Fete Lifestyle Magazine February 2021 - Reality/Realness Issue | Page 55

I paused and became mesmerized and enraptured by how he encapsulated the essence of each artist. It was as if he made their songs even more vibrant than the first rendition.

After skimming through Andrew’s entire page of music it became evident that he was one of the most underrated artists of

our time. Andrew sang wherever and whenever he could! Whether it was downtown on a street corner or at a train stop, he was belting out chords that left me in utter awe.

His heart is literally open and aggressively vulnerable. I thought to myself, I admire that. I told myself I would be more like Andrew this next year. Raw, honest, open and fearless, I could be just like Andrew.

I must have watched his videos a dozen times each. The more and more I listened and watched I realized he was not only giving me hope, but he also made our grey city sky blue. I looked closer and thought,

wait! I know this face! I remembered many years ago Andrew would work out in front of me on the elliptical at the same gym where I started my fitness journey. He was a free spirit, dancing with a Walkman in his ears with style like I’ve never seen.

I was young (19 years old) chubby and dying to have an ounce of the confidence he had. I gazed admiringly as he danced on the elliptical as if no one were watching and yearned to have an ounce of self-belief and freedom in spirit that Andrew had. I promised myself then and there that I would dance like no one was watching and I too would feel that.

Many years later, Andrew still showcases the same freedom of movement and grace. Over a decade later watching Andrew sing reminded me of how much I have grown from that young girl with little belief in herself into a woman knowing she can achieve anything with real intent. During my hardest month I received a blessing of hope from Andrew’s voice letting me know you can always find peace in your expression of self. To keep trusting your voice and movement is a gift in a time, I needed to remember that, Andrew showed me just that.