You've Got A Friend...

I have a new favorite radio station on satellite radio.  It's called "Love", channel 17.  It plays love songs from the last 40 years; songs I haven't heard much less thought of in at least 20 years!  This morning I was on my way to a service project, and an old favorite started to play.  Oh my goodness, a FLOOD of memories came back as I listened and sang along.  And of course...a flood of tears as well.

Me singing to me new husband "You've Got a Friend"

I grew up listening to James Taylor and Carole King.  My older sisters, 5 and 9 years older than me, were big fans.  And, since we didn't have ipods (or even walkmans), music was listened to outloud.  I think I knew the entire Carole King "Tapestry" album by heart at age 9.  By far, my favorite song was "You've Got a Friend."  I love Carole King's and James Taylor's version equally.  My junior year in high school I sang it in the spring concert as a solo.  It was a favorite among many of my girlfriends, almost an anthem to our friendship.  Fast forward a few years, it then became an anthem to my relationship with my new husband.  My mother urged/encouraged/pleaded with me to sing "You've Got a Friend" to my husband at my wedding reception...very impromptu I might add.  Really, I had forgotten about that.  But riding in the car this morning, all the memories came back, and I realized that the words in the song have a very different meaning today than they did 27 years ago when I got married.

When I was a young bride at age 22, I was pretty confident. Maybe even over-confident.  I sang this song to my husband telling him "YOU'VE got a friend, YOU just call out my name, I'LL come running".  I was thinking HE needed MY support, and I'd be there. Today, my Sweet Fringe Benefit is realizing that the words of the song were more about me.  I have learned how much I need him and his support.  I need HIS friendship.  He literally has rescued me from the sky that has gone dark and full of clouds.  Marriage is NOT easy.  But the older I get, the more joy I feel from it.  Age, experience, time together...49 years old is sweet.  

Photo credits to Angie Miller

When the sky high above you should go dark and full of clouds, and that old north wind should begin to blow.  Keep your head together, and call my name out loud. Soon I'll be knocking at your door. You just call out my name, and you know wherever I am, I'll come running to see you again
                                                       ...Carole King

You've probably heard the Carole King or James Taylor version.  I found this one on youtube today.  I just love it.  Hope you enjoy! (I couldn't get the video to drop in to my blog this time...sorry!  Just click on the link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=AaVcN5ecCCE

SFB's most days outweigh the nasties of my age. I'm so glad I can reflect on them everyday.  This picture on the right was taken last weekend.  Thank HEAVENS we are different people than we were 27 years ago when we got married.  At the sacrifice of hair, weight, skin and middles, we are a better couple than we were.  And I'll take that trade every day.

Outfit of the Day:  Mossimo black/gold wool cardigan, LOFT olive green blouse, The Limited 917 skinny jeans, Liz Clairborne Black riding boots, Banana Republic Statement necklace.  Yes, it's the same necklace I wore yesterday.  It was still on my vanity, and I thought it worked.  Sometimes that's how my outfits come together.  Whatever is the closest to my fingertips, that's what I wear.  I heard a stylist say once, "Don't overthink it."

I think that song made Miss Carole quite a bit of money over the years...good for her.  It should've...it's a good one.

Nanette