Headed off to work, I figured I would take a short detour and recycle some cardboard remnants from Christmas that were perched in the garage.  As I drove blissfully along, the radio began playing Hall and Oates’ “You Make My Dreams Come True.”  This created a perfect sing along moment.  “What I got,” well I got that special something to pull off a solo Hall and Oates sing along.

Finishing with the recycling and after the song’s completion, I began scanning the radio dial and what did I find?  Hall and Oates singing “Kiss On My List.”  Sure it isn’t as good a song to sing along with, but how often are you blessed with a Hall and Oates double header.  Blessed?  Yes, blessed, because in a strange way embracing (figure of speech, not an actual embrace) Hall and Oates is defending my age demographic.

Several years ago, we hosted some colleagues at our house for dinner.  During the course of our conversation, I made a Hall and Oates reference.  Our colleagues, who were about ten years younger than us, looked at me with confusion.  They had never heard of Daryl Hall and John Oats!  How could they not know Hall and Oates?  The band once had their record nestled in amongst my older sister’s album collection, right next to “Men at Work.”  Well, I tried to help my younger peers relate, “They were a band from the same era as ‘Air Supply.’”  Again, more blank stares.  I was not about to defend “Air Supply,” but “Hall and Oates” were different.  My younger friends were simply out of touch, not out of time (wink to clever Hall and Oates reference).  Ever since, Hall and Oates have held a special place in my middle aged heart.

Hall and Oates, those boys really need to towel off.

Arriving at work, I received two complements.  One referred to me as a “burst of energy” (in a good way) and the other “smooth” (in my resolution of a situation).  I was living life good.  I was having a Hall and Oates kind of day.

Rushing to my lunchtime Spin Class, I settled onto a bike and heard an astounding third Hall and Oates song of the day, “Maneater.”  Absolutely amazing.  As I peddled along, whistling probably to the annoyance of my fellow class members (they would not understand), I soon realized that I had “tired legs.”  The class was really going to be a struggle.  There I was sweating like a pig.  My legs hurt.  Plus, with about 15 minutes to go, I was running short on water.  That is when it struck me, I was living the Hall and Oates “H2O” album cover.  Daryl Hall would be oh so proud.

I never realized, before today, that my sister owned the alternate album cover for “H2O,” which would serve as a nice prop for an antiperspirant advertisement.

Reaching the end of class, I knew what I was going to have for lunch.  Greek yogurt (suave, like an 80s rock duo) with steel cut (wait for it) oats.  Oh, how clever Mr. Paulsen.  John Oates would certainly be proud.  I had embraced the moment and in a way, my day was being steered by the wonder of Hall and Oates.

Next I traveled to the grocery store (living the life of a real rock star).  Wandering through the produce aisles, I saw some flowers and I figured I would pick up some for my wife (very romantic, just like Hall and Oates).  That is when I saw a gorgeous out-of-season purple hyacinth.  Perfect.

Finishing my shopping, I heard the cashier say, “They smell beautiful (in reference to the potted flower).”  To which, I responded, “They smell like Spring.”  Suddenly, I realized that was a very un-Hall and Oates thing to say.  I was in danger of losing the moment.  It hung in the balance.  As she continued scanning groceries and I frantically loaded sacks of groceries, the checker looked up and asked, “Are these turnips?”  In an authoritative voice I answered, “No, they are parsnips.”  Ugh, Daryl Hall and John Oates certainly never said, “No, they are parsnips.”  Maybe Farmer Pickles of “Bob the Builder” fame would say that (yep, a clever Spud from “Bob the Builder” fame reference), but certainly never Hall and Oates.

The moment was over, but I felt so blessed.  How many people ever get to experience a “Hall and Oates Moment?”  How many never even realize that they are experiencing one?  I had indeed been blessed, in such a complete Hall and Oates kind of way.

I may never be the same…

“’Cause, I ain’t the way you found me

and I’ll never be the same, oh yeah.

Well ’cause you (ooh ooh, ooh ooh, ooh ooh)

You make (a) my dreams come true.”