Thinking Ahead While Looking Back
Hi loves!
A friend asked me a question today when I was going on and on about one of Harry Styles' new songs and it made me think so hard that I felt the need to write about it. She said, "15 years from now the craze will be long gone. You will be on a road trip with your kids and an old One Direction song will come on the radio. What would you do?" I imagined that scene in my mind...
I'm 36 years old on a trip to the family cottage up in Pennsylvania. It's me, my husband and our three kids. They are playing Simon Says in the back seat while also calling out each new state they see on a license plate, trying to get all 50 by the end of the trip. The radio is barely audible as my husband and I discuss the upcoming week when I hear it. I turn the volume up just a tad and sure enough, I hear "What Makes You Beautiful" by One Direction. I silence the kids and turn it up even louder without saying a word. A flood of memories rushes through my mind until one of the kids breaks my trance and ask who is singing. I look back at them and say, "my boys" with no hesitation. They give me a confused look as I start to talk about the five British boys that shaped my young adult life.
I smile as I recall the X-Factor in 2010 and all the video diaries. When they ended up 3rd place and Simon Cowell told the world that, "it's just the beginning for these boys." When "What Makes You Beautiful" came out and beat records around the world for the fastest debut solo. When they came to America and I saw them in concert for the first time. When they went from being the new kids that no one new to the name on everyone's mind. When four years went by and they put out four albums and had gone from small gigs to sold-out stadium tours. A tear falls down my cheek as I remember when Zayn left the band in 2015 and the band went on indefinite hiatus a year later. I think back to all the love they had for the fans and how if I ever felt sad or stressed out I could pull up YouTube and watch one of their interviews, knowing it would make me smile. I remember how proud I was of all the boys when they put out solo music. When Niall was the first one to go solo with the release of "This Town." When Louis lost his mom and still managed to sing his debut song, "Just Hold On" on the X-Factor for her. When Harry starred in a movie and released his debut album. When Liam released his first song "Strip That Down." Memories from their concerts to winning award's to their bromances to meeting other Directioners who I made forever friends with.
After my rant, they proceed to look at me with confused expressions, getting lost in the details I placed before them. I then say:
"The Irish one, the funny one, the mysterious one, the curly haired one and the daddy of the group. Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Harry Styles and Liam Payne. Even though Zayn left and they eventually all went solo, these five boys grew with me and shaped me into who I am today. One Direction was not just a boyband, they were just five guys making their dreams come true and I was lucky enough to be part of the ride."
Now I left out so much about these boys and my memories with them, knowing I could probably write a book. But even if you do not like them at all or think I'm crazy for being so obsessed with them, I want you to think about that one band or artist who has that sort of impact on your life.
Music is not just music and an artist is not just an artist. They tell a story and take you into their lives as much as they can. Everyone has that one artist that shapes them. The one artist that you know everything about from their birthday to their favorite color to their family tree. The song that comes on and gives you chills or brings a smile or a tear to you face. Embrace that feeling and don't let it go.
Kisses,
Saraliz
A friend asked me a question today when I was going on and on about one of Harry Styles' new songs and it made me think so hard that I felt the need to write about it. She said, "15 years from now the craze will be long gone. You will be on a road trip with your kids and an old One Direction song will come on the radio. What would you do?" I imagined that scene in my mind...
I'm 36 years old on a trip to the family cottage up in Pennsylvania. It's me, my husband and our three kids. They are playing Simon Says in the back seat while also calling out each new state they see on a license plate, trying to get all 50 by the end of the trip. The radio is barely audible as my husband and I discuss the upcoming week when I hear it. I turn the volume up just a tad and sure enough, I hear "What Makes You Beautiful" by One Direction. I silence the kids and turn it up even louder without saying a word. A flood of memories rushes through my mind until one of the kids breaks my trance and ask who is singing. I look back at them and say, "my boys" with no hesitation. They give me a confused look as I start to talk about the five British boys that shaped my young adult life.
I smile as I recall the X-Factor in 2010 and all the video diaries. When they ended up 3rd place and Simon Cowell told the world that, "it's just the beginning for these boys." When "What Makes You Beautiful" came out and beat records around the world for the fastest debut solo. When they came to America and I saw them in concert for the first time. When they went from being the new kids that no one new to the name on everyone's mind. When four years went by and they put out four albums and had gone from small gigs to sold-out stadium tours. A tear falls down my cheek as I remember when Zayn left the band in 2015 and the band went on indefinite hiatus a year later. I think back to all the love they had for the fans and how if I ever felt sad or stressed out I could pull up YouTube and watch one of their interviews, knowing it would make me smile. I remember how proud I was of all the boys when they put out solo music. When Niall was the first one to go solo with the release of "This Town." When Louis lost his mom and still managed to sing his debut song, "Just Hold On" on the X-Factor for her. When Harry starred in a movie and released his debut album. When Liam released his first song "Strip That Down." Memories from their concerts to winning award's to their bromances to meeting other Directioners who I made forever friends with.
After my rant, they proceed to look at me with confused expressions, getting lost in the details I placed before them. I then say:
"The Irish one, the funny one, the mysterious one, the curly haired one and the daddy of the group. Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Harry Styles and Liam Payne. Even though Zayn left and they eventually all went solo, these five boys grew with me and shaped me into who I am today. One Direction was not just a boyband, they were just five guys making their dreams come true and I was lucky enough to be part of the ride."
Now I left out so much about these boys and my memories with them, knowing I could probably write a book. But even if you do not like them at all or think I'm crazy for being so obsessed with them, I want you to think about that one band or artist who has that sort of impact on your life.
Music is not just music and an artist is not just an artist. They tell a story and take you into their lives as much as they can. Everyone has that one artist that shapes them. The one artist that you know everything about from their birthday to their favorite color to their family tree. The song that comes on and gives you chills or brings a smile or a tear to you face. Embrace that feeling and don't let it go.
Kisses,
Saraliz
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