While I was laying in bed, listening to this one CD, I thought of some old times. I felt a surge of incredible emotions as I started to remember some of the great times I had back then. Man, we had some great days. And through it all, we had the music.

The CD I’m currently listening to is an old mix made back in 1988-89 by my friend Katie. It was simply called “Katie’s Mellow Mix”. I used this tape to go to sleep every night. I know my friend Dee used it as well. We loved it.

My friend Al and I made mix tapes before, but it was usually just top 40 hits bunched together. We’d go out and buy the 45’s and then put them on one tape to listen to in the car while cruising. But this tape, was well put together. I almost never actually heard the second side of the tape because by then I was quite asleep.

Listening to this CD (yes, I converted the tape to a CD eventually), I couldn’t help but remember all the great times we had together. Back then, life seemed so much simpler. Of course it was. We were young and reckless.

Katie was a great friend. (And still is, though I have not talked to or heard from her in ages—Kate, if you’re reading this drop me a line!) We had some great time together! I remember the first time I met her at Bennigan’s like it was yesterday. We all spent so much time together, we never thought it would ever end. In my opinion, it never has. Although we all live far apart (well most of us at least), I will always think of them as the best of friends with the best of memories.

Listening to this CD only makes me realize the type of bond music makes. How often do you catch yourself reminiscing about “the old times” when you hear a certain song? I do it so often. Sometimes the feelings are so strong I can almost feel the wind, the way the leaves would be falling from the trees, and the smells from that exact moment. (Some of the smells weren’t always good though!) I laugh to myself thinking about a lot of them, and perhaps even a tear will show when thinking of some of the sad times. Yes, the memories are great.

I like to think that my life is like a movie, so with every movie, you have a soundtrack. Last year, in October, I had started my own soundtrack. I stopped at volume 2, but Really, there’s so much more. No one’s soundtrack could ever fit on one CD after all.

Man, all these songs just reminds me of times gone by. The times spent at Wildwood, the shore, and countless other places too numerous to mention. It all brings a smile to my face. I was definitely born lucky to have friends like I do. I might not keep in touch with all of them, but they will be in my thoughts always.

“The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart.” – Elisabeth Foley