# Thirty Five Years (Lyrics by Patrick Aquilone) (From the poem 25 by Patrick Aquilone) *(intrumental intro)* ## VERSE 1 (intimate, conversational, nostalgic smile) Chasing girls through computer screens Making my messages appear Early to class, sitting up front Never knowing that you were there You'd been watching from the back row As I sat there without a clue Then I turned around, you started laughing Our eyes met—And I knew. ## VERSE 2 (warm, playful storytelling) You asked when I had no money You said, “I'm paying,” I said yes Walking into that Pizza Hut With cash from dad tucked in my chest But you grabbed the check off the table Paid it just like you said you'd do Our first date, you won over me I knew I was in love with you ## CHORUS (warm gratitude, gentle lift) Thirty-five years three kids later Through every dream that didn't come true We've laughed, cried, held on together I still get to wake up with you Through every high and every low Every road God has brought us through I still love your eyes when you laugh Every day I still fall for you *(intrumental turnaround)* ## VERSE 3 (pull back, vulnerable, deeper emotion) Hearing we could not have children And God with other plans in view When my momma passed to heaven I found my strength because of you Then working hard to build our life We almost worked our love in two Had to learn to stand together Only God and grace pulled us through ## CHORUS (fuller, grateful, emotional) Thirty-five years three kids later Through every dream that didn't come true We've laughed, cried, held on together I still get to wake up with you Through every high and every low Every road God has brought us through I still love your eyes when you laugh Every day I still fall for you ## BRIDGE (intimate at first, deeply reflective, gradual emotional build) If I could do it all over Knowing every heartache and pain As long as I walked it with you I'd gladly do it all again Through every scar and every storm Hand in hand we have made it through I'd still turn around in that lab If it meant ending up with you ## FINAL CHORUS (full emotional release, powerful but warm) Thirty-five years three kids later Through every dream that didn't come true We've laughed, cried, held on together I still get to wake up with you Through every high and every low Every road God has brought us through I still love your eyes when you laugh I'll spend forever falling for you ## OUTRO (instruments fall away, intimate, tender) After Thirty-five years of us There is one thing I know is true I will forever be thankful I turned around and fell for you
