Family - the music of our lives.

We all define family in different ways.  For some of us, family consists of people we see during the holidays, for others, it consists of various close knit individuals that make up the sum of it's parts.  For me, family is my husband and our dog, Arthur.  Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't be who I am today without the love and support of my mom, godparents, and father.  However, at 36, I define family by whom I want to come home to every night.  And for the last 6 years, that person has always been Doug. 

When I got home from work today, I was driven to create a playlist for us.  Doug and I are getting out of town for a weekend of alone time, and we have a two hour drive ahead of us.  So, I felt making a playlist was a good idea.
I often do this for friends and for various situations where extensive travel is necessary.  However, I decided to make one for just he and I.  Here it is. 

Some old, some new.  Very random, very inspired, and very diverse.  A lot like how I'm feeling right now : )


Stand by Me   Ben E. King  
Be Mine       David Gray 
L.A. Woman    The Doors   
Walking On a Dream   Empire of the Sun   
The Summer Wind    Frank Sinatra 
Flathead    The Fratellis   
Shimmer     Fuel  
We Are Young    Fun.   
Bubble Toes     Jack Johnson   
Cherry Bomb       John Mellencamp   
Need You Now     Lady Antebellum   
Alive      Pearl Jam  
You Are the Sunshine of My Life     Stevie Wonder  
Superstition    Stevie Wonder            
That's Not My Name   The Ting Tings   
Why Can't This Be Love    Van Halen      
Real Love Remix (Featuring the Notorious B.I.G.)   Mary J. Blige    Collection    R&B/Soul                    

Expectations vs. Reality

Women are displayed messages of what we should look like, act like, and dress like at a very early age. Many of us struggle with this, and starve ourselves, change our image, and work to look and act a certain way. However, as we grow and find out who we really are, we may not want to fit a certain mold. Luckily, we all define beauty differently.

When we are younger, we enjoy dating or being in “young love”. The dream is sold to us daily through characters in books, movies, and sitcoms. We are told what types of men make up someone that’s successful: good looking, charming, well off, and well spoken. Never once is sense of humor, outlook on life, or interests mentioned. As you get older you say to yourself “I don’t want to settle, I want the dream”. I have seen many women blow off nice guys, who may be a little rusty, goofy, geeky or not their type. I ask this: is your "type" working for you, if you are still single?

 So here’s the question: if we, as women, know that the expectations set for us are unrealistic, why do we hold men to the standard sold to us, and never once question how realistic it is? Women don’t want to settle, and they shouldn’t. Never should you stay with someone that’s abusive, unkind, or dealing with some type of demon they can’t work through. However, for those women who think that Mr. Big is waiting for them somewhere, you are sadly mistaken. Ask any married woman if they married the previously mentioned Prince Charming, and they will tell you no. But, in a good relationship, you DO marry your own version of Prince Charming. The point is: be realistic, and don’t expect someone that doesn’t exist. Stop justifying your life through relationships. The most important relationship you have is with you, and only you.