Thursday, February 28, 2013

Songs That Take You Places: Scar Tissue


We had only been officially dating for about a week when Shawn proclaimed "Scar Tissue" 
by the Red Hot Chili Peppers "our song".  We were traveling all summer: Australia, 
Thailand, Dubai.  And everywhere we went, we heard Anthony Keidis' beautiful voice 
singing:
"Scar tissue that I wish you saw.
Sarcastic Mr. Know-It-All.
Close your eyes and I'll kiss you cause with the birds I'll share.
With the birds I'll share this lonely view"
It was our summer of love, those first few months of getting to know each other and
growing closer and letting down our walls.  We fell hard and deep for each other and he
knew how to love me just right.  A "Sarcastic Mr. Know-It-All" and a "Southern girl with
a Scarlett drawl": navigating through new waters and giving of ourselves so willingly.  We
had no scar tissue then, we were newly in love and our relationship was a clean slate.
That beautiful, melodious tune followed us through our early days and began the
soundtrack to our life together.  And every time we heard it, Shawn held out his hand
and pulled me into his arms and we danced.  
"Falling all,
Over myself to lick your heart and taste your health 'cause.
With the birds I'll share this lonely view"
From the day we decided to be together, we spent every waking moment in each other's
arms.  We walked hand in hand through Australia, exploring every inch of Perth
and Fremantle.  Shawn convinced my snobby Southern palette to try new foods and I
taught him how to two step across a dance floor.  He showed off at the skate park and
bought me a rose from the little old man on the corner and I smothered him in a million
kisses.  One night, we somehow found ourselves at a real live peep show, a place where
you drop quarters into a slot and watch exotic dancers behind a glass screen.  We hid our
eyes and giggled like two little kids before running for our lives. We walked through big,
open marketplaces in Thailand, felt the sand between our toes on Pattaya Beach.  We
shopped in big open marketplaces and watched Thai boxers fight in a beach side arena.  And
all that time, in all those places, "Scar Tissue" played in the background.  
I heard our song on the radio yesterday as I was driving home to my husband of 12 years
and our two little girls, our new baby snuggled warm in my belly.  We've been through so
much since those early days of running through life, the scar tissue that so often
accompanies real life experiences wrapped tightly around our hearts.  When the
honeymoon ended and the hard work that is required of a lasting relationship began,
we welcomed the scar tissue with open arms, knowing it would blossom into a love
even stronger and deeper than before.  We're still a "Sarcastic Mr. Know-It-All" and
a "Southern girl with a Scarlett drawl", we still dance every single time we hear that song.
Our first song.  The song that will always remind me of our summer of love, of new
and exciting places, of kissing for hours and feeling like I had finally found my soul
one.  Because I had.









8 comments:

Ashley said...

I love this! Absolutely love it

Jess said...

Oh Liv..this has me crying a big baby. Pregnancy hormones are ridic. <3

Caitlin A. said...

Look how young you guys are, AHH! So adorable! And love this post, also. Wicked sweet. Thank goodness you put the lyrics because honestly I only ever understand about .2% of any RHCP song. I was shocked to learn that in "Californication," the line actually WAS "first born unicorn." I thought I had that totally wrong, haha.

Olivia said...

That whole album is actually about Anthony's heroin addiction: SO romantic!! "Scar Tissue" is about his struggle to resurrect himself after such a long battle. Of course, that's not how we heard it but that's really what it's about. Have you ever read his book, surprisingly entitled "Scar Tissue"? It's an awesome read and it explains a lot of their songs. Check it out!

Olivia said...

I know I know! I cried writing it! And then Shawn cried when he read it this morning! Too many hormones!

Olivia said...

Thank you:)

Vanessa said...

This post. <3

Music really does transport, doesn't it? This same song reminds me of summer, too, specifically our first anniversary trip to Kansas City and my bare feet on the dashboard. But I like your memories better; what a special time for you guys. And the photos, OMG, they are awesome! You make me want to dig through my photo boxes.

Olivia said...

Your memory sounds pretty awesome, too! And yes to pulling out old photos! It's so fun!