This project started off as bits and pieces of songs here and there. Actually, it's surprising how many of these songs started off as little jingles that Katie and I would sing across the room to each other. The original lyrics were much sillier though.

Luckily, I am friends with Mitch Masterson - who is a very talented songwriter / musician / engineer. When I told him that this project was to be a gift for Katie on our wedding day, he was all in! I cannot express enough gratitude towards Mitch, because if I tried to make this album without him, it wouldn't have been half as good. So, thank you Mitch.

Here's a little background information about the inspiration for the lyrics to each song:

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CRESCENT CITY
Katie and I met at the end of 2011 and we hit it off quickly; however, we knew she would be leaving to do research in New Orleans (Crescent City) the following February. We reconnected in May of 2013 and started dating again! I didn't think she would come back in my life -- but she did!

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CEMETERY SONG
The house that Katie and I live in has a family plot in its backyard. Though we didn't actually do any of this (get drunk and write a song in the cemetery) I thought it would make for a fun song!

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RECOLLECTING
This is the only track on the album that was not written in the past six months; however I felt like the lyrics definitely fit the theme of this album (a love letter to Katie for our wedding day). This song is simply about not being consumed by the past. While it does ring a sort of serious note to this otherwise lighthearted album, I think it works because I couldn't be happier than where I am now, and where I am headed with Katie!

Also, I mention jumping in a lake. Let's pretend that I meant Chautauqua Lake!

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HIGHLAND STREET
This romp was inspired by the long winter nights where Katie was stuck indoors working on her dissertation. It offers a fun look back at a not-so-fun moment of her life. I was by her side for the whole ride.

At the beginning I yell 1-2-3-5, and although it may come off as a lame joke, this was actually Katie's address in Columbus, Ohio: 1235 Highland Street. To dig even deeper into my well of inside jokes, before the first chorus I yell "4-3-2-0 One of these days" -- 43201 is the zip code for Columbus, Ohio. #seewhatididthere ?

Also I mention caves a lot. We live on Nellies Cave Road now in Blacksburg. I can't stop making (lame) jokes.

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CHAUTAUQUA SHAKE
This is the closest I can come to writing a dance song. I'm still learning. We're getting married at Chautauqua so if you're there with us, then LETS SHAKE IT!

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I AM BECAUSE WE ARE
The title track to this album. It's pretty self explanatory - I am a better person because of what Katie and I have built together over the past two years. I love us more than myself.

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NELLIES CAVE
This is a very special song for me and Katie. I wrote the chorus while we were still living in Ohio, but after we secured a new apartment in Blacksburg: 950 Nellies Cave Road. Whenever we got nervous about the move, I would sing the chorus to her, and it made us feel better. Seriously, it's a cure-all.

Katie even joins in at the end!

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That's it -- hope you all like it!