Happy New Year!
An engagement set in Charleston, South Carolina on New Year’s Day 2009.
Harleigh Rose Eames is the 27-year-old owner of Rooster Rose’s Gifts, a gift shop located in a touristy area of Charleston. She has been dating her boyfriend for four years and they have lived together for the last two. When she isn’t at her shop, she enjoys cooking, baking, and hosting parties. The night before, they hosted their annual New Year’s Eve party.
Sawyer Adam Davidson is a 28-year-old cyber security software developer. It was his idea for them to move in together. And it was his idea to adopt two Pomeranian/Maltese mixes, Zoey and Zia, in December 2008. It was also his idea to finally pop the question at their New Year’s Eve party the night before. But the ring went missing before he could.
Music helps set the mood while I write. That is why the inspiration playlists play such a vital role in my writing process. These are the songs that inspired the New Year’s Day short story Happy New Year!:
Auld Lang Syne - by Lea Michele
Every New Year’s Eve show I’ve watched on TV always plays some version of this right after midnight. So I had to start this new year with one of the versions I had.
Didn't You Know How Much I Loved You - by Kellie Pickler
This is one of Harleigh’s theme songs. It represents her frustration of being with Sawyer for four years and still not having a ring.
Alright - by Darius Rucker
This is one of Sawyer’s theme songs. It represents his more easy-going attitude toward things compared to Harleigh’s high-strung attitude.
New Year - by Kate York
I looked to see what other songs I had with New Year in the title.
Come Monday - by Kenny Chesney
A number of the songs on this playlist represent the family and friends that were at the New Year’s Eve party as Harleigh and Sawyer try to figure out what happened to the ring so he can properly propose. This was the first dance for their friends Shira and Aaron.
A Kiss To Build A Dream On - by Rod Stewart
This was the first dance for their friends Ziva and George.
New Year’s Day - by Taylor Swift
This was my favorite song from Taylor’s reputation album.
Come A Little Closer - by Dierks Bentley
This was the first dance for Harleigh’s brother and sister-in-law, Dillon & Daisy.
You Can’t Hide Beautiful - by Aaron Lines
This was the first dance for Sawyer’s brother and sister-in-law, Tucker & Lily.
Something Like You - by 'N Sync
This was the first dance for Harleigh’s sister and brother-in-law, Caleigh & Ace.
Maybe Baby (New Year's Day) - by Sugarland
I picked this song because it had New Year’s Day in the title.
Don't You Know You're Beautiful - by Kellie Pickler
This is Harleigh’s other theme song.
History In The Making - by Darius Rucker
This is Sawyer’s other theme song. It is also the song that Harleigh and Sawyer dance to at their wedding.
Brand New Year (My Revolution) - by SHeDAISY
Before I picked any other song, I wanted this song to close out the playlist.