When driving, I have a pretty much set rotation of albums, bands, and playlists that I listen to. When I get in the car, I usually make the decision based on my mood, combined with the weather outside, as well as whose music feels the most relatable in the moment (it’s an extensive process). Typically, I decide on artists such as Quinn XCII, Third Eye Blind, The 1975, or Wilco, just to name a few. My taste in music has grown to be incredibly vast, and while I would definitely classify alternative rock as my favorite genre, I don’t believe I stray from anything aside from country.

Usually when I decide on an artist, I cycle through all of their work before choosing a new one. Over the last week, I’ve done a decent amount of driving on my own, and I decided that this week, my artist would be One Direction. Corny, I know, but song after song, those five guys had me thinking. I studied that band like my life depended on it when I was in middle school, I had their whole lives down to a tee—both individually and as a band. I had a shrine in my bedroom, some of which is still there, I even won tickets to their 2013 concert on the radio at 6 AM, and I remember sprinting down the stairs and into the garage when Mojo from ‘Mojo in The Morning’ answered the phone so I could freak out without waking anyone up. Needless to say, listening through the entirety of their music and belting out each and every word in the car about six years later felt like an experience worthy of reflection.

I have yet to listen to their fifth and final album, but as I’ve been enjoying One Direction this past week, I’ve been thinking about who I am, and where I come from. It’s not always easy to focus on your roots, and as life progresses, it’s frighteningly easy to forget about the things that happened in your life to get you to where you are today. Many of the relationships that I regarded as the most important I’d ever have at the time I was thirteen, have since drifted to dust. Consistency in my relationships is something that I’ve noticed to be somewhat of a struggle for me, and something that I hope to work on in the coming years.

With the news of what happened in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio within the same 24 hours, obviously I am enraged. However, I also think that these tragedies emphasize the importance of sticking to your roots, and ensuring the relationships that you hold close, stay close. I encourage you to reminisce by listening to your middle school favorites, and reach out to someone today who you may not have spoken to in awhile. Ask them how they’ve been, tell them you’ve missed them, tell them you still care for them. With today’s political state, and the way we’ve become so desensitized as a country, it’s important to remember that life is short and precious.