Loving Anne

Invisible thread

Three weeks after Anne died, one of my favorite artists, Neil Hannon of The Divine Comedy, released a music video for a song from his upcoming album. The song, Invisible Thread, is about the bond between a father and his daughter — a connection that persists even when she leaves home, and even after he’s gone.

Given the timing, it hit me squarely in the heart, and I teared up watching it. I’ve always been an easy target for anything a bit schmaltzy; if a filmmaker or songwriter is trying to tug at the audience’s emotions, I’m usually the first one to willingly fall for it. This gorgeous mini-movie was no exception.

“This is not goodbye. There will always be an invisible thread between you and me”

Charmed life

Anne loved several of The Divine Comedy songs I’d played for her early in our relationship, including Charmed Life. That one has a little story behind it.

About a year into our relationship, we kicked around the idea of writing a movie script — or at least a treatment — just for fun. I was listening to Charmed Life a lot at the time, and Anne liked it too, so I floated a premise inspired a bit by the song.

The idea was set partly in an apartment building. A couple in their mid‑30s (our age then) wonders about one of the longtime residents — an older man who keeps to himself. One day he dies or disappears, and the couple receives a note with a key to his apartment. Inside, they piece together the extraordinary life he actually led, which sends them on their own adventure.

We never wrote it. Maybe Kate and I will take a crack at it someday.

Revisiting the lyrics recently, I realized Charmed Life is also about fatherhood. Neil wrote it when his daughter was around two, reflecting on his successes and failures and hoping she’d one day find her life was “charmed” too. That discovery gave it another layer of personal relevance.

Picture day

I’m not sure why I didn’t do this sooner, but a couple days ago I called Dorian Studio, photographers for Bryant Elementary, and asked if they had pictures of Anne. The Bryant faculty have their photos taken each year, just like the students. Dorian Studio graciously provided me with several wonderful photos. Here are four standouts. I miss my lovely wife.

I’m dedicating this post to our wonderful daughter, Kate, who carries so much of Anne in her.
Love you, Kate.