My love affair with music

Our love is unconditional. I’m convinced our relationship is beyond understanding yet simple to maintain. It is days like this I must tell you I love you for who you are, what you are not and what I know you could be.

Many others also adore your infinite compassion, endless love and creativity. Yet, every time you speak to me, I feel it in my soul; like your words were for my ears only. I brag about our relationship to everyone and perhaps create some jealousy.

Some just do not have the heart or the soul to truly appreciate you. In fact, there are some who exploit you, break you down and create a fake persona only to satisfy their greed. For that, I truly apologize, and I’ve made it my life goal to help you truly reveal yourself to the rest of the world.

I can remember when we first met. I was very young, ready to start school and only had a few close friends. We had long conversations every night before bedtime and I made you stay with me in my room for the entire night. You were my comfort and the only consistent part of my life before I knew what love was.

My family and I moved almost every year so friends came and went, but you never left me behind. You are beyond unconditional and the word “love” hardly does you justice.

You have so much to give and so many aspects of your personality. I can associate a part of you to each turning point in my life. Your maturity is still beyond my comprehension and I thank you for being patient with my own immaturity. As my life progressed from you sitting at my bedside, you continued to reveal more of yourself to me in a lyrical array of rhythmic bliss.

I studied your personality and I continue my research it to this day. The effect you have on the world is hard to fathom. I’ve seen the power of your love lift relationships out of misery, give strength to dreamers and even save lives. What did I do to deserve such attention? It brings me to my knees, and I thank God for your presence in my life, especially on this day dedicated to lovers.

Of course, you are far from perfect. Besides those around you who use your power for self-fulfillment, your power is hard to control. I blame you for the deaths of several influential people and sometimes the nostalgic emotions you evoke are bittersweet.

You are so powerful, even the government tries to control you. Now-a-days you hide underground and what you reveal to the public is ugly. Your moments of glory are fading and as each generation comes to pass, your influence dissipates within the airwaves of our hearts.

As my undergraduate career comes to an end, I’m finally able to dedicate all of my time to you, as you rightfully deserve. So on this Valentine’s Day I want to proclaim my love to you and promise I will dedicate my future endeavors to your purpose.

Your purpose, of course, varies with every person you encounter and share your life with. Still, there is one purpose that we all can agree on: longevity. Music, your love knows no boundaries.

—Ryan McDonald is a senior majoring in communication and a staff writer for the IC.