The Way It Was Supposed to Be

Unanswered prayers, faithful distance, and the grace to keep a promise.

New Single – Out December 19, 2025

Lyrics by Dane DeValcourt · Music by Suno AI

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Links go live on December 19, 2025.

About the Song

“The Way It Was Supposed to Be” reflects on a kind of love that never needed to be tested to be real. It’s about choosing restraint over desire, and recognizing when care means stepping back instead of leaning in.

Houston was the first real chance he had to start something with her. She was single. The door was open. But standing in that moment, he knew himself well enough to know he wasn’t ready to be what she deserved. He carried too much unfinished weight, too many sharp edges, and the last thing he wanted was to be another chapter that taught her how to hurt.

So nothing happened. On purpose. He kept it a friendship, even as it slowly faded with distance and time. What never faded was the love, not the kind that asks for something back, but the kind that stays intact because it was never put in a position to break.

This song isn’t about regret. It’s about gratitude. About being able to remember someone exactly as they were, untouched by disappointment or damage. She never did anything to lose that light.

There are quiet nods to the artists who raised this writer; Randy Travis, George Strait, and Garth Brooks. You’ll hear their fingerprints in the “love without end” promise, the songs heard on a wide-open Texas drive, and even the gratitude of an “unanswered prayer.” “The Way It Was Supposed to Be” is meant as an homage to those storytellers, weaving their song titles into a modern confession about the cost of keeping faith.

Lyrics

The Way It Was Supposed to Be We were always just friends, ran a little too close You were somebody else's, I already knew that road I crossed my heart every time I felt that line Loved you like a secret, never called it mine You’d talk about your worries, those baby blues of yours I’d listen like a friend does, not askin’ for more It wasn’t loud or reckless, never tried to pretend Just a love without end, amen Then Houston came callin, said you might be there I was way out in Seattle, didn’t think, just cared Thirty-six hours drivin’, head full of songs Somewhere on that highway I figured out what was wrong I knew you were too good, I knew myself back then I wasn’t meant to be your might-have-been Call it a fool-hearted memory, that night But it led us both to better lives I had my chance, I let it go Time showed me what it meant Some loves are only meant to stay As unanswered prayers I wouldn’t change a single step I’m thankful for the dance we shared That summer still shows up from time to time Like an old song playin’ just fine I see the life you built, the love you found I’m glad we followed where that road wound I took my time learnin’ to live again Found my own joy, my own end Different paths, same grace Same smile on a different face So if you ever wonder why it stayed just friends Know it wasn’t fear, it was faith back then Yeah, I crossed my heart, did the best I can And I’m thankful for how it all began