Today's Song of the Day

Underneath Your Clothes, Shakira, 2001

Good morning, you ethereal beauty you -- thank you for coming into my life all those years ago. I'm not sure what triggered this faithful favorite to be echoing in my head this morning but I'm loving it. Nicely played, universe.

I love this song for oh so many reasons. Sure, musically speaking, it's a really good pop song but it's more than that for me. This song reminds me to not make snap judgements. It reminds me to be open-minded and to give things a chance. It reminds me that we're all more than what meets the eye. This song helped teach me that we're all the same -- vulnerable. No matter the armor we wear, we all deserve love, friends.

Way back in 2001, a friend/co-worker played Shakira's Laundry Service for me during a work road trip -- thank you, Ron. I can be brutal, friends, and my gut reaction was to laugh at him. He was so all about this "new" artist but it felt very much like he was experiencing hot girl syndrome to me. The music spoke for itself, though, and I fell in love, too. Even 24 years later, Laundry Service -- Shakira's first English-language album -- is a frequent go-to listen for me. It's so very special.

... all the things I deserve for being such a good girl, honey.

Happy Saturday!