Music has always been more than background noise.
It is connection, memory, and joy all wrapped in melody.
From Bad Bunny currently blasting through the streets of Puerto Rico and beyond, to the anthems of Oasis echoing through my teenage years, music has been the thread stitching together my culture, my friendships, and my family.
This past weekend, as I spent time in Puerto Rico with my parents, Maritza and Jose, and with my childhood best friend Selina and her boyfriend, I was reminded of just how powerful music is in keeping us close. Even though life has taken us on different paths, the songs we sing along to remind us of who we are and where we came from.
For me, Oasis will always carry a special weight because of the bond I shared with my late uncle Angel, who passed in 2017.
Singing those songs with him made the music eternal, something I carry with me and will certainly carry when I see them in concert this upcoming weekend for the first time. A time that I thought would never come, especially after their last breakup as a band.
And the fact that I’ll be sharing this experience with my husband Sebastian, and my brother, who is also a fan of the band, will make this an iconic and emotional evening of music. Add to that that I’ll finally be meeting his beloved girlfriend Bryna, makes it all around a joyful trip that I’m looking forward to with a smile.
Then there’s my close friend Rebecca, one with who I have shared some of the most fun moments at different concerts together. The fact that we love seeing bands like Garbage, soon makes it a fact that we will always share a song, a dance and a moment together in front of a live band or two that reminds us of the bond that we share.
Just like with my other beloved friend Christiana, one that I have enjoyed so many amazing Hip Hop, and R&B shows with, and I’ll never forget our sing-along to Usher, a moment that cemented the fact that we are also connected through songs, and our friendship will always lead us to enjoy these types of artists together.
And speaking of concerts, there’s something cathartic about being in that space: the lights, the energy, the tears.
Don’t be afraid to cry, sometimes the music demands it.
No matter the distance, no matter the years, music will always connect us. It is the soundtrack of our lives, and it will always remind us of home.
And it will always be that thread that binds us as friends and family. And I would not have it any other way.
