mom's smooth jazz. Oldies music always played in his car, and I knew words to many of the songs. I remember loving South American and Imagination. The music was so lively, so happy. I remember calling it the 'cool CD' because I didn't know who sang any of the songs, just that they were good.

In fourth grade, I had the most wonderful teacher in the world-- Mr. Croon. Every Friday he would play his guitar for our class, entreating us to songs like 'Dead Skunk' and 'Grandma's Feather Bed' amongst others. One Friday afternoon, he plays this song called 'Feelin' Groovy'. He tells us about these two guys named Simon and Garfunkel. I'll be honest, I really wasn't paying attention to him then. I just wanted him to play. When he finally did, I fell in love with the song. It was so simple, and yet it made so much sense to me. The song is about being totally carefree and happy, and when I was singing along with Mr. Croon...I was good ol' happy-go-lucky Kimmi.

Freddie, Josh, and I went back to see Mr. Croon one of the last Fridays he taught. We sat down indian-style amongst his last group of 4th graders, and listened to him sing 'Feelin' Groovy' for one of the last times. Again I heard the strumming of the guitar, and again I was that little 4th grade girl. I sang along; I wasn't embarrassed. I think I even let a tear fall down my cheek. Just one. That last time in his room, that last time I got to hear his gruff yet melodic voice, that last time I got to hear him strum his guitar with ease...that last time I will never forget.
What does that have to do with now? Well...I met and fell in love with Kevin. I think I found another one of the many reasons why I did. He re-introduced me to The Beatles, Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys, and Simon & Garfunkel. It makes me smile knowing that I'm not the only one with a passion for music, especially this music. It's funny, I went searching for one love, and I returned with two: one love that I thought I could never have, and another that I have always had...yet never noticed.

With him...I can hear music...

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