Long Blog.

This day holds a lot of significance for me. I will apologize now, but when I write about serious stuff, I really write with my heart on my sleeve, so bear with me. (I guess that’s appropo for a songwriter). This may seem a little bit like an elongated acceptance speech in an award show, lol, but I really wanted to take this opportunity to say thanks to a lot of people.
Anywayz, two years ago today, I moved to Nashville.
Some at home in Michigan might say that I really haven’t been all that successful in my initial pursuit~ I’m not singing in any bands, I’m not singing in any clubs, I really don’t have many contacts, and yeah I’m still workin on that demo. I’ll admit, I have days where I’m not happy about that, but to say that I regret moving here is absolutely absurd. I have personally grown so much since I’ve moved and I have soo many people to thank because of that.
First off, I need to thank God. My faith has taken huge leaps since I moved here. I have always been a believer, but Christianity is much more than just believing!! I’m more than a believer now, I’m a follower.
God surrounded me and continues to surround me, with some amazing Christians. I’m so lucky. Sometimes, He has to bring tragedy into someone’s life in order to bring you closer to Him. I, on the other hand, was ­soooo fortunate. He brought me triumph and blessed me with friends that reflect His amazing glory. I go to church. I own a Bible. I read the Bible. Once a month I have communion. I pray and I listen. All of these things I either seldom did, or have never done at all~not until I moved here.
A load has been lifted off my shoulders. It took a few humbling experiences, but I finally loosened a grip on pursuing a music career. I know now, that if I don’t win a Grammy, it’s gonna be okay..lol.
And now for my two biggest supporters: my parents.
This was the one reality I expected would hit me. I wanted to know what it was like to miss them. Not that I wasn’t close with them, it’s just I’ve never been apart from them. I think the longest I’d ever been away from home was like a week. I went major cold turkey. I never moved out for college, I commuted (Go community college!!). So moving to Nashville was quite the leap! I surprised myself at how well I adapted. I adapted to the change very well actually. For those who know me, however, know that I get extremely homesick from time to time. It’s amazing. Normally I wouldn’t call myself a crier, but all I have to do is think, or talk about my parents and I can easily tear up. I love them so much. They are the most unselfish people in the world. If I needed five dollars, mom would send fifty…lol. That’s the way they are. They support my crazy dream. They want it as badly as I do. In fact, I think they want it more than I do..lol. Not many parents would do that. Most would recommend the safe and smart route. I’m so lucky (you’re gonna here me say that a lot). They will make the 8hr trip in a heartbeat to come hear me sing. It’s not something they can easily afford. They sacrifice so much time and money for me. I can’t thank them enough. I would be nowhere without my parents.
It was sad to leave some of my friends behind, but like high school, we all kinda move on after we graduate. I do have one friend, however, who from day one of being here, persistently called just to say hi, keep me updated on all the gossip, and would check to see how I was doin. Jess you are an amazing, loyal friend. I love you!! You helped me get through some of those lonely days when I had no one to talk to. We’ve known each other for a short 3, maybe 4 years, and it feels like I’ve known you forever! We sure have been through a lot together haven’t we??~ the drama at school, a couple of Missouri trips, the time when you and I were grilling bratwurst at your house(HA! you are so lucky that you still have your hair…LOL), you trying to keep me calm in New York before the Apollo, and not mention the boy probs..eeck!! LOL I miss you girl!!
I know you’re goin through a lot right now and I just wanna say that you’ve got my support and you always will. Even when other friends turn their backs on you, you know I’ll be here, just as you’ve been there for me! I love you Jess!!
If it wasn’t for the amazing friends that I have here in Nashville, I probably would have moved back home. Like I said, I am so lucky to have you all in my life!
I’m positive it was God who put that newspaper in my hand that day when I saw the ad for the Tune Town Show Chorus auditions. I didn’t even know it was Sweet Adelines. I didn’t even know what Sweet Adelines was..lol. I just wanted to be singing again. I had no idea what I was getting into….
So most of you now know that I’m a die-hard Sweet Adeline. I’m in an awesome quartet called “Last Minute.” We even have a posse~the LMP (Dan, Jeff, and Frank- you guys rock!)
~*sigh* I could write a million pages about the quartet, but I’m gonna try to summarize everything the best I can…lol~
Jen + Deidra = Jendra. HA!! Jen what would I do without ya!! First of all, you’re the one responsible for Last Minute. Not only did you create a monster..lol, you created a family for me:) I’m sure I’m speaking on behalf of “Last Minute” when I say you’re just an all around amazing person. We certainly are spoiled! Secondly, you’ve been one of my biggest supporters down here. Thank you for accompanying me at the Illinois trips!! It means so much!! I look up to you in ­so­ many ways: your phenomenal character and your awesome musicianship. Thanks again for being such a wonderful friend/”sister”/coach/managaer..lol. I love you Jen!!
Hey Meagan!! Remember, um that time when, um, we sang in another quartet before “Last Minute.” hehe.. Aww, my little red-headed Meagy!! You were the first to invite me over for dinner (your grandma is an amazing cook by the way). You were the first to call me about forming “Last Minute.” I remember the voicemail you left..haha. It was so formal…lol. It’s just so weird to think that there was a time when I didn’t know you!! You are my sister in so many ways, and it’s not because of the hair..lol. I’ll never forget that time when you house sat my cat during thanksgiving. You picked me up from the airport, and when I came home, my fridge, notorious for being quite bare inside, was stocked with a bunch of goodies-and not to mention ice cream in the freezer. I must say that was the sweetest thing. I love you Meagan!!
Hey Sherida!! HEY! HEY! HEY! i love you… LOL!! Shereeder and Deeder, yes we are the two insane, loud, and crazy ones of the quartet..lol. It’s funny however, when it’s just you and I, we have some serious, in depth conversations..lol. I’m so glad I’ve gotten to know you better in the past couple of months. I seriously hope one day you and I will be successful in this music world together!! You certainly have a lot of talent and “Last Minute” is so lucky to have you!! We love you Sherida!! and love all the personality you’ve brought to the quartet:) oh and for the record…. I would just like to say that I think oatmeal raisin cookies are gross.
And then of course there’s my Becca:) Where do I begin??? What in the WORLD what I do without you??!!!
First of all, because of you I have a home with an endless reservation… and parents too!! Momma Deb and Papa Ron~ you ROCK!!
Hey Becca!! Remember um…that time when, um..we saw each other for like forty days straight. Yeah that was a good time..lol. We didn’t even get sick of each other. How cool is that!!? If there was a roommate test, we would have totally aced it! The awesome thing is those forty days weren’t intentional. We just have a blast together!! We have so many inside jokes and sayings in which we pretty much make our own lingo...lol I also feel like I can tell you, and come to you with anything and that means a lot. Becca, I could go on and on, so I’m just gonna say thanks for everything~ your support, your endless invitations, your generosity, and most of all your friendship. You’ve been an awesome and amazing friend and I continuously thank God for having you in my life!! I love you Becca!!

So how did I get so lucky?? When I moved here I was aware of my naïve nature and anticipated a reality of some sorts to hit me in the face. I told myself I was going to embrace failure in order to teach myself to grow up. I told myself I was going to dream big, stay motivated, but expect little. Little did I know what kind of reality that was going to hit me. Little did I know what I needed and what I already had. God is good...real good:)
*SIGH* OOOKAY, I think I’m done now. I hope it wasn’t too sappy and painful..lol!!