Like most people, I Love music! It inspires something deep inside of me, provides a sweet escape, and creates a heartfelt connect for our family. My husband and I have a playlist of love songs that comforted us during the time he spent away from our family while playing in the NFL (which have all become family favorites from hearing them so many times,) my 12 year old daughter has an eclectic taste in music ranging from 70’s love songs to Taylor Swift, and my 8 year old son is an expert at belting out all of his favorite tunes from the latest animated movie.

I am a survivor of attempted murder and domestic violence, and this past August, many years after those events, I married the love of my life. He is the only father that my son has ever known, a wonderful step-dad to my daughter, and the most amazing partner I could have ever asked for. We had a small wedding with only family and a few close friends, and one of the highlights was our daughter singing a song for us during our ceremony. There was not a dry eye on the beach that day!

I grew up doing musical theater, singing in the choir and singing was my talent, while competing in the Miss America Organization. So, when my daughter mentioned that she wanted to sing at our wedding, I jumped at the chance to enroll both of the children in voice lessons. This was the perfect opportunity to transition our love of music into a study that will hopefully last each of them a lifetime. Both my son and daughter have since performed in theater productions, sung solos and take voice lessons each week.

Our family dance parties and opera singing over breakfast have developed into so much more! I have watched both of our children’s creativity, confidence and self discipline flourish over this last year of voice lessons, performances and more living room recitals than I can count. We have truly made music a family affair, or perhaps music has actually helped us to create a beautiful little family filled with love.