For those who know me, you know that music is a huge part of my life. I go to tons of concerts, own too many CD's, and I listen to and appreciate pretty much every genre under the sun. Music takes us to a place that we can't get to on our own. Music makes us feel feelings that we didn't even know we had. We can get lost in a melody and live through the lyrics. Some songs are even life changing. For example, my inspiration to go back to school came specifically from listening to a Thomas Rhett song.

When I was a kid I remember riding in my Dad's black Ford pick up truck with Lynyrd Skynyrd and Kiss always playing from the radio. Even at 23 years old, every time I hear Guns N' Roses "Knocking on Heavens Door" it takes me back to my Dad singing it in the truck. I remember when my Mom started getting into Country music and the house was filled with Shania Twain, Toby Keith, and Kenny Chesney. The windows in the living room would be open on a nice day and the breeze would blow the curtains around. We would sing "Up", "Whiskey Girl", and "She Thinks my Tractor's Sexy" while she was cleaning or cooking. My parents always had music playing in the house and they still do to this day. I give them the credit for the wide variety of music that I listen to.

Any song by Hilary Duff reminds me of 5th grade music class. We got a new chorus teacher and we all had to "audition" to be in the chorus. Every single girl in my class auditioned with a Hilary Duff song. I sang "I Can't Wait" from Lizzie McGuire. Every time the songs would play on Disney Channel we would scramble to try to write out the lyrics. We made up the lyrics we didn't know because we were too young to use google. I still sing the words wrong to this day! Also, speaking of the 5th grade, Gwen Stefani's "Hollaback Girl" came out the summer before I started the 5th grade and we all spent hours trying to choreograph dances to it.

"Remember the Name" by Fort Minor (AKA my man Mike Shinoda) takes me back to high school and our pregame warm up tape before soccer games and the rush I felt having that song play as we ran onto the field. Playing "Build Me Up Buttercup" by The Foundations was a tradition for our soccer team and I always remember screaming the lyrics in the locker room hallways.

Some of the popular dance songs when I was in high school were songs like "Pop, Lock, & Drop It", "Lip Gloss", and pretty much anything by Chris Brown. Hearing those songs takes me back to our weekends spent at Firehall dances and the roller skating rink and especially all of the homecoming dances. Even some old Kanye West songs remind me of days spent in my room trying to learn every word to "Gold Digger". I'm proud to say that I still go insane when I hear that song and I still add it to every playlist.

The day I got my license and drove alone for the first time I played my Miley Cyrus and Jonas Brothers CD's in my cute little car on my way to soccer practice. I remember being so nervous and so excited and I wanted to play music that would keep my calm and happy. "Crawling" by Linkin Park was my ringtone for my first cell phone, along with "Let it Rock" by Kevin Rudolf and Lil Wayne. I remember thinking I was the coolest kid alive.

I could go on and on about all of the songs and memories I have because of them. But the fact that I can give vivid details about times in my life specifically because I remember the song that was playing? Thats the power of music. I wasn't alive when Elvis was, but on rainy days all I want to listen to is Elvis and it gives me the craziest nostalgic feelings. I can still sing the Beatles "1" album front to back in order because my Dad played it constantly when I was a kid. I'm also super convinced we were all born knowing all of the words to "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey.

Even new songs that come out somehow take you back to a time or a feeling that you couldn't recall on your own. And when we're going through hard times we turn to music for comfort and to give us the words we can't seem to find. It surrounds us, helps us grieve, allows us to celebrate, and to create memories. Music brings joy, and sadness, and gives us hope. It's a powerful thing. It's something that I don't think we could live without.