The Girl I Was

I remember when I was younger, I wondered what I'd find. I watched the world keep moving on And dreamed what could be mine. I saw the happy faces, The stories people knew. I wondered when my own day came, If I would have one too. I spent my days imagining The person that I was. I thought the world was waiting there Just like everyone. I never knew the life I sought, The dreams I hoped were true, Would start with one familiar song And a dance with someone new. I still remember that first night, The music and the room. A hundred faces gathered there, And somehow there was you. I wasn't looking for forever, I wasn't searching for a sign. I was just a girl who hoped someday That someone would be mine. Then just when I found you, Just when I knew your name, The world asked me to leave behind The hope I thought I'd gained. The house upon the hill was gone, The plans we had were changed. I carried all those memories And took them far away. I spent some time on Grandma's farm, To see who I'd become. I carried all the things I loved And the place that I'd come from. I found new days and different roads, I learned to be alone. But every place I traveled to Still felt not quite like home. And every letter that I wrote you, Every word I tried to send, Could never quite explain how much I missed you like I did. I searched for ways to tell you, But none of them felt right. Those words are always hard to say, No matter how you try. So thank you to this town tonight, For all you've done for me. For standing by my mother dear And giving lovingly. You didn't just save our house, You gave us something more. You showed my dear sweet mom and me What neighbors should be for. And Jimmy, I should thank you too, Because I know what you had planned. You found a way to bring him here And put the music in his hands. You knew he'd never ask for help, You knew he'd hide away. So you found a reason strong enough To bring him here today. You saw a need within a friend Before he understood. You did what only true friends do, Because you knew you should. And Spencer... I don't know if you ever knew The things I couldn't say. The way you made me feel that night When you looked my way. You were the first one who could see The person that I was. You made me feel that maybe I Was wanted just because. I thought that leaving meant that I Had to say goodbye. But some things stay inside your heart No matter how you try. I spent my whole life wondering If my day would ever come. I thought that if I found someone, My life would have begun. I thought that finding love would mean I'd finally understand. I never knew the day I dreamed Was waiting in your hands. So thank you to this town tonight, For bringing me back home. Thank you for the love you gave When we thought we were alone. And Spencer, now I finally see The thing I couldn't know... The girl I was that night we met Was the girl you waited for. I remember when I was younger, I wondered what I'd find. I watched the world keep moving on... And now I know what was mine. I spent my whole life searching For what was meant to be... And found the person I was looking for Was always there in me.