We were never the richest family but my mom and dad always believed in multiple mini trips throughout the year. Growing up we would always take our BIG trip in the summer to ST Louis to see everything that town had to offer. One particular winter's weekend we took an unexpected weekend trip that was most memorable because it was unpronounced unplanned and to say the least spontaneous.
At the time, I was playing varsity soccer and my mom picked me up after my Friday practice. She instructed me that we were going home, packing, and quickly leaving. Caught off guard I assumed we were running from the law but was told that dad was taking us on a weekend Nashville trip. That night we left our mundane lives in Millington to break away from the norm and enjoy a little different change of scenery.
We arrived in Nashville and stayed at he Holiday Inn there by the Nashville airport. It was winter and pre-Oprymills so there was not much to do; however, if you know of this particular hotel you are aware of its amenities. I do not think we left the Holiday Inn facility once since we arrived. We had an indoor swimming pool, jacuzzis, indoor putt-putt course, ping pong table, TV area, and each night there was a live band. This was just in the lobby area. We ate all of our meals in he hotel restaurant and simply enjoyed each other's company.
Looking back one could go to any hotel in Memphis and enjoy a similar getaway, but the reality of that weekend is that it was different and unexpected. Years later, on my wedding day, my dad gave me a solid piece of advice and key to a happy marriage and family. He simply reminded me to take little trips spontaneous or not to keep things alive, to break away from the routine and fall in love with your spouse and family all over again. I was reminded of our little Nashville trip and realized my mom and dad were doing just that.
-Steve Childress
Monday, February 22, 2010
The Proposal
This past week my little brother proposed to his girlfriend. In typical Childress fashion, he pulled out the stops and it made for a grand unforgettable proposal. I was reminded of my proposal to my wife and the events leading up to the event.
Shannon and I had only been dating for 9 months but we had known eachother for several years from church. I had and still today a great relationship with my soon to be in-laws. I wanted to respect them therefore asked for thief permission first. I had rehearsed how I was going to ask them over and over in my head; however, the question came out quite different. In fact, it was not a question at all. I set them both down and meaning to ask them I flat out told them I was proposing to their daughter soon. Although I botched the question, they of course were thrilled.
The big night had arrived, the plans were in place, the key people had been contacted, and of course the ring had been purchased. I picked Shannon up and although I was playing it cool I could tell she was a little nervous more than usual. We had dinner at Gordon Birsch restaurant downtown and them proceeded over to the Peabody Hotel. She was still extremely nervous and I could not figure out why unless she had been tipped off, but who in their right mind would do such a thing.
Despite the nerves, I had convinced her to go up to the roof of the Peabody with me. I know you are thinking I proposed on the roof which everyone seems to do but you are wrong. We took a left out of the elevators and into the great ballroom. It was dark and unoccupied like I had hoped and in the middle of the dance floor was a circle of lit candles. If you know my wife she is a "rule follower" and cringes when rules are broken. She knew that we were not supposed to be in there much less have a bonfire in the middle of the dance floor so getting her to move towards that direction was a challenge. Needless to say, she knew what was coming and we shared a dance in the middle of the circle of candles while a good friend of mine serenaded us with our song "Unforgettable.” That moment I dropped a knee and proposed.
We left downtown and headed towards the Wolfchase area. Shannon was calling all of her family including her sister from Nashville and was frustrated that she could not reach anyone. We went to Barnes N Nobel to "pick up a book.” There in the cafe set all of her family, and mine including her sister from Nashville. It was an unforgettable proposal and one I am quite proud of. When Shannon was finally asked why she was so nervous the entire night, she simply responded "I saw the ring box in your pocket when you picked me up.” Good grief! I love that woman.
-Steve Childress
Shannon and I had only been dating for 9 months but we had known eachother for several years from church. I had and still today a great relationship with my soon to be in-laws. I wanted to respect them therefore asked for thief permission first. I had rehearsed how I was going to ask them over and over in my head; however, the question came out quite different. In fact, it was not a question at all. I set them both down and meaning to ask them I flat out told them I was proposing to their daughter soon. Although I botched the question, they of course were thrilled.
The big night had arrived, the plans were in place, the key people had been contacted, and of course the ring had been purchased. I picked Shannon up and although I was playing it cool I could tell she was a little nervous more than usual. We had dinner at Gordon Birsch restaurant downtown and them proceeded over to the Peabody Hotel. She was still extremely nervous and I could not figure out why unless she had been tipped off, but who in their right mind would do such a thing.
