Today Is Your Day: Thank You Shania Twain

You got what it takes you can win
Today is your day to begin
Don't give up here, don't you quit
The moment is now, this is it
I know that you can then you will
Get to the top of the hill
Part of the fun is the climb
You just gotta make up your mind

Music has always been a big part of my life. Even before I can actually remember listening and enjoying music, my parents say I always asked to listen to Rickey Van Shelton and Reba McEntire. As a young child, I had to have my radio on and turned to country in order to fall asleep.

Music has been my comfort; my go-to. It has been there for me in ways that nothing or no one else could in times when I needed it the most. I remember sitting at my Grandma's dinner table, listening to the country greats, learning how to play poker and various other card games. When she passed away, that music was my comfort; my emotional release. And that still applies today.

There has always been one artist who's music has inspired me, empowered me, and helped me realize that anything is possible. Her lyrics have touched me in ways that are hard to explain. Her music is the stuff I sing out loud in the car driving through town.

Shania Twain has been a personal hero of mine for many years. I wore out multiple copies of "Come on Over" because I played them too many times. I distinctly remember asking my father to play "Honey I'm Home" whenever I rode in his truck. I watched her "UP! Live in Concert" special on TV repeatedly and had a poster hanging in my room. When she quit touring and quit producing new music, I was devastated. At the time, I didn't understand but now, I admire her even more.

At 22, the only real experience I have had was the experience of death. Losing all of my grandparents before graduating high school was a devastating time in my life and music, her music, got me through it. I listened to Shania Twain, all of her songs (even her first self-titled CD) on repeat for months. The lyrics of love and happiness and powerful women were surprisingly soothing and comforting.

When Shania Twain quit touring, I saw my dreams of seeing her perform live fall into a burning ring of fire. I was devastated.

Then, the comeback. "Why Not? With Shania Twain" debuted on the OWN Network and I was glued to my TV. She released her song "Today is Your Day", which you will find a portion of above, and it became my new anthem.

You've got what it takes, you can win.
Today is your day to begin.
Don't give up here, don't you quit.
The moment is now, this is it.

It's powerful lyrics remind us to never give up, that you have what it takes to make your dreams come true. Today IS your day and nothing at all will stand in your way of making your dreams come true if you never give up trying.

When she announced her two-year Las Vegas run, I begged my parents to take me but in the end, it never happened. Shania Twain was performing again, she was making music, and that was all that mattered.

The Rock This Country Tour was announced just a few weeks ago and I knew I had to go, no matter how far I had to travel. Des Moines, Iowa is only a few hours drive, and August 6, 2015 cannot come soon enough.

My dream of seeing Shania Twain perform live is finally coming true and I get to share this experience with some of my closest friends. While I get to check one item off of my bucket list, I only wish I could tell her just how much her music has influenced me, inspired me and helped me through times in my life when nothing else could.

Thank You Shania Twain, for helping me realize that today IS my day and that I'm not just a pretty face because Man, I feel like a woman.

KC