Nadia Lopez

Educator, Activist, and Author  ・@TheLopezEffect

Photo Courtesy of Nadia Lopez

All Hail the Queen,

What an honor to celebrate such a magnificent human being who embodies grace and a powerful presence that can’t be duplicated. For decades, your albums have become the soundtrack to my life’s journey. Whether it was the good, bad, or super ugly, you captured the joy and pain I had to endure.

In 2007, three years after my ex-husband abandoned our family, he showed up out of nowhere wanting to rekindle a love lost because of his indiscretions and failure to step up as a man. He came back apologetic, promising he had become a better husband and father after living his best life, while I was struggling to raise our daughter. But what he didn’t know was that your album Growing Pains gave me the courage and strength to stop waiting for him to get it together. Instead, I packed my bags, loaded the car, headed to Atlanta, filed for divorce, and began rebuilding my life. 

I had three copies of this CD: one in my car, one in my house, and one on my computer. “Just Fine'' became my anthem and I sang my heart out every single day I played it.

I AIN’T GONE LET NOTHING GET IN MY WAY

[I AIN’T GONNA LET NOBODY BRING ME DOWN] NO MATTER WHAT NOBODY HAS TO SAY

I AIN’T GONE LET NOBODY STAND IN MY WAY…

I didn’t care how much my voice cracked, all I know is that song gave me life and I was singing it from the depths of my soul.

You were my therapist, Mary, guiding me to the answers I needed to hear. You are truly a legend.

Enjoy your golden year!

With love and admiration,

Dr. Nadia Lopez