Have you ever liked a song because it reminded you of something — or rather, someone?
I have a few songs that bring back memories of a great movie or a fun party. But one in particular stood out for a long time. When I was younger, I was part of something called Chiro, a Belgian youth movement similar to scouts, but with its own unique traditions. One of those traditions was the daily “wake-up song” that blasted across the campsite each morning.
During my final year as a Chiro member — before I became a leader — our wake-up song was “Bongo Bong” by Manu Chao. And for the longest time, that song hit me the hardest. Every time I heard it, I was instantly transported back to that last summer camp — easily the most memorable one.
That was true, at least, until early September 2024.
When I started texting with Her, we did so through Instagram. You know how you can add a song to your stories? (I still haven’t figured out how to do it myself.) One day, I opened Instagram to read Her messages. Her story circle popped up first — and it had a song attached. The song was “Dance With Me” by Blink-182.
In my head I went, Damn, this chick listens to Blink?
So I texted: “Chick, are you listening to Blink-182?”
She replied: “Yas.” Then added, “Especially the beginning.” — which, she joked, is about teaching masturbation.
I told Her Blink-182 was my favorite band when I was younger and mentioned how much I liked “The Rock Show.” She hearted those messages. So I looked up “Dance With Me” on Spotify — and I instantly loved it. It became my new favorite song on the spot.
The good thing about Spotify is you can read the lyrics. I sometimes have trouble understanding the lyrics being sung. Even though I speak fluent English but even in my own language I have trouble understanding the lyrics. It’s more like I can’t really hear what they are singing.
Anyway, “Dance With Me” is incredibly catchy, and I understood right away what it was about: wanting a deep connection with someone you’re in a relationship with.
And that was exactly what I was starting to feel for Her.
I was falling in love with Her — through texts and phone calls — and even that early on, I knew I wanted that deep connection with Her.
There’s a line in the song that goes, “You beat my heart from miles away.”
And that’s exactly what She was doing.
Over 4000 miles apart, and still, She made my heart race.
When I played that song at the gym, I felt like Her was spotting me. Giving me the strength to get those last 2 reps in. I felt strong happy emotions, so strong I would almost tear up at the gym or wherever that song came on. It’s weird but Her has giving emotional strength that translates into physical strength when I’m working out. That song just takes it to an extra level and it still does.
I guess without realizing it, Dance With Me, became our song. We didn’t really say it. But I think we both agreed that it was.
Fast-forward to January 8. I was on my way to meet Her in real life for the first time. I took three different flights to save money, but I finally arrived. At the airport, we had some trouble finding each other. (That story — our first day together — is one I’ll tell another time.)
It’s pretty late and we stop to buy some drinks and I think protein bars at Target and decide to go to bed and spend our first night together.
The next day, we went out for dinner and decided on a Pizzeria.
They seated us in a booth and we placed our order. While we’re waiting for our pizza’s she’s a little quiet but I don’t really notice it, she told me afterwards that she wasn’t feeling all that good.
My hands are reaching over the table holding Her’s — and then it happened.
Our song started playing.
We were both stunned.
We had never heard it played anywhere in public — only through our headphones, on Spotify. We both took this as a sign. A big sign, adding to all the smaller signs and coincidences that seem to happen between us that aligned us to be together.
Later, She told me that hearing the song in that restaurant helped Her let go of the anxious thoughts She was having — and allowed Her to be fully present and happy in that moment with me.
We’ve had so many seemingly impossible coincidences between us.
It really feels like something — the universe, fate, whatever you want to call it — is confirming that we’re meant to be together.
Her told me about the Invisible String Theory.
That’s the next story I’ll tell.
It explains all of these moments — all of these signs — so perfectly.
So there you have it: Dance With Me is our song.
I truly believe something placed us in that restaurant, in that moment, just so we could hear it together.
I felt so happy, so safe.
It felt like my soul was home.
Watching Her while our song played —
was just perfect.