First, your blog made me wish I had an older sibling. I'm the older sis, but I've always thought I could've used an older brother or sister to help me make my way through. I'm not sure I was the best guide for my younger sister growing up. (Of course, I was also only 18 months older, haha.) Second: driving. I still remember my first driving lesson, which happened to be in our backyard, since my dad was too nervous to let me start driving on an actual road. (In fairness, I was nervous too, so it worked for me as well!) We had the scariest car in the world: it was a green Hornet. I had never even heard of a Hornet before we bought it, and it was the ultimate junker car. I guess my dad figured if I somehow crashed it (because we all know how dangerous head-on collisions with trees at 2 mph can be), it wouldn't be a huge loss. Thirdly: spiders. (Yeah, I'm skipping the make-out session - painful memories, don't feel like dredging those up, lol.) I don't think much of them, but I still remember one night when my sister woke, started letting out the most horrific-sounding moans and cries I've ever heard, and ran out of her bedroom and leaped into bed with my mom & dad. I think she was maybe 10 or 11 at the time? Anyway, the next morning I found out what had set her off so bizarrely. She'd had a nightmare in which she had woken up covered in spiders. I don't know if this scarred her for life, but frankly, just the mental image kind of scarred me! Thanks for writing, as always. Love reading your thoughts. :) Nicole

Comment #2. Okay, kidding aside… I do love reading your writing. You have a way of bringing us into your experiences that I love. And topping it off with a roadtrip playlist was a great touch. Thanks for sharing your heart with us.

Comment #1.

I believe there will ALWAYS be poets, philsophers, musicians, and painters. Oh, and writers. (That's me. ;) ) I love your writing, Ryan. You always make me think. Take care. <3 Nicole

Congratulations to Hiedi! And Ryan, this video made me cry. I am so freaking proud of you for what you're doing with this video. Awesome to hear what it's doing already! love you!

Sounds about how I felt when I first saw you on stage... and every time since then. Everyone I know has loved you from the moment they saw you live. I love to see people become Starlinged like I have! :D

AHHHHH! A bunch of my local stations are on that list! The day I hear one of your songs on the radio is the day I will run around my house (or just jump up & down in my car) screaming. So excited!