Kyle helped me compile the “soundtrack of my life” for my friend’s party this evening. I’ve got to admit, it was difficult. I didn’t realize how many songs I have attached to moments in my life. The hardest part was choosing a single song off an entire album that meant so much to me. I know that Kyle was getting annoyed at my indecisiveness, but he should be used to it because I can never make up my mind. Here is the end result with a little snippet about each…

“Don’t You Want Me” – The Human League, This is the first popular song that I ever learned the words to. I think I was 3 at the time.

“Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony ” – I was at my paternal grandmother’s house nearly every day as a child. She had classical music playing constantly. Beethoven was my favorite. It also reminds me of all my year’s of ballet and my dreaded piano lessons (that I kick myself now for quitting).

“The New Style” – Beastie Boys, This was my very first tape. I still know every word to every song…hard to pick just one.

“Every Ghetto Every City” – Lauryn Hill, This song reminds me of my childhood, where I came from, where I’ve been.

“Fire” – The Pointer Sisters, This is the summer before high school. There were four of us. We were best friends and this was our theme song.

“Alive” – Pearl Jam, I could literally put three entire albums on here (Ten, Vs., Vitalogy). Locking myself in my room in high school and escaping with music was something that every teenager does…I was just lucky enough to get to do it with Eddie Vedder.

“Sleep to Dream” – Fiona Apple, Like every girl, I had my heart broken. It was the summer before my senior year and Fiona helped me to mend it.

“The Freshmen” – The Verve Pipe, This song came on the radio as Kyle was giving me a ride home from State Wrestling my senior year (he was a sophomore in college and offered to drive a bunch of us home, we weren’t dating…he was just being nice and I was lucky enough to be friends with both his brother and his cousin so I got to tag along). When it started playing, we both said “This is a great song” at the same time. He looked at me in the rearview mirror and our eyes met. I guess the rest is history…

“And It Stoned Me” – Van Morrison, We made the most of that summer before I left for college. I was leaving for St. Louis and the boy I had fallen head over heels in love with was heading to Toledo. That summer was one of the best times in my life.

“The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)” – Missy Elliott, My college roommate at Washington University was the child of two Israeli-born parents, an orthodox Jew, filthy rich, and should have been no stranger to the effects of discrimination. Despite her background and history, she introduced me to Missy Elliott’s music by saying, “Do you want to hear some n***** music?” When I called her on it, she looked at me blankly and said, “Well, that’s what they call it.” That moment has forever stuck with me.

“Light of Some Kind” – Ani DiFranco, I discovered Ani in college. Again, it was really hard to pick just one song. I turn to Ani for everything. I listen to her when I’m angry, when I’m frustrated, when I want to cry, when I need someone to understand. I guess I listen to her to feel.

“Anna Begins” – Counting Crows, I made a decision to transfer to a different college. I got engaged. I was changing the course of my life. I was starting over. This song resonated with me.

“Pretzel Sex” – The Buzz Poets, This was a local band we followed in Pittsburgh. Those years were fun. They weren’t easy, but Kyle and I had to grow up in order to grow together. Amazingly, it worked.

“The Power of Two” – Indigo Girls, This is us. This song is a testament to our relationship. We defied the odds. I had made a decision to follow my heart and I’ve never looked back.

“Vivo Per Lei” – Andrea Bocelli, This was our wedding song. I studied in Italy for a summer in college. I was an Art History major with a concentration on 17th century Italian drawings. We honeymooned in Rome and Florence. Italy is a major part of who I am.

“I’m Already There” – Lonestar, My maternal grandmother had a massive stroke less than 3 months after our wedding. She loved country music. My sister and I played this song in the ICU with the hope of waking her up. It didn’t work, but every time I hear it I know she is with me (I also break down into a sobbing mess).

“Beautiful Day” – U2, This song reminds me of 9/11, which is also my birthday. That day everything changed in the world. Now, on 9/11, I am grateful for all that I have and to be surrounded by all the people I love.

“Seasons of Love” – Original Cast of Broadway Musical Rent, After graduating college, I got married and immediately started post-bac pre-med work at another university. Kyle worked hard to lay a foundation for his career. We never lost sight of where we were going and every decision we made was done with the future of our family in mind. All that, and this happened to be our favorite musical of all time…we saw it three times.

“Good Night My Love” – Harry Connick, Jr., We saw Harry in concert when I was pregnant with Kade (he danced in my belly through the entire thing). Kyle brought this cd to the hospital when Kade was born. I remember him holding his newborn baby boy with tears in his eyes while singing this song to him. I also remember countless hours spent rocking my colicky baby while this cd played in the background. Some songs will forever be attached to a single moment and this is definitely one of them.

“Angel” – Sarah McLachlan, When Kyle’s mom was battling for her life against leukemia, I would imagine that the child growing inside me (Liv) was her angel. I can’t help but cry every time I hear this song. That time in my life was full of so much fear. The only thing we could cling to was hope. I also truly believe that Liv was born on the wings of angels. When I see glimpses of my grandmother in her, I know that it’s true.

“If You Listen” – Elizabeth Mitchell, This is from my all-time favorite children’s album. I play music for my children every single day. I love being a mother. I love seeing the joy on their faces as they twirl and sing in the kitchen. In those moments, I am a child again…dancing with them.

“Falling or Flying” – Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, When I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes I looked at it as a challenge. I am a week away from running my second marathon. You really can gain strength from adversity.

“Big Wheel” – Tori Amos, This is actually just a joke song. I love Tori and many of her songs have played in snapshots of my life, but this particular song has the lyrics, “M.I.L.F. don’t you forget…” so how could I not include it…

Kyle’s right…this isn’t a playlist, it’s a box set.

Anyone else willing to take on the soundtrack challenge?