Our family recently embarked on a road trip to visit relatives, and we’ve established a rule about music to ensure everyone in the car gets a turn as the DJ, aiming for a fair balance. Occasionally, our newly turned 13-year-old daughter, Abigail, selects a song that we all genuinely enjoy—a pleasant surprise. Similarly, sometimes we, not too often, play music from our teenage years, and to our relief, Abigail doesn’t object. There are times, however, where there’s a palpable generational divide.

I remember listening to Foo Fighters, Blink 182, My Chemical Romance, Seether, Backstreet Boys (don’t judge), Eminem, and any number of bands I loved and having my parents saying the same things my husband and I generally think/say about our daughter’s music. I doubt I’ll amend my position about Abby’s music any more than I suppose my parents will amend theirs.**

During this particular road trip back home, Sam chose “90s Alternative Essentials” on iTunes for his music pick, and it was a real blast from the past. As we listened to each song, we exclaimed, “Wow! DEEP CUT!” or “Man, this takes me back” or “I feel old.” There were even songs that brought back vivid memories of where I was and what I felt when I heard them. Overall, it was a very bittersweet time with my husband as we rolled down the highway toward home, with Abby in the back, earbuds in her ears, scowling because she couldn’t play Taylor Swift on the car stereo during this particular musical journey. I consider myself fairly musically open-minded but I cannot abide “Bad Blood” another time – I’m only human.

One band I asked my husband to play was Lifehouse. I remember strolling around with my Discman, listening to “No Name Face” (released in October 2000), experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions. This CD was the soundtrack to my high school years. While I enjoyed their subsequent albums, none of them impacted me quite like the first one did.

Fast forward to 2001/02ish, and teenage Cait fell in love. Well, I fell in love with the idea of love. At that age, you couldn’t have convinced me that I didn’t know what romantic love truly was, or much of anything beyond what I already believed or learned on my own. It wasn’t until my time in the military that I would be unequivocally informed that I knew nothing. Now, I can confidently say I know a little bit about a few things, but in general, I’m just winging it, much like everyone else.

When teenage Cait had her heart broken by her first “love,” she sought solace in Lifehouse, who seemed to be the only ones who comprehended emotion at all. My parents certainly didn’t understand that their baby daughter had her soul crushed and would never recover; as you can tell, I was overly dramatic, and this keeps me up at night, especially since my daughter is essentially my clone.

A song that received significant playtime on that CD was “Everything.” Today, as a woman creeping up on 40, married with two kids, and possessing a deeper understanding and faith in God, I have a very different perspective on what love is and what it entails. Likewise, my interpretation of what this song means has evolved significantly.

Reflecting on the songwriter’s intention for “Everything” to be open to interpretation spiritually and secularly, I now see this track through the lens of my faith journey. What once symbolized love between two people has transformed into a symbol of my unwavering faith and belief in God. This evolution fascinates me—the same song, experienced differently as I’ve grown spiritually and emotionally.

“Everything” now finds its place on my “Christian” music playlist rather than simply on my “Love” playlist. The irony of my Christian music getting more playtime on my AirPods than other playlists amuses me. This is ironic to me because it is music I once reserved for Sundays; now these songs have transcended into an everyday connection to my faith, a reminder of God’s presence every day of the week.

This evolution in perception prompts me to wonder about my daughter’s future perspective on her cherished songs. Will the melodies that currently resonate so deeply with her heart and soul undergo a metamorphosis over time, mirroring her own journey and growth? Only time will unveil the answers, locking these musical moments into her own nostalgia, or perhaps revealing new layers of meaning and connection. Music, after all, has a remarkable ability to grow and evolve with us, a timeless companion on the journey of life.

I will sing to the Lord all my life;
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

Psalm 104:33

_{** Editor’s Note: On a side note, while giving a ride to my friend’s teenage daughter and pre-teen son to a joint activity with Abby, I had Foo Fighters playing in my car. I asked the teen girl in the front seat if she’d like a change of music, unsure if her mother would approve of Foo Fighters. She replied nonchalantly, “No, my dad listens to this band, and I love the oldies.” I adore this kid, but never in my life have I come so close to kicking someone out of my car and making them walk. Ouch.}