What song reminds you of your first love?

When I think about my first love, If I Had $1,000,000 by Barenaked Ladies instantly comes to mind. It was one of the first songs my high school best friend — who later became my girlfriend, then partner, then wife — and I really bonded over when we first started dating seriously. It even ended up on the very first mix CD I ever made for her, packed with songs that made me think of her or just made me smile.

We used to drive around, playing it on repeat, laughing and daydreaming about all the things we'd do if we ever actually had a million dollars. It wasn't even about the money; it was about imagining a future together, full of possibility and inside jokes only we understood.

Although we're divorced now (it's been about ten years), we've stayed close friends, even as life has taken us in different directions. Every time this song comes on, it immediately takes me back to those long drives, that feeling of love and dreams. It always brings a tear to my eye — not out of sadness, but gratitude for a time and a person who helped shape who I am.