the story by
jade lundgren

It was a typical Friday night in our house. Dane was working a late shift, and Pearl and Anna had plans with friends. Lucia and I settled in to watch a movie together, a tradition we've cherished over the years. Lucia is now a junior in high school. We both love staying in, getting cozy in our jammies, preparing a tray of snacks, and watching some type of heartfelt show together. It's simple, but it brings us immense joy.

The following morning, while the house was still asleep, I opened my journal to jot down my thoughts, something I attempt to do every day. My journal is one place where I connect with God and reflect on my life. I found myself thinking about the previous night spent with Lucia, and it dawned on me how different things would be when she goes off to college. The realization hit me anew that morning.

My other daughters thrive outside the home, immersed in activities, and aren't as keen on quiet Friday nights with me. That's okay—it's just not their style. They take after my husband Dane, who enjoys being out and about. Lucia and I just naturally move at the same pace in life and end up buddying up a lot. It’s always been like that.

As I wrote in my journal, tears welled up in my eyes. "I'm going to miss her like crazy," I wrote. "I feel the temperature changing." I often express my emotions through poetry, and my inner musician automatically turns my words into melodies. That morning, I sat at the piano and crafted a verse and chorus. Over the next few days, I refined it, pouring my heart into every word. When I shared the song with Lucia, we both ended up in tears.

We sense the impending change. Lucia is graduating from high school and will be leaving our home for the first time. It's a wonderful change in every sense, but it's bittersweet. Like many things in life, grief mingles with joy during transitions. I will deeply miss her presence in our home—the sound of her voice, her lively descriptions of her day, the way she hurriedly walks in the morning preparing for school, the aroma of her weekend baking. I'll miss hugging her daily, cuddling with her at night, and sharing those simple, cherished moments together. Her everyday presence will be greatly missed; just reflecting on it brings tears to my eyes.

I recently heard someone mention "the gospel of positivity" infiltrating Christianity, where people emphasize speaking only positive things. I question how this perspective aligns with Jesus, who experienced deep emotions, wept, and endured the cross, understanding and collecting our tears. For me, fully feeling and processing emotions is vital. There's a lot of sadness in this world, and it's okay to acknowledge and write about it. God welcomes our raw emotions. He draws close to the brokenhearted, inviting us to process everything with Him. He's kind and meets us in every situation, guiding us through life's challenges.

I want to highlight a particular lyric that holds deep meaning for me: "Life's busy then it's quiet again." Different life seasons often catch me off guard when they turn quiet. When I became a stay-at-home mom, life was loud with a crying baby but quiet in profound ways. I had fewer adult interactions, missing the camaraderie of coworkers.

Moving across the country also brought a quiet phase, with fewer friends and social activities. I've struggled during these transitions, always seeking connection and my place in the world. Busyness can sometimes mask deeper issues, making everything seem okay.

But the reality is that many things in this world are not okay, and that's where the gospel begins. It acknowledges the brokenness—the loss of loved ones, untimely deaths, and the sorrow that permeates every joy. The good news addresses the bad news, promising that one day, everything will be made right. There will be no more goodbyes in heaven, which is one of my favorite things about it.

My friend Cliff Preston, a fellow musician from The Band Table, helped me finish this song. Cliff, who lost his father, brought authenticity to the lyrics, articulating the pain of missing someone dearly. We wanted this song to resonate with anyone experiencing loss.

As we journey toward Heaven, where tears and sorrow will vanish, songs like "Miss You Like Crazy" help us process earthly challenges. They remind us that it's okay to pause, feel our emotions, and know that we're not alone in missing someone or something.

Miss You Like Crazy Lyric Video

MISS YOU LIKE CRAZY lyrics

Verse 1
When I look at you
There's something 'bout the way
Your eyes hold our history
And though I'm thankful too
Is it wrong to say
That this happened
Way too fast for me
How can someone take it in
Life's busy then it's quiet again
Do you prepare or just let go
Because I know I know

Chorus
I'm gonna miss you like crazy
I feel the temperature changing
This went at the speed of light
And I know that we can't stop time
Will the memories break
My heart or save me
I'm gonna miss you
I'm gonna miss you like crazy

Verse 2
Like the sun and moon
Just too far away
What if I forget your ways
If I could I'd choose
To go relive a day
And try to memorize your face
Must I just pretend again
Or learn a whole new way to live
As the times they ebb and flow
Oh I know I know

Bridge
I won't hold you back
I'll see you down the path
I'll hold on to the joy
I'll smile at what we had
With every photograph
The grateful kind of sad
If it weren't for all the good
It wouldn't hurt this bad
I just know I know

Tag 2
Every time Oh
I'm gonna miss you
I'm gonna miss you like crazy

CREDITS:

writers: jade lundgren, cliff preston

Producers: Jordan Merritt, Kaleb Frazier, Zach Saltmarsh

mixed by daniel johnson

mastered by joe causey at voyager mastering

jade lundgren Bio

Jade Lundgren is a deep well of an artist, passionate about all things creative, specifically singing, songwriting, and design. Rooted in her hometown, Jade is proud to be from Pittsburgh PA, where she and her husband have raised their three beautiful daughters. With an M.A. in Spiritual Formation from Wheaton College, and a love for theology, Jade can often be found reading books, studying, or quoting an early church father.

Her strong desire to know and teach the word of God well comes out in her songwriting. Currently a pastor at her local church, Jade has been leading worship for many years and started writing with Jennie Lee Riddle and the People & Songs family in 2012. In 2013, Jennie and Jade formed The Emerging Sound, where they collaborated with such artists as Micah Tyler, Lauren Daigle, Charity Gayle, and many others to pour into the next generation of songwriters. Jade is honored to be a part of the People & Songs team and The Band Table with fellow artists Jordan Merritt, Jonathan Lee McElhenney, and Cliff Preston.

“The crown jewel of my life is Jesus. He’s the high point, the whole point, and the most noteworthy thing about me. He interrupted the course of my normal teenage life, and at 16, opened my eyes to my need for a Savior and gave me the grace and courage to leave my normal life behind and follow Him. It’s the best thing that ever happened to me, and I have happily dedicated my life to loving and serving God however He sees fit.”

presenting jade lundgren “miss you like crazy”

the story by jade lundgren