4 years ago.
Four years ago I was wandering along the internets, most likely looking up romantic inspiration (wedding venues, dresses, floral, you know the stuff us single girls do….) and I somehow stumbled upon a Youtube clip that abruptly arrested my eyes and stopped my heart in its tracks.
I watched that clip at least 10x and then researched every single clip I could find that night related to it. I made a quick and concrete point to add that to my prayer list.
Because whatever it was they carried and sang about in those YouTube clips, resonated in my heart as true ….as authentic… as romantic…as covenant… as dreams.
I remember telling one of my long time friends, “I want That.”
That’s what we all were made for.
Such freedom, delight, and a deeper sense of giving, purpose and belonging.
I shared my admiration (read here: “obsession”) with a few close friends regarding this singing duo I had stumbled upon named, Johnnyswim.
My friends knew, by the twinkle I had in my eye when I talked about this duo, that I meant business.
And although I was enamored with who they were musically (truly such strong and extraordinary voices), I was that much more enthralled by how their love for one another translated in their performances--leaving me, the viewer feeling so blessed to have witnessed and shared in their love story-- if only for a few songs.
The strength and the goal of love is to love. And these two humans seem to embody this in a way that I have rarely ever seen.
There seemed to be something sacred about listening to these two sing together. So much so, that I didn’t want to rush into seeing them perform live. I knew in my heart it had to be the right time.
So as they came in and out of Los Angeles, doing amazing live shows--shows that some of my friends went to, I instead held back.
It just wasn’t the right time yet.
photo: garden and gun magazine outtake
A year or so later, after I had discovered Johnnyswim, I was at a live music event a friend took to me to at the Hollywood Bowl. It was meant to be a sweet and unassuming night…
We had great seats.
But midway through the night, as the music was playing at the Bowl, suddenly I hear a voice singing behind me.
It was a voice that was strong and felt strangely familiar.
I looked confused.
I slowly started to turn my head around, trying to not draw attention to myself.
And then I saw him. Standing directly behind me. As a happy spectator and participant. Singing loudly to the music...
I literally almost peed myself.
It was Abner of Johnnyswim.
!!!!
Um. What the what?
How does this even happen?
Like—out of the thousands of people at this event and he is standing AND singing along to the songs from the stage directly behind me?!
It would have been enough to just hear Abner….
But yes, you guessed it.
Amanda was there as well.
I am screaming inside.
SCREAMING.
I never turn around after that. I just enjoyed the sounds of their voices --alive, bold and singing in complete freedom, as if it were a private concert just for me, for the rest of the night.
What a special night that was for me.
It just reminded me that magic is still in the air.
And good things still happen.
…When you least expect them.
That night was 3 years ago.
Johnnyswim would then go on to tour in Los Angeles and other cities that I frequent, but I never felt like it was quite time for me to hear them play the songs I had fallen in love with over the years.
I felt peace in the waiting. There was still a timing component to all of this, and I somehow sensed this timing would prove to be important and significant (and perhaps magical).
So, I happened to book a plane ticket to Texas back in early July of this year for an arbitrary date that happened to be in October…to mostly hang, and of course to re-visit Magnolia Market (My love affair with the HGTV’s television show Fixer Upper will deservedly be a separate blog all its own one day) among other places and people.
But yes, I booked a random date to go to Texas, of which I find out a few weeks after I purchased my ticket that Magnolia Market would be having a “Silobration” – a celebration marking the new buildings, artistry, and food of Joanna & Chip Gaines’ Magnolia Market, on the exact dates that I’d be in town…That alone would have been enough for me.
(I was actually bummed last year to not make it to the original “Silobration” –and at the time, it seemed to be a one-time only event.)
I had missed my chance.
Or so I had thought.
But no I hadn’t, because they decided to bring the “Silobration” back…bigger and better than the original. Yesss Lawd.)
And as if that weren’t enough, a couple weeks after announcing this unique “Silobration” situation, another announcement was made…. A live concert had been added to this whole beautiful extravaganza.
A live concert featuring none other than…
#DEAD
Um. What.
I mean. I can’t make this stuff up people.
So clearly and undoubtedly I have a date with destiny.
And now I feel ready.
Now the timing feels right.
I have no idea what to fully expect, but regardless, I plan on being as completely present as I possibly can.
And through it all, I hope to learn more about the ways of love.
Because I think that’s what this journey has been about all along.
So yes, on October 7th, 2016 for the first time in 4 years, I’ll be hearing Johnnyswim perform live.
Epilogue:
To my beautiful friends reading this-- who are actually friends of Johnnyswim, DO NOT embarrass me by trying to introduce me to them. I beg of you.
I have zero words to say to Abner and Amanda. I’ll simply just drool on myself and make inappropriate facial expressions (#theusual).
Instead, I just want another corner of the world to be introduced to the feeling, inspiration and, hope that I felt, that very first time (and continue to feel) in the midst of their artistry and their love shared as husband and wife.
And I hope their voices, their music, and their lives, spark something in you, something deep…Perhaps even something buried….
{ Link: "Diamonds" - https://youtu.be/F7o9yG1mWcE }
{ Link: "Home" - https://youtu.be/APoRFLtD8z4 }
{ Link: "Hallelujah" - https://youtu.be/bxt4fmyIQKU }
{ Link: "In My Arms" - https://youtu.be/Uv3E8nkQ_zo }
{ Link: "Summer Time Romance" - https://youtu.be/06CcrnFctlo }
Wisdom’s Knocking:
“You are where you are when you’re there.”
– Chris Stapleton
Johnnyswim on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/johnnyswim/id1135465336
Johnnyswim Website: www.johnnyswim.com