I love music. My two most prized possessions are my AirPods and guitar. If I had to choose which of my belongings to save in a fire those two would always be included. I do own a record player, however, I've never understood the need for it. I often listen to music straight out of my phone speakers.

My father on the other hand, is the exact opposite. He owns the largest record collection I've ever seen and preaches the importance of sound quality. Now that I'm looking back I can see clearly how he influenced every aspect of my music journey and I'm so grateful for that. Music became a great source of bonding between my father and I, from going to concerts to discovering new music together.

Music has served many purposes in my life, bringing me closer to others yet also providing a distraction with which I was able to distance myself. Music offered all the entertainment I could need, thus removing my motivation to socialize. However, music has also connected me to many people. While traveling, I found music had the ability to trancend language barriers. Music also remains one of my favorite conversation starters and topics. I believe a person's music taste can tell you a lot about them. For me, music is more than a pastime, its a guiding force that has deepened my relationships, connected me to strangers, and helped me grow into the person I am today.