Once upon a time, I set out on a cruise. You can read all about that story, and what happened On the Boat, here.

After I the woman I spoke of in that post, I found a somewhat strange day (Day 3) where we seemed to keep missing opportunities to spend time together, just by small margins. I thought, “Well, that's that. She's not into spending more time together and must be avoiding me, now.” After all, my experience is that a near miss may be coincidence but repeated near misses… that's an orchestrated situation.

I sat down with the thought that we'd shared a great day (Day 2) together, and that this one wouldn't be so easy to let go. I got a small chance to see what a relationship might look like, for us. It was just a taste but following that up… Well, that feeling I felt - the one I hadn't felt in a long time - that wouldn't be one I could chase away so easily. Sitting on the ship, looking out over the ocean, a few thoughts crossed my mind:

• Losing the potential we had together is going to be a “hangover” like I haven't felt in a while
• I don't think I'll ever forget this trip and the woman I met
• I wish I could have more that just this small taste of what this relationship could be
• After her, my bar for what a relationship should be was going to be so much higher and harder to reach

And I strung these thoughts together with a little flair and some good, old fashioned, poetic tone:

"Well, it's a hangover like nobody told you and there ain't no way through
And I don't get how I could ever forget you and, baby, that's the truth
Well, you gave me a taste now ain't nothing could chase a shot as strong as you"

The rest sort of just fell into place and “Strong as You” was born! Even though the relationship came and went, I still hold this song, everything that led to it, and everything that came after it, close to my heart. I hope you enjoy the song as much as I enjoyed writing it and meeting the woman who became my muse for a short while!

And, PS, if this is Austin (sorry; just couldn't help the Blake Shelton reference)…
I hope you know there's still nothing that could chase a shot as Strong as You!