What a fantastic ride this has been, being a fan of Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul.

I was a hopeless romantic and an admitted flirt while being very much a lady of course, from the moment I realized that I could get the attention of the cute boys.

I’d be caught up in “Day Dreaming” hoping that special one would “Call Me“. Standing in front of a mirror with a brush singing “Baby I Love You” and unafraid to let the world know that “I’m In Love.”

And those were just the teen years.

As I matured, like so many other girls I became more familiar with heartbreak. “Chain Of Fools” and “Don’t Play That Song (You Lied)” would lull me to sleep at night through the tears.

Between hormones and immaturity, yet thinking I was grown, fighting to get him to understand that “I Never Loved A Man (the Way That I Love Him)” and that there “Ain’t No Way” for me to love him if he wouldn’t let me.

I was determined to let him know that I’d gladly “Say A Little Prayer” for us, for our love.  And that without any doubt, he needed to know that I was a “Do Right Woman, Looking for a Do Right Man.”  Oh, the naivete of it all.

But when he moved away and as the days passed by, I needed him to know that “Since You’ve Been Gone“, all I could do was “Think” about him and the future we would one day have together. And I had to let him know that “Until You Come Back To Me“, I would hold on to those “Wonderful” memories of how he made me feel like “A Natural Woman.”

But as time went on and there was more evidence of less giving and more taking on his part, I had to accept the fact that he wasn’t for me and I certainly wasn’t for him. Far too many games being played and let’s be real here, “Who’s Zoomin’ Who?”

As a strong, independent woman, I needed to define and find “A Brand New Me.” So that I could eventually find my Mr. Right. Greet him and let him know that “I Knew You Were Waiting for Me.”

A man whom I could “Rock Steady” with through the best years of my life.

A Dr. Feelgood who knew the true meaning of “R-E-S-P-E-C-T” and could take me for a forever ride on the “Freeway Of Love.”

Thank you, Aretha. You and your music will always be a part of the memories of my life. Rest in peace.