She Stayed

(album: All I've Ever Known - 2023)

Wish I could tell you that I met her back in grade school
'Cause a couple extra years would have been cool
But we met slinging drinks at a dive bar down on central street
When I was 23 and had growing up to do

And we'd toss back beers under neon lights
And talk about what we want in life
But my dreams were calling and I knew I had to leave

And she stayed
On the phone when I'm missing home
In the front row of my shows
Singing every word to every song I wrote
She stayed
Strong when I was weak
Up all night to comfort me
When everyone around me changed
She stayed the same
When every boy who ever loved me walked away
She stayed

She zipped up my dress, put on my shoes, stood next to me when I said I do
That summer day in 2022
We all raised glass and she gave a speech, full of drunken stories of a younger me
And we never knew that night would end so soon

But when my fairytale went up in smoke
I packed up the only life I've known
And I told her I'm afraid to be alone

And she stayed
On the phone when I'm missing home
In the front row of my shows
Singing every word to every song I wrote
She stayed
Strong when I was weak
Up all night to comfort me
When everyone around me changed
She stayed the same
When every boy who ever loved me walked away
She stayed
She stayed

Everyone enters your life for a reason
Some change with the seasons
Blow away with the wind
I looked around when the leaves turned
When I thought every bridge burned
She pulled me out the rubble again
My best friend
She stayed
She stayed
Ohhhh...

On the phone when I'm missing home
In the front row of my shows
Singing every word to every song I wrote
Strong when I was weak
Up all night to comfort me
When everyone around me changed
She stayed the same
When every boy who ever loved me walked away
Oh I thank the Good Lord every single day
That she stayed