Despite the nerves, I had convinced her to go up to the roof of the Peabody with me. I know you are thinking I proposed on the roof which everyone seems to do but you are wrong. We took a left out of the elevators and into the great ballroom. It was dark and unoccupied like I had hoped and in the middle of the dance floor was a circle of lit candles. If you know my wife she is a "rule follower" and cringes when rules are broken. She knew that we were not supposed to be in there much less have a bonfire in the middle of the dance floor so getting her to move towards that direction was a challenge. Needless to say, she knew what was coming and we shared a dance in the middle of the circle of candles while a good friend of mine serenaded us with our song "Unforgettable.” That moment I dropped a knee and proposed.
We left downtown and headed towards the Wolfchase area. Shannon was calling all of her family including her sister from Nashville and was frustrated that she could not reach anyone. We went to Barnes N Nobel to "pick up a book.” There in the cafe set all of her family, and mine including her sister from Nashville. It was an unforgettable proposal and one I am quite proud of. When Shannon was finally asked why she was so nervous the entire night, she simply responded "I saw the ring box in your pocket when you picked me up.” Good grief! I love that woman.
-Steve Childress
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Would you be my Sweetheart?
Oh Valentine's Day. Aside from my mom, my first valentine sweetheart was Nicole Webber. Nicole and I first met in Ms. Becky's kindergarten class at Lucy Elementary. New to the whole "exchange of valentines" I was a little skeptical on how the whole thing worked. I remember giving her the most romantic He-Man Valentine in the box attached to a box of the hard candied hearts. I in return received a Rainbow Bright Valentine from her.
As we all got older, Valentine's Day became another class party that would break up our monotonous week of school. We would all decorate little brown paper lunch bags into mini mailboxes so that on that February 14th day we would have a class exchange of cards. I remember one year in 6th grade I liked this girl named Meredith, so the week of Valentines I wrote her a "Secret Admirer" love letter. I watched her read it and show all of her little girl friends. They all giggled as little girls do and even though she had no idea it was me who wrote the letter I felt 10ft tall and bullet proof, because I saw the excitement in her eyes. This story turned south immediately when Meredith decided to share the love letter with our teacher who immediately recognized the handwriting. I did not get my Valentine that year, but the pursuit was fun while it lasted.
As I got older, I became a little more knowledgeable of this obligated holiday where the man can either come out a hero or a joke. I have learned to shed the He-Man cards in exchange for roses and gifts. As a man I have learned there are certain rules you abide by on this "Day of Love.”
1) Do not under estimate the power of Valentines Day. Imagine your spouse/girlfriend
seeing all of her friends get candy, bears, flowers, whatever and you fail to
get her anything. Not good.
2) Make reservations! I forgot to make Valentine’s reservations once and we ended up
going to Chucky Cheese playing ski ball and watching the rat sing. Although it was
memorable, it definitely was not impressive.
3) If your spouse/girlfriend doesn't typically play with cute little stuffed
animals, she will not on this particular day either.
4) If all else fails..... volunteer to watch the "Notebook.”
Happy Valentine's Day!
-Steve Childress
As we all got older, Valentine's Day became another class party that would break up our monotonous week of school. We would all decorate little brown paper lunch bags into mini mailboxes so that on that February 14th day we would have a class exchange of cards. I remember one year in 6th grade I liked this girl named Meredith, so the week of Valentines I wrote her a "Secret Admirer" love letter. I watched her read it and show all of her little girl friends. They all giggled as little girls do and even though she had no idea it was me who wrote the letter I felt 10ft tall and bullet proof, because I saw the excitement in her eyes. This story turned south immediately when Meredith decided to share the love letter with our teacher who immediately recognized the handwriting. I did not get my Valentine that year, but the pursuit was fun while it lasted.
As I got older, I became a little more knowledgeable of this obligated holiday where the man can either come out a hero or a joke. I have learned to shed the He-Man cards in exchange for roses and gifts. As a man I have learned there are certain rules you abide by on this "Day of Love.”
1) Do not under estimate the power of Valentines Day. Imagine your spouse/girlfriend
seeing all of her friends get candy, bears, flowers, whatever and you fail to
get her anything. Not good.
2) Make reservations! I forgot to make Valentine’s reservations once and we ended up
going to Chucky Cheese playing ski ball and watching the rat sing. Although it was
memorable, it definitely was not impressive.
3) If your spouse/girlfriend doesn't typically play with cute little stuffed
animals, she will not on this particular day either.
4) If all else fails..... volunteer to watch the "Notebook.”
Happy Valentine's Day!
-Steve Childress
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