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.