When I was around sixteen, I fell in love with David Cook’s music while he was a performer on American Idol. Alright, alright, I will admit I was a little in love with him too. Sheesh. You caught me. I was a somewhat normal teenage girl.

Since David’s run on AI, I’ve followed his career closely, going to see him in concert five times in the last nine years. And while my crush on the man himself has fizzled (mostly due to the fact that he’s married now, so I have no chance of winning him over), my love of his music never has. And during this most recent experience, I was finally able to meet him.

[image error]It was a quick chat, a signed VIP laminate, a hug, a picture, but it was also more. I could never have conveyed to him what, exactly, his music has meant to me over the years, but I tried to get at least a little bit of my feelings across.

Depression has followed me for most of my life, creeping in and leeching out my confidence and happiness at the worst moments, leaving me feeling empty and alone. And through it all, music has been my therapy.

I can’t say the exact moment or day that David became my favorite singer, but he has held that place for many years now. Through many of my darkest moments, his music has helped me pull myself back together when I wasn’t sure that I could continue. Even now that I am in a much better place mentally, listening to his music gives me an extra boost of happiness and inspiration. All it takes is a few seconds, a line in a song, and I’m immediately lifted, ready to face what’s ahead. And that, that is magic.

The power of music is real.

And of course, being a writer, David’s music has had an impact on my writing. In fact, certain lyrics in his songs have inspired entire story ideas and made characters blossom, fully realized, in my mind. And I’m sure that there is plenty more inspiration coming with his new music.

I don’t go to many concerts. In fact, David is one of only four or five people that I have seen live, and the only one that I’ve seen multiple times. I am not one to idolize entertainers (at least not now, as an adult), but meeting David was definitely a highlight of my year thus far. As a creator myself, I know how it feels to have your work appreciated, and I hope that came across in those few moments we interacted.

Now my hope is that I can help someone and inspire someone the way that David has helped and inspired me.