When I first heard the news of Prince’s passing, I immediately thought of my mom. She was a diehard Prince fan who stumbled upon him when she was nineteen. My mother listened to Prince ever since then, even continuing 14 years later when I was born.

While she had listened to him in adulthood, I grew up with Prince. I remember when I discovered that Prince was Minnesotan, that he basically put First Avenue on the map in Minneapolis, I was so proud of my state and so proud to be a part of the place that he was in.

Prince was his own special person. He was 5 feet 2 inches of pure, unadulterated style. His swagger down the stage from any concert venue he ever played exuded power and confidence. and it did for good reason.

Prince played at least 27 instruments and could extend his voice from the high falsetto he’s known for, to a deep baritone in an instant. He wrote music for several other famous people, supported women in his bands, and he stood up for artists that he believed should get paid. Prince did not just deserve his recognition and confidence, he earned it too, which not all artists can say.

Minnesota’s response was huge. Minneapolis was painted purple in honor of Prince’s favorite color. First Avenue hosted huge dance parties throughout the weekend, Target Field showed “Purple Rain” on the big screen, and there was even a mural painted in his honor. The Current radio station played just Prince music for days. Prince’s birth place stood together for the man that inspired so many people to change their views of music and of life in general.

Prince’s death rocked not just Minnesota but the entire musical world too. It was so unexpected because he was only 57 years old when he passed. He was not known for doing drugs or abusing alcohol or anything. All in all, Prince was known for being a stand-up man. I think that’s why it was so painful when we learned that it was true. Prince became a leader in the music world, influencing countless other musicians to come after him, not only for his talent, but for being a role model celebrity too.

Overall, I think what hurt the most about Prince’s death was that it didn’t feel like he was done yet. With David Bowie, it was different. He put out an album days before he died and he was fairly old. Prince was 57. It was like a book that ended way too abruptly.  Prince still had another chapter to show the world before giving his final bow and leaving us.

As I sit here writing this, I’m starting to get a little choked up. Prince meant so much to Minnesota and to my family. Without him, music wouldn’t have been the same.

“Dearly beloved, we have gathered here today to get through this thing called life,” he said in Nothing Compares 2 U. And now we have to get through this thing called life without him. Rest in peace, sweet Prince. You never left us and we’ll never leave you.