WARNING: PERSONAL TRUTH BOMB BELOW.

There are moments in life that define us. They define our life, they define why we are the way we are, and they define what we are going to be. These are the moments in which we see a clear change before and after they occurred. They draw a proverbial line in the sand of our life. Falling in love is the highest expression of a moment.

For me, God is the subject of my greatest love story. He loved me enough to scoop me up from my disgusting unregenerate post in life and wrap His cleansing arms around me. Likewise, I love Him enough to share my story with everyone around me, just as He asked me to in His Word. Lest I begin preaching, this love story is not the reason for this post, but I wanted to mention it. Because I can. Because it’s my blog! BWAHAHaHA! *ahem*

I love my wife. Surprised? We were. My love story with Andrea had an incredible yet rocky beginning. I am a guitar player, yet not much of a lyricist or singer, and I have always wanted to write a song that described the emotions behind our beginnings as “Andrea and Ryan.” The story is powerful and meaningful to us. Music is the most powerful expression in my estimation, as it is the only art medium that has invoked laughing, crying, joy, sadness, anger, and love in me.

This is why when I heard a song called “Lonely September” by the Plain White T’s for the first time, I cried. It’s as if the songwriter observed the first 6 months of acquaintance between Andrea and I and put words to feelings. Rather than drag out this post, I would rather you listen to the song for yourself, as it speaks volumes to our experience. Until now, I have never heard a song in which I identified with every single line. I sat for many hours in Jones Hall at Indiana State University thinking the same thoughts that this song portrays.

We didn’t think it would happen. We didn’t anticipate it would happen. We didn’t mean for it to happen. Love is a funny thing and now that it’s happened, I cannot imagine life without her.

As you listen, I will paste the lyrics in this post so that you can read along if you wish.

NOTE: I searched YouTube to find a video to embed that had the song in it. Most of them were lame. However, I found a video of Jim and Pam from The Office. I decided to go with it because the JAM (Jim and Pam combined) story is the best love story on television and The Office is my favorite show.

The Lyrics:

I’m sittin’ here all by myself
just tryin’ to think of something to do
Tryin’ to think of something, anything
just to keep me from thinking of you
But you know it’s not working out
’cause you’re all that’s on my mind
One thought of you is all it takes
to leave the rest of the world behind

[Chorus]
Well I didn’t mean for this to go as far as it did
And I didn’t mean to get so close and share what we did
And I didn’t mean to fall in love, but I did
And you didn’t mean to love me back, but I know you did

I’m sittin’ here tryin’ to convince myself
that you’re not the one for me
But the more I think, the less I believe it
and the more I want you here with me
You know the holidays are coming up
I don’t want to spend them alone
Memories of Christmas time with you
will just kill me if I’m on my own

[Chorus]
Well I didn’t mean for this to go as far as it did
And I didn’t mean to get so close and share what we did
And I didn’t mean to fall in love, but I did
And you didn’t mean to love me back

I know it’s not the smartest thing to do
we just can’t seem to get it right
But what I wouldn’t give to have one more chance tonight
One more chance tonight

I’m sittin’ here tryin’ to entertain myself with this old guitar
But with all my inspiration gone it’s not getting me very far
I look around my room and everything I see reminds me of you
Oh please, baby won’t you take my hand
we’ve got nothing left to prove

[Chorus]
Well I didn’t mean for this to go as far as it did
And I didn’t mean to get so close and share what we did
And I didn’t mean to fall in love, but I did
And you didn’t mean to love me back, but I know you did

And I didn’t mean to meet you then
we were just kids
And I didn’t mean to give you chills
the way that I kiss
And I didn’t mean to fall in love, but I did
And you didn’t mean to love me back but I know you did
Don’t say you didn’t love me back ’cause you know you did
No, you didn’t mean to love me back
But you did