Different people measure time in different ways. Birthdays, milestones, relationships, jobs etc. For me, over the past several years, time is measured by Spotify playlists. Each playlist of mine is a time capsule that holds memories stirred by each song that comes on shuffle when I revisit it months, or even years later. Music is beautiful and powerful in that way. Below are three songs, each from a different playlist, that bring back only the happiest memories.

“Three Weeks” is off a playlists from my senior year of college–a very happy time, this song reminds me of an impromptu road trip taken to go see this band at a movie theater on the border of VA and NC and watching the group pour out Fireball shots at the concession stand during intermission.

“Never Stay Around” is from a playlist I made in the summer right after graduation, before xv and I had jobs. Despite my unemployment stress, I have a lot of happy memories with xv from this summer. I remember listening to this song on a day where xv and I were shaded by an old man for our presence in a McDonald’s at a time where most adults are at work. Fuck him!

“Why Should I Love You?” is a favorite from a recent playlist I made. Life is good right now (shout out groupbool 💕)