I've heard it said time and time again, ""Home is where the heart is."" I'm beginning to believe it's true. I've moved more times in my life than a 3 year old with ants in his pants after eating a bag full of gummy bears (not the sugar free kind). From the California coast to the monuments of our nation's capital (Northern VA counts) I've met a handful of people I don't like and an ocean full of people that I love. Out of all the places my Marine Corps Dad (Semper Fi) took my family, my favorite was wherever we were living at the time (how's that for partiality?). Ok, if I had to pick one place I would say...ummm...California for sure. I loved the weather, the beach and most of all the people.

Growing up and moving around A LOT, I found some truths:

- Change makes the heart heavy, but also gives it life to continue beating.
- Family is who your best friend is at the moment.
- Friends come and go, but you never really let go of the good ones.
- The Marines are hard core.
- Girlfriends were much more fun to have in the 8th grade.
- Sex and drugs were worth staying away from.
- Graduating high school seniors do cry when they leave for college.
- College girls are so pretty.
- Getting a college degree turned out to be worth it.
- Divorce is real, and tough to take at any age.

One thing I figured out early in life was that 'it' happens so you better be prepared. Despite my unique ability to meet people and become the most liked and most hated guy in each school I went to (oh yeah, it's possible) I learned to find a way to express myself that didn't involve alcohol, drugs, fireworks or gasoline (It's OK to laugh).

I wrote songs.

Everything was a song to me. At first I didn't even sing at all. Maybe it was because a doctor had told me after vocal chord surgery at the age of 7 I would never be able to sing (HA!). So, if a musically inclined person can't sing, they pick up the trumpet and play it for 12 years. I actually played trumpet in the high school band (represent, don't hate).

Well, sometimes things happen for a reason (OK, all the time) and my love for creating, sharing and performing music has it's reasons. I know some of them and I don't know a lot of them. I'm not supposed to be able to sing, yet I've been given a gift. I find it funny that out of all the compliments one can give, the most I receive are about my voice. I'm humbled in every way I can be (those that know me know humility is something I work on) when I get an email, text message or comment about how someone just loves my voice. Thank you!

The later years of my life sped up:

Marriage is unbelievable (in a good way of course) and I wouldn't have life any other way. The Navy is a great place to start and possibly finish a worthwhile career. Those that don't know, my full time job is a Naval Officer - here's a breakdown of where the Navy has taken us and what I've done: OCS in Pensacola, Flight School in Pensacola and San Antonio, First flying duty station in Oklahoma City, and now I'm an NROTC college instructor in the Atlanta Region. Being a Dad has proven challenging, but it's pretty much amazing.

Some would say life is like a box of chocolates, but I wouldn't, because I know what I'm going to get. My life will always be filled with:

- People that build up not tear down.
- People that tell you the truth even though it may hurt
- Love that surpasses all understanding (the Godly kind ya'll)
- Grace towards others
- Acceptance of failure but not defeat
- MUSIC!

Shoot me your story, after all, this life is not about me at all - I'm just one dude trying to change the world one song at a time.

Matt

Matt Thien - Song 65070 Catchy melody that you will sing all day long and in your sleep!

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