For Kristen...

Today is Kristen's birthday and I thought I might do something a little different for her this year.

When Kristen and I were first married, I played every song for her. Everything I had written, partially written or even just "covered" was played for her first. She knew every song...why I wrote it, when I finished it, what I was trying to say, the whole thing.

Now, not so much. Being married over 10 years has a way of shaping life into something that's sweet and filled with purpose and support. However, we rarely have time these days to sit down and talk about songwriting. It's often weeks after I've written something and Kristen will say, "Wait a second. You wrote that?"

I enjoy playing songs for her as they come to life, but I would change what we have for anything. Because it allows me to do something like this:

It's me and my guitar and GarageBand. It's not perfect, but it's true...and I'm happy to share it.

LISTEN HERE

When I saw you for the first time
Had no idea in mind
What would happen, what love would bring
What wonders I would come to see

When I heard you say, "Yes,"
Had no idea how blessed
You would make me, what you would do
How you would help me build my dreams and then make them all come true

So here's another song...saying something simple and true
But my voice will never be strong enough to say all that I want to
I'm loving the learning every day, discovering you

When I see you, here and now
I can't believe just how
The Father's blessed me, how great His love;
You're the best thing I've ever had the best is still yet to come

So let's laugh some more
'Cause there's so much in store
Joy and pain, some new and some same
But we'll face it together each day

Loving the learning every day
Loving everything you do and say
Thankful to the Lord you came my way
And I'm discovering you...
________________________
Happy Birthday, Kristen. You still amaze and mystify me as only you can. Hope you know how loved you are today.

Happy Birthday or Whatever

Three or four times a week, I have moments where I think...I OUGHT TO BLOG ABOUT THAT! Then, of course, I forget it minutes later. (Oh, the arrogance of bloggers.)

But today at lunch with Krist and the kids, I remembered one! Yes, I remembered one of those amazing thoughts that slipped through my brain not too long ago.

What Is The Deal With the Birthday Song In Restaurants?

I mean, come on...do these waiters and waitresses think we're going to feel that special while they stare at us with those dead eyes and sing to us in that depressive monotone? We get a free dessert and we get to piss off the waitstaff. Happy Birthday to Me! What if your family sang like that at birthday parties?

Managers...please kill the birthday song. Your staff doesn't want to do it and I don't want watch seven people do their best to sing/not-sing to me.

Anybody with me?