Share The Love

I had an idea this year for Valentine's Day.

I thought it would be really nice to release a version of Swing, (the only love song I've written in a while...) for my mailing list.

Then I thought - why stop at a version of the song? Why not create a video for the song?

Then I started thinking about different things I could do - I had some nice ideas, some pretty thoughts, but then settled on the winner.

I decided that it would be great to include people's stories, your stories, of love.

So, I asked, and you responded.

With the most beautiful stories!

...There's the story of how a couple met on a blind date and has been married for 40 years.

...Or how a husband visits his wife struggling with dementia every single day. She doesn't know him, so he has to reintroduce himself at each lunch.

...A man told me of how his rescue dog saves him from chronic pain, even though doctors had told him there was no cure.

...A couple told me that they locked eyes from across the gym. (I guess working out does have benefits!)

...A friend told me about how much she loves her daughters, not just because she loves them and they're family, but because they all really like each other.

The stories are fantastic. Beautiful. Moving. Inspiring.

The world can use more love - actually - the world needs more love, so we're going to give it to them.

If you'd like to share your story and be a part of the music video, you can tell your story and send a video or photo to me: kristen@kristengraves.com.

Thanks for sharing the love!

#ShareTheLove

Family

I talk about this idea a lot- the idea of chosen family. Spending time with people that you love whether you're linked legally/genetically/adoptively/etc- that's your family. So some people are your family and some people are your chosen or soul family. It's all good. It's all family.

What's so cool in my family, is that I choose them!

We're cut from the same proverbial cloth.

So Friday night, when five of my flights on two different airlines were cancelled, and I was faced with either canceling two shows or driving through the night to make it on time- guess who made the roadie with me??

Good ole mom and dad.

And it's been an adventure.

We've had a lot of laughs, there's been some backseat driving, and we've mastered the most efficient way to swap drivers/get gas/use the restroom.

And as a team- as a chosen and born family, we've made a road trip in 16 hours, that requires well...16.5.

And arriving at gig #1 for the day, Gaby was there with a list of things that I was hoping to have time to prepare (which is why I was flying in a day early, United & American) but didn't. Life-saving.

I made it to the CT Folk Fest stage with five minutes to spare- with a lot of hugs and a lot of, 'I can't believe you made it!', and just as we started, the rain joined in...

So after a brief rain delay, we played our set- and I had to take off for my next adventure.

We drove through the rain to Teaneck, NJ, where I was playing a Pete Seeger Tribute at the Puffin Foundation. With only slight rain delays, I pulled up to the door, walked in, and got started- yet another perfectly timed entrance.

Did I mention that we're driving back to Wisconsin...today??

So my family rocks. I am so lucky and so grateful. And I hope I get to return these favors.

Love to you and yours, Kristen

5 am. Somewhere in Ohio!

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Made it!!

Mom

My mom is the best. I know everyone says that, but I know we'd be friends even if we weren't related.

Anyway, my brother and I called my mom a bunch of times today, tried to talk her through FaceTime, and reminded her that we love her.

But we do this everyday.

Let's not wait for a holiday.

Love to your mothers and all who have mothered you! Kristen

Six years ago...

Six years ago I flew to Oaxaca, Mexico for one hour. It was an exciting day, Gaby was coming to the U.S.

I didn't sleep on the plane (in either direction) because I was nervous of all of the things that could still go wrong.

But we made it.

We landed in JFK to a very excited Bryan, and we rushed home so that we could all celebrate.

We celebrated with pizza.

Since then... (In no particular order)

Gaby has come on tour with me.

Bryan and I got married. (Gaby was there.)

Gaby has learned the crazy ways of this country.

Gaby mastered English.

Gaby graduated from Norwalk Community College. (I stood on a chair and yelled.)

We got Chip.

We started working on the Cheyenne River Reservation...all of us. Together.

We moved.

Gaby started business school at Sacred Heart.

And last, but not least, for yet another summer- Gaby will dedicate her entire vacation to serving our friends on the CRST Reservation as everyone's favorite chef.

Our family is our family. It would not be complete if we weren't all together.

Happy six years!

Filling out paperwork to start classes at NCC! (I still have that sweater...)

The questions that I gave Gaby to practice! Homework...

Family, friends and feeling safe

I travel a lot. I love the road for many many reasons; I enjoy driving, I love seeing new towns, meeting new people, enjoying new food and restaurants, it's all wonderful.

Hands down, my favorite part of touring and traveling (besides the singing) is getting to reconnect and visit with friends.

I get to see my friends and family around the country pretty often- and I book tours through towns where they are. When they move- my tour shifts. It's pretty great.

I don't stay in hotels many nights because I usually stay with folks on the road- and though I love hotels, I rest so well when I stay with friends.

I have a theory on this.

I think I rest well in part, because we stay up late talking, laughing and sharing stories, so I go to bed feeling really happy.

And as cheesy as it sounds, the other part is, I go to bed feeling really safe.

I'm with my family, whether they're my actual or chosen family, and there's no safer place to be.

I am a lucky and happy girl.

Be safe, and enjoy your family this weekend, Kristen