The Power of Music

One of the defining moments of my life happened in New York City on my 30th birthday. My husband and I decided to celebrate by doing something I had always loved, but had put on hold since becoming a mom—go to the theater.

We excitedly booked our flights and made the big trip from California to Manhattan—my first time to the city. As Mike and I sat in the plush seats of the Palace Theatre taking in the lights, colors and drama of Aida, something came over me. I expected to be entertained and inspired, but I didn’t anticipate being so deeply moved—after hearing Heather Headley (who played the title role) powerfully singing these equally powerful lyrics, my life would never be the same.

If you don’t like your fate, change it! You are your own master, there are no shackles on you!
(from Adam Pascal’s “Enchantment Passing Through”)

As I sat in the theater that day, I had a dream in my heart to start Evereve. And after dreaming for seven years without doing anything, it was starting to tear me up inside. The dream seemed completely impossible and the thought of drawing up a business plan and putting it in action terrified me—it actually made me feel sick to my stomach. For years, I doubted myself and didn’t think I had the power make it come alive.

It was Heather’s powerful voice that day in New York that reminded me: I have the power—with God’s help—to take control of my life. And I stepped out into the sticky summer air after the final curtain call feeling brave and believing in myself just a little bit more.

Two years ago (and twelve years after founding Evereve), I reached out to Heather to tell her my story and thank her for being such a powerful voice in my life. She graciously responded by inviting me to visit her backstage when she was a cast member in the New York City run of The Color Purple. What a dream to meet Heather and get an insider’s peek at the magic of Broadway (major fangirl moment!). I was also delighted to discover that Heather regularly shops at our Wheaton, Illinois store—how fun that all these years later, I can give back through fashion a little bit of the inspiration and power that she gave to me.

How are you making room for the power of music in your life?