you took my heavy heart and made it light.

have you ever had someone ask you one of those really annoying questions? like, the what would you take on a desert island type questions? they're so difficult to answer, and i usually think of something brilliant to say...five minutes after i've responded.

but, if someone were to ever ask me about my favorite album ever, i'd be able to answer pretty easily, because this one changed my life.

i was in my senior year of high school, and it was november...also known as, my least favorite month of the year. and i was all preoccupied over unrequited love and the like.  and...i was--am--a diehard relient k fan.

i went to our christian bookstore a day before mmhmm came out (to preorder it, because they were offering a special discount!), when the cashiers looked at me in confusion.  they weren't sure what album i was talking about (this is before everybody and their brother became bandwagon fans).  they went back into the stockroom, and emerged with the glorious, shiny, beckoning copy that would soon play repeatedly in my CD player.  i tried repeatedly to explain that this album was not to be released until the next day, but they assured me it was already out. i purchased my album for the discounted price and spent the next month...year...five years...in happiness which is definitely partially a result of this album, which i would argue is their best.

it's honest. it's real. it was good for my teenage angst. and tracks like "life after death and taxes," "i so hate consequences," "who i am hates who i've been," and "let it all out," taught me a lot about life, and myself, and God.

it was and is my favorite. i'm still a little bit--or a lot--in love with matt thiessan. and, on my angry girl days, "which to bury, us or the hatchet?" does make me feel better :)