An Easter Story
An engagement set in Portland, Oregon on Easter 2021.
Sophie Christine Gates is a 29-year-old chef at a local bed and breakfast. She lost her parents when she was 17. She has had her dog, a Havanese/Poodle mix named Jasmine, for almost two years. She loves to go rollerblading and recently took up crocheting.
Richard James Pepper is a 31-year-old neurologist. Born in Boise, Idaho, he moved to Portland after finishing his residency. After settling in, he adopted his dog, a Havanese/Dachshund mix named Eden. He has had her for almost two years. In his “spare time,” he likes to go rollerblading, which is how he literally ran into Sophie.
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 Easter short story An Easter Story:
Hope - by Natasha Bedingfield
This is a beautiful song that I found by one of my favorite artists. If you have hope, it can help you get through your darkest days. This song is one of the theme songs for the female lead Sophie Gates.
Heaven Anywhere (Acoustic Version) - by Francesca Battistelli
This song was on the artist’s Christmas album, but I didn’t let that stop me from picking this song for an Easter playlist. It is Sophie’s brother Huck’s theme song.
Never Alone - by Jim Brickman with Lady Antebellum
I specifically looked for songs that I had that had a spiritual theme. This song conveys that wherever you are, you’re never alone. And for two siblings who had lost everything and briefly lost each other, this song felt beautifully perfect for this inspiration playlist.
Because He Lives - by Kristin Chenoweth
This is a beautiful song from Kristin Chenoweth’s As I Am album. After I heard it, I thought it was also beautifully perfect for this inspiration playlist.
How Great Thou Art - by Josh Turner feat. Sonya Isaacs
I knew I wanted to include this song. So I had the hard task of listening to the five or six versions I had. Once I heard Josh Turner’s baritone voice take on this song, it won.
Be Thou Near To Me - by Jim Brickman with Selah
I’ve been a Jim Brickman fan for years. When I found this song on one of the albums I had, I had to add it.
Back to God (Acoustic Version) - by Reba McEntire with Lauren Daigle
I found this song when looking at Christmas albums for another playlist. But I heard it and added it to this playlist. Beautiful song.
My Church - by Maren Morris
I love this song. It’s not really a spiritual song, but it does have church in the title. It is one of the theme songs for Sophie’s love interest Rich Pepper.
Hallelujah (Duet Version) - by Jennifer Hudson & Tori Kelly
This song has been covered by a number of artists. I have more than a dozen versions because of that fact. I picked this version (from the Sing soundtrack) because I love these two voices together.
When You Believe - by Pentatonix & Maren Morris
I had debated which version of this song to use. I picked this a cappella version because of the harmonies.
Help Us To Love - by Tori Kelly feat. The HamilTones
I’m really not sure why Tori Kelly isn’t a household name. Her voice is beautiful, which makes it so easy to include her on a number of my playlists. This beautiful song was perfect for this one.
The Bones - by Maren Morris & Hozier
This is the other theme song for Sophie’s love interest.
Marry You - by New Directions (Glee Cast)
This song appears in the short story. I can’t say anything more about it.
You Say - by Lauren Daigle
I first heard this song on the radio, since it had become a pop crossover hit. And it was one of the first songs I added to this playlist. I consider it Sophie’s other theme song. But I also think that it was the song Sophie and Rich danced to at their wedding.