I recently had the honour of spending a couple of hours with Olivia. As the sun was setting, we talked about life, love, our insecurities, and what it's like to be living in a house while it's being remodeled. In order for my readers to be able to better connect and see a glimpse of who Olivia is on the inside, I also had her answer a few questions. Enjoy!
Esther: If you could bring one musician back from the dead, who would it be and why?
Olivia: Keith Green. I don't know much about him, but the few songs I have heard that he wrote in his short, 28 years of life revolutionized the Christian music scene in the 1970s and 80s, and they're still impacting people today. His life was honest before people. He wasn't ashamed of Jesus, and it was apparent in the songs he wrote. I wish his wife would have been able to spend more time with him.
Esther: If you could live in a book, TV show, or movie, what would it be?
Olivia: I would 100% live in Stars Hollow, Connecticut, where the beloved and revered Rory and Lorelai Gilmore live. I like to think that we could all be best friends, and share a love for massive amounts of take-out Chinese and junk food.
Esther: If you could live forever, how would you spend eternity?
Olivia: I would probably spend eternity hugging all of the kids in the world that don't get held or told that they are loved. I think I'd just hug orphaned babies all the time. I think I'd also spend a lot of time writing love songs to the Lord and to people. I'd probably vacation in France, the Canadian Rockies, and Hawaii on a regular basis.
Esther: How do you want to be remembered?
Olivia: This questions actually makes me want to cry, it's so important! I'd like to be remembered as someone who didn't do what other people expected of her, but as someone who lived a life 100% surrendered to God. I want to be remembered as a generous and dependable person. I want to be remembered as fearless, and joyful.
Esther: In what ways are you a leader? In what ways are you a follower?
Olivia: Having three younger sisters, I think I've grown up with a very heightened maternal instinct. I don't like to see people sitting alone, or bullied. I like to teach, protect and comfort people who don't know how to fend for themselves, and in that way, I think I am a leader. I think I'm a follower in the sense that I'm eager to learn new things from new people. I think I'm easily able to admit when I can't do something, and I'm happy to let someone else take the lead. AKA, my husband does most of the cooking our kitchen.
Esther: What was your dream job growing up?
Olivia: It was honestly a toss-up between becoming a pediatrician and a Disney Princess actress in Disney World.
Esther: Why did you choose your profession?
Olivia: I'm currently employed at the church my father pastors in Chesapeake, VA as Worship/Music Director. I think I would be happy writing music and leading people into the presence of God for the rest of my life. As a young kid, I always loved to sing, and I realized at a young age that music and singing is a massive door-opener of introducing Jesus to people. Music has always been a way that I express my thoughts towards God, and God's heart towards people. It's a never-ending discovery. I love the God-given gift we have as humans to create things. I think that's why I went to school for a Fine Arts degree in Studio Art.
Esther: What's your greatest achievement and how has it shaped you?
Olivia: My greatest achievement? Probably getting married. The world of dating is not for the faint of heart, and when you find one worth keeping, you'd better keep him! Being married is one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life thus far. To be able to continually look at someone and say, "I choose to love you for the rest of my life, whether it's easy or hard," is a major achievement in my eyes. My relationship with my husband has positively shaped me in ways that I don't think any other relationship would ever be able to.
Esther: If you could master one skill you don't have right now, what would it be?
Olivia: Ballet. I took dance lessons from the age of 4 to 12, and I seriously regret telling my mom I didn't want to dance anymore. I'm also determined to one day master the skill of shredding on the electric guitar.
Esther: What is "home" to you?
Olivia: Geographically speaking, my home will always be Chesapeake, VA. It's where I grew up, and where my 2 little sisters and parents still live. Philosophically speaking, I think "home" is wherever you feel like you're the most accepted, the most known, and the most comfortable to be yourself.
Esther: What's the best concert you've ever been to?
Olivia: If you had asked me this question 2 months ago, I would have said Mutemath and Eisley in 2008 at the NorVA. But 2 months ago I saw Taylor Swift on her 1989 tour in DC with my best friend. Shamelessly, I think that's the new winner for me.
Esther: How do you define love?
Olivia: I would define love as more of a choice than a feeling. Love is a powerful force that can change things in an instant, and drive away the darkest fears. It's the answer to a lot of the world's problems. It's absolutely real and tangible, but at the same time super mysterious. God is love. And I love that.