Depending on whom you read and really believe, the conventional wisdom is to avoid personal posts on a blog or site where you’re trying to do business. Well, I personally think that’s a bunch ‘o bull! Ok, so maybe a post about my most recent visit to the doctor may be a little over the top, but I think you’ll agree that today’s topic is not and at least a little post worthy. If not, sorry, catch my next post!

My Bride and me a few years ago!

Way way back in 1991, back in the days of Prodigy and CompuServe, I was but a lowly key banger, pounding out job cost accounting software on my 286-12MHz PC over a 1MB network (see, there’s some geeky stuff for ya!). At the same time, at the same company, there was this real cutie working in HR. It didn’t take long for us to start going out and before you know it, its kind of a steady thing.

We were both going to school at night and in her Western Civ class, the instructor offered five extra points if you visited the replica of the Parthenon in Nashville. Being the conscientious student she was, we planned a quick trip up to Nashville one sunny November Saturday. Well, that’s what I planned… she had other plans!

I was quite irritated leaving the Parthenon. See, we had made the two’ish hour drive up there, then spent a grand total of (what felt like) about 10 minutes inside. And of course, because it’s in the south, there was a Civil War museum in the lobby… but no, didn’t get a chance to see that either!

So we’re back in the car thirty minutes after arriving and I’m mad and I say, “Well, ok… NOW what do you want to do?” Much to my surprise… and mood improving delight… she suggested we head over to Gatlinburg for the rest of the weekend. After finding out that there were appropriate supplies in the trunk, how could I resist.

The whole plan was working out perfectly for her, at least untill we started approaching Knoxville. See, Knoxville is the home of the University of Tennessee… and Gatlinburg is right outside Knoxville… and it was homecoming weekend for the UT… and there were no hotel rooms anywhere around, including Gatlinburg! Ok, so maybe that’s a little bit of an over-dramatic characterization because we did find a room, but its still fun 18 years later to remind her of that detail!

After we found the room is when she sprang the real surprise on me. This weekend wasn’t about extra credit, or even a get away weekend. She had gotten me to the mountains of Tennessee to marry me! Well… OK!

We wound up getting married in Sevierville, Tennessee… at the courthouse… by the court chaplin, who by the way, reminded me of Mr. Magoo. He asked us how formal we wanted the ceremony to be and neither of us cared, so he looked at her and said, “Do you?” She said, “I do.” Then he looked at me and said, “What about you?” I said, “Yeah, I do.” Then he said, “OK, you are.” And looked back down at the desk to sign the paperwork.

Its a fun story to tell and so far at least, one I don’t get tired of telling. All that happened 18 years ago today, and I can remember it all like it was yesterday. To be sure, we’ve had our challenges and big bumps in the road, but they are a part of our story just like the beginning is a part.

So thank you for hanging in there with me. This certainly isn’t the typical post for jtrigsby.com, but it is a pretty important one for me. Thanks for your continued support!

Thanks are also due our families, and kids for being a big, (usually) supportive part of what has gotten us here!

But most of all, thanks to my Bride, the one who’s put up with me through the last eighteen years and is still hanging around. I hope someday I can live up to the investment she’s made in me! I love ya honey, happy anniversary!

@jtrigsby

PS – I guess I’ve started rubbing off on her after 18 years… she’s starting her own blog over at CulinaryClique.com. Stop by over there and say hi!

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