The bond created on a roadtrip.

Ok, here is what I want you to do. Put your headphones on, if you don’t have those, make sure your speakers are on at an acceptable volume. Hit this play button. I’ll wait. Go ahead.

Thanks.

Now, think about a big 15 passenger van with windows on all sides so anyone can see out any direction. Sitting with you are your 3 best friends. Think of each person by name. Do it, think of their actual names.

The back of this van is filled with stuff you need for this trip. In my case drums, amps and guitars. You may have some different things than I do, but you are going on a trip to DO something. A trip with a purpose. Maybe to help people, maybe to sing, maybe to act, maybe to work on something you are passionate about.

Now imagine you are either driving this van or you are in the passenger seat, but you are in the front. You are going on the most beautiful, curvy road you have ever driven on. For me it is the drive from Rockford, IL to Galena, IL. It is one of the most beautiful drives in the midwest.

It is the Fall, in the middle of October. The leaves are at that perfect point of changing where they are all still on the trees, beautiful reds, yellows, orange and dark brown fill the landscape. The hills you are driving through are covered with these huge trees, all you see is color. The blue sky in contrast to these trees is breathtaking. The road hugs the very edge of these hills, so you are just a little bit nervous.

You are driving on the perfect weekend where the sun is out and it is just warm enough to warm the van without turning the heat on, but too cold to have the windows down. You and your friends are so comfortable with each other that no one is saying anything nor do they have to, but everyone has just a bit of a smile as they look out the windows.

Now, close your eyes for 30 seconds and imagine you and your friends on this drive. Imagine it in slow motion. Go ahead. Do it. I’ll wait.

Ahhh. Amazing.

This song is called “I Will Sing You Songs”, by My Morning Jacket off of their Okonokos live record. This song makes me think of the drive I just described every time I hear it. I have had this exact road trip multiple times. Mostly with the band I used to be in called CHETT. You have this experience with a few people on a consistent basis and you cannot help but form a bond that will never break. Even if you have disagreements or don’t even talk that much anymore. Don’t you even feel closer to the people you were thinking of? Maybe you should call them.

There is something about a road trip and music that can change a group of people. I can’t even imagine how it must feel for soldiers who go off to actual battle with their best friends. The bond that must come to those soldiers must be like steel. Find some people and make those bonds. Do it. Make the time.

Now enjoy the rest of the song. Don’t hit stop. Let it play out with those thoughts of your friends. Hopefully this brought a little joy to you today.