Friend(ly) Obsession

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Nashville, TN: Over the past few days, I've been slightly obsessed with two of my friends. I'd like to think of it more as a friendly obsession, but no matter how you say it, it still sounds kinda creepy.

I met Jill Pickering and Kate Rapier on the 2 Worlds 2 Voices Tour is 2008. Technically, they weren't on the tour (guess there were enough girl singers?), but because they are normally on the road with the boss' management-company-mate, I had gotten to chat with them a few times.

I knew a few basic things about them:

- they sing backup vocals
- Jill plays the guitar
- 9 times out of 10, one of them is making a funny face in candid photos

They also do amazing work with Houses of Hope in Africa (which Kate's Dad started) and it was at their benefit show in 2010 that I first heard their personal penned songs. They do a series on their blog called new song on the 17th and even though I've known about this via their website and Facebook page, I don't remember really listening to them in the past.

Late one night, I spent hours on their page, listening to their songs. watching their videos and feeling such a strong connection to the sweet and soulful lyrics, performed (usually in hotel bathrooms) with memorable melodies and rich harmonies. This song, in particular, seemed to jump off of the screen and directly into my heart. I've been listening to it on repeat and now can sing along without looking at the lyrics (three part harmony, anyone?).

I'm grateful for friends who can write (and sing) what the rest of us feel.

And even more grateful when those friends don't get too weirded out by their friend(ly) obsessor.