Memories and Music

If you have been reading me for a while, you know I am a lover of many things. One of the biggest influences in my life is music. I listen to it daily, and it moves me in ways nothing else can. Music has always been a big part of my life. My mom used to tell me that I started dancing before I could walk.

One of my favorite things is sharing music with others. My best friend and I often send songs to each other, and it makes me feel connected to her. I love it when people send me music!

I am not the biggest country music fan. I like some songs, but I am picky. However, growing up in the Appalachian mountains, country music is very much engrained in my roots, and for many Appalachians, it is a way of life. So, whether I like it or not, country music has found its way onto the soundtrack of my life.

I’ve been going through old playlists, trying to rediscover those songs that have impacted my life but have not found their way into my recent playlists, and I came across Toby Keith!

Image Credit: Orange County Register

I worked in an accounting office for a major retail chain I like to refer to as Hell-Mart. In all my years of working, I am not sure I have ever worked with a more eclectic group of people. We became like family and enjoyed each other’s company despite our differences. There was an understanding between all of us, and we all worked hard to make each other’s work lives operate as smoothly as possible. I knew my colleagues genuinely had my back, and I had theirs. I often miss that sense of comradery. It’s hard to find.

My boss, Sharon, had a mad crush on Toby Keith. I get it; I mean, he’s broad-shouldered, easy on the eyes, seems like a bit of a goofball, and loves our military. What’s not to love?

I digress. Due to her massive crush on the man, Toby Keith’s music often played in the office, and I have many memories attached to it. I came across the song “Who’s your Daddy?”

I don’t remember all the details, but I remember we had a crisis, and we had to work closely with the Accounts Payable manager, Andrew, to figure out how to solve the issue. After the matter had been resolved, Andrew kept finding reasons to come into the office, and I remember looking at my boss and asking if he did that often, and she responded, “Not before you were hired.”

I am ashamed to admit that I didn’t really make the connection of what she was getting at because I have always tried to see the best in people, and Andrew seemed so nice. When I worked early mornings, he would bring me coffee from my favorite cafe, but he also brought coffee to Sharon, and when I would point this out, she would respond, “Yeah, because it would be too obvious if he only brought you coffee.”

I laugh about it now because, looking back, it was apparent. He used to leave me random notes to find. He would hide them in money bags, the safe, behind the computer, etc… and he would send me flowers on my birthday.

Anyway, I really got to know him because any time there was an issue, he was the guy to call to help solve the problem, and when he needed assistance, he always requested yours truly. I thought it was due to my strong work ethic and research skills, which I’m sure played a part, but Sharon would always shake her head at me and make sarcastic remarks that it had absolutely nothing to do with his infatuation.

One day, he walked into the office dressed to the nines and started serenading me with the lyrics to “Who’s Your Daddy?” It made me laugh, and somehow, it became a running joke. I never actually called him “Daddy,” but anytime he called, came to visit, or just passed by, the entire office would scream, “Kristian, it’s your daddy!” My face would always turn the shade of a fire hydrant, and once Andrew learned he could make me blush, he always made an effort to turn my cheeks red.

I was instantly brought back to that memory, which made me laugh at my naivete and the fun I had. I wonder what Andrew is up to these days. I hadn’t thought about him in a long time, but I hope he’s happy wherever he is and whatever he’s doing.

After I left Hell-Mart, I stayed in touch with a few people, including Sharon. A few years ago, she complained that she was going through a difficult time and wasn’t sure what to do about it. I told her to take her man’s advice and “Call a Marine.” We laughed about it, and now any time one of us is struggling, that’s our advice to the other because “they are built to improvise, adapt, and overcome.”

It’s funny how things in life turn out sometimes and how a simple song can bring back so many memories!

Thanks for taking the trip down memory lane with me. I will leave you with a few of my favorite Toby Keith songs.

What artists’ have made it on your life’s soundtrack?

Love & life lessons,

Kristian