Glorious

"Everyone plays a piece and there are melodies in each one of us...oh, it's glorious..."

Choir is over. 

Choir is over and now I have to figure out what I'm going to pour my heart into. I'm not gonna see most of my family for a really, really long time.

Maybe it was coincidence or fate or God the day I walked into that tiny church and was met by countless pairs of beautiful eyes that were as shy as mine. But it wasn't coincidence when we began to introduce ourselves and laugh and watched Frozen together and decided that we liked each other. It wasn't coincidence when I hugged Lilly goodbye that day and thought to myself that I wouldn't mind seeing that smile more often.

Maybe it was coincidence or fate or God or by default that those same beautiful girls with beautiful eyes elected me choir president one afternoon after I promised to bring them cookies. It wasn't coincidence when tears and laughter and pride and joy and family followed.

This is what I know. After last night, this is the conclusion that I've come to.

Love is not a coincidence.

Family is not a coincidence.

They are choices.

Conscious, purposeful choices.

Choices that result in memories that make my heart overflow with abounding, unending joy.

A text message at 11 o'clock at night and staying until she goes to bed because she doesn't want to be alone.

Hands holding my hands and heads against my head and hearts beating with my heart as these girls mourn with me the loss of life taken too soon.

Lizzie's random hugs.

Lilly attacking me at her front door after us being separated for a month.

Coming downstairs and arms flying to wrap around my torso and almost losing my balance for the 8 or 9 girls screaming with excitement because I was late to the party but it's okay because we're all together again.

Throwing my arms around Kristina and laughing and screaming when we FINALLY GET OUR FREAKIN PART DOWN.

Scurrying over to Sarah during a break in choir rehearsal and plopping down in her lap because I don't have to ask.

Paris' hand in mine.

Zoe's radiant smile whenever we make eye contact.

"JENNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN?!"

Kristina's head on my shoulder while we watch TV.

Listening to music together and comparing and contrasting just for the sake of doing something together. 

Trading random tumblr posts with Sarah and Emily.

Alli sharing her Cheetos.

Creating a secret song for Jen because we can't figure out another way to express our love and we all know that music speaks where words fail.

Laughing until I'm sobbing with these girls that have become my sisters in a matter of a semester.

A giant group hug at the end of the concert.

Walking arm in arm down the street with my best friends and realizing that the world around me is beautiful because I can see its beauty through them. Realizing that I am surrounded by these moments that make my life worth living with these precious people that give my days light and meaning. Stopping and understanding that these things, these people, these seconds are not coincidence but God-ordained. 

A silent, "thank You," at the end of a full night, whispered by a full heart. 

Being with these people and wondering what I knew of love before.

And making music with all of them is like tasting Heaven. And it was all over so fast. 

Love is not a coincidence. They are not a coincidence.

My family is not a coincidence.

They are a glorious gift from my God.

I love you guys.