It can be hard to know when you’ve “made it” in life. It kind of seems like there’s a series of “made its.” Graduations, marriages, promotions. You might feel for a second that you’re finally there, and life is good.
Sometimes though, the fun part is in the journey. Who cares if you make it, making it there is way more fun. The experience of college was fun for me, more fun than walking across the stage to get my diploma. The rehearsal experience is fun for a play, but I might argue the performance is the best part. Those “getting there” times are what make great stories and great experiences.
Day 28: When I Get There – Ben Rector
I feel like if you’re 30 and have released five top-selling albums as a singer-songwriter, you might say you’ve “made it.” But who can say? I can imagine the journey for Ben Rector from writing singles for Christian movies (cue October Baby) to making it on the Billboard Hot 100 was pretty exciting. I’ve been able to see him in concert twice in two very different-sized venues over the course of a few years. I saw him first in 2013 at a small concert venue in town (and I met him yaaas) and then in a much bigger concert venue in 2016. Only a few years and he was selling out concert halls after his 2015 release “Brand New.” I can imagine those three years were quite the whirlwind.
One of his early albums, “Into the Morning” released in 2010, has a lot of fun songs about being in love and being out of love – typical singer-songwriter fare. But Rector adds just enough flair and soul that it’s fun and almost whimsical. One of my favorites off this album is “When I Get There,” mostly for its driving rhythm, but also for its breezy disposition. He’s singing about how excited he is to see someone he loves.
One more day till I see you
Oh, see the light start comin’ through
See the sun comin’ up on the skyline
Oh, I can feel the way it feels to be alive
When you’re super-duper in love, those times when you don’t see the person you love are long and difficult. But when you get to see them again, you feel like a brand new person. It’s accurate even outside of a love context. On the day before your graduation, your wedding, your promotion or interview, etc., a new chapter is starting and it’s exciting and you feel alive.
Give me one more lovely day
(When I get, when I get, when I get there)
Give me soul along the way
(When I get, when I get, when I get there)
Give me one more, I can’t wait
(When I get, when I get, when I get there)
Wait for you to say, “Well hello” when I get there
To me, this song is about being excited about what the future holds. In this context, it’s about a loved one. He can’t wait for another day with her, can’t wait to hear her say “hello.” The anticipation is part of the whole experience, not just the moment itself.
See that smile across my face
Oh, no more clouds and no more gray
So give me one, give me one, give me one more
Oh, and I swear you keep me comin’ back for more
Adorable. He’s flying high, and he’s finally arrived. And he wants more. That’s the thing with “arriving.” You get there, and you want to stay there, or get even more. One day with your love isn’t enough. One promotion isn’t enough. One success should lead to more success.
It could be cock-eyed optimism, but it’s a decent disposition to have about life. You might not always know what’s around the corner, but the way there can be pretty exciting.
Audrey D. DeBoer 