Yes, I actually play the piano

Meet my lovely and dear friend Emily: The girl has a voice that you would covet, if coveting singing voices was your thing.

She is quite beautiful in every way.
Last night I had the good fortune to accompany her on her graduate recital. We performed a bit of Schumann, a variety of Bizet, some arias for which I became a one-woman orchestra.

(Let me take this moment to thank the most phenomenal page-turner I have ever had the pleasure to work with. Thanks to her there were no page-turning disasters. The only disasters were entirely my own--two moments of completely exposed, completely wrong, no-way-to-hide-it badness. In true Lauren fashion, when I mess up, I mess it up for realz.)

Emily and I finished up our portion, and then the University Choir that we work with marched onto the stage. They (along with our favorite Dr. Leach) accompanied Emily on a medley of spirituals that was extraordinarily exquisite. As I listened from backstage I realized that if I were sitting in the audience I would probably be quite moved, and have to wipe away a tear or two (or three or four, since in true Lauren fashion, when I tear up I tear up--for realz.)

When all was said and done, Em and I took our final bow.
It was a special moment, as this was more than a professionial relationship in action. This was a musical journey of preparation and performance, made meaningful by the fact that first and foremost we are on a journey of friendship. I was proud of Emily's accomplishment, and grateful to be a part of her special night.

Life is not worth living if you don't have people to share special moments with, and this night will go down in my books as evidence that my life is indeed worth it!

(Special thanks to Kim for the pictures! It is difficult to take pictures of yourself on stage, as you might well imagine...)