Who the Heck Is Amelia?: Songs That Link to Beautiful Memories #1

Landslide by Fleetwood Mac

I was probably about 5 or 6. I could’ve been in kindergarten. Whatever age I was, I was too young and naïve to be against anything, nor even know who I was. One thing was for sure, though, at that time- I knew that Courtney was my best friend. Nothing could’ve changed that. She was the only friend I could’ve asked for.

I still don’t remember what we were planning to do that day. I only have maybe one or two scenes that come to mind whenever I think about it. Whenever the song comes on, I want to cry a little. It was such a beautiful memory, even if I can only remember a tiny snippet of it. I remember my mom and her mom were up front, and we were both in the back. I wasn’t sure if Sophia was there, (my little sister) or which mom was driving, but I know that I was with Courtney, and we were both having a great time. I was old enough to have figured out that she was the best friend I would ever have. I think it was then that I figured that out. That must’ve been why it still rests in my memory. We were driving past Target and Barnes and Nobles- I think we were heading toward her house, because we were driving towards Concord. She was of the age where she cut her hair really short, and she would put them in pig-tails. The windows were open in the back- my long stringy hair was blowing in the wind. It was a new concept for me to have windows that open in the back. I never had that before. The song had come on, and I knew I’ve heard it before, somewhere. I liked the song, already, because I liked every song when I was little. This version wasn’t the original though- I was too little to realize that. It was the Dixie Chicks version. But we still both got really excited when it first came on.

“I LOVE this song!!” I exclaimed.

“ME TOO!” Courtney agreed. The wind in our faces, the music and the presence of each other excited our little toddler-selves. The song just fueled the excitement.

It must have been something about the fact that we both agreed that we liked the song. I didn’t know all the words, but I knew the tune pretty well, so we both started singing it.

“…children get older, and I’m getting older, too…” I figured out. Our moms laughed at our childish singing, but I genuinely thought it was a great moment in Amelia history. So I thought I’d document it.

“We should make this our song. This is our friend song.” I decided. Courtney agreed with that, and continued humming.

“Yeah! It is! From now on.” And it has, ever since. I remember that moment every time I hear it. That time I heard it, I remember a sense of ‘Courtney is my best friend ever. I want her to be my best friend forever. We have so much in common. She’s the closest friend I’ve had a play-date with. I had my first sleepover with her. We both love this song. This is ours.’ That song labeled our relationship as best friends. And it still does, which is what makes me smile and tear up every time I listen to it.