Music

RIP Brian Wilson.

Impossible for me to reflect back on my childhood without hearing the Beach Boys soundtrack play alongside the memories, largely influenced by my dad (whom I love dearly).

From learning to belt the words of "Wouldn't It Be Nice" long before I understood what they meant to baa-baa-baaing on road trips to "Barbara Ann," many of my life's simplest, happiest moments are intertwined with Brian's music.

As a summer kid on the lake in Michigan or around the community pool, the staples were "Surfin' USA" and "I Get Around."

Then, as a tween who yearned for visits to the West Coast but proud of her East Coast roots, "California Girls" became the favorite. I am nearly positive my dad sent me a YouTube link to it once I finally made the decision to move to California as an adult.

And if I have a wedding one day with a father-daughter dance, it would be to one song and one song only: "God Only Knows" because, yes, God only knows what I'd be without the man who introduced me to the Beach Boys.

building farcaster | surfing @ venice, ca | eating @ gjusta / gjelina | “lucky me, lucky mud” 🤠