American Girls and Boys

When I was growing up, my mom would play music by the American rock band Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers constantly. I fell in love. They were the first band I remember really loving, and they’ve continued to be my favorite band of all time.

Like many, I was a kid who grew up in the American suburbs. There are so many blessings and comforts that come with that. I am eternally grateful for how comfortable I realize we are growing up and living in America compared to so many other places I’ve visited in the world.

Nonetheless, no matter where you’re from, I believe it’s a basic human desire to feel a longing for something bigger than our current existence. I feel it’s somewhere at the core of the human being to desire more, whatever that is.

The song “American Girl” by Tom Petty verily speaks to that, particularly through the line, “After all, it was a great big world with lots of places to run to..”.

Around the time I was 15, something came alive inside of myself that said it was my deepest desire and mission in this lifetime to see the world. Over the last 20 years, I’ve currently visited 142 countries. I have to pinch myself all the time to realize the gravity of saying that. I am overwhelmingly grateful.

In a way though, it’s a blessing and a curse. I feel that when we see and experience something for ourselves firsthand, we see behind the curtain, so to speak, and life becomes much more clear.

It’s part of American culture to believe that we are the greatest country on earth. Indeed, there are many amazing things about the USA, but it is only one piece in the greater whole that makes up this incredible planet full of colorful people, cultures, and landscapes.

For me personally, the song “American Girl” is an ode to my homeland. It’s also an absolute trigger of nostalgia to my childhood. But in all simplicity, it’s really just one of my absolute favorite kick-ass rock songs of all time!😎