Dont' cry out loud...well, actually, look through the eyes of love...

Last week, a simple song request turned into so much more.  My student Kelly brought in sheet music for “Through the Eyes of Love.”  You remember it?  It’s the one from the movie Ice Castles and was made famous by Melissa Manchester. 

Kelly asked me to play the song and, when I did, I was transported back in time…

The day was August 6, 1988…my brother Richard’s wedding day.   I was excited on so many levels.  Rich and my (now) sister-in-law Nancy asked me to stand up to their wedding, which was my first time as a bridesmaid.  Imagine how thrilled I was when they also asked me to play “Through the Eyes of Love” at the ceremony.

The entire summer leading up to that day, I practiced and practiced.  I was nervous and wanted to do a good job.  I also was honored to have been chosen to do this.  I remember standing at the front of the church with the bridal party.  When it was time for me to play the song, I walked to the piano and played it.  Not one mistake.  When I finished I caught the faces of a few people in the congregation, and they were beaming.  And I realized I was beaming too.  Snippets of the rest of the day are forever in my heart and mind: my date Brad asking to me to dance to every single song the DJ played (I had told him the only way I’d take him is if he danced with me); my mother telling me that she got emotional when my brother Richard made a sign of the cross before the ceremony started; Rich and Nancy dancing to “Crazy for You” (Madonna) at the reception; and much more.

And now here I am, 23 years later.  The memories are vivid, intact, and comforting.

Ahhh…the power of music.