Home of Country Music

In April 2007, exactly one year before your death, the three of us headed to Nashville, Tennessee.

Just us three. I was running the Country Music Half Marathon and you headed down to Cincinnati and agreed to then drive down to Nashville with me for the weekend. We checked into our 2 room Suite and ventured out into the City. Man you loved this town. The different musicans in each bar, the action, the amount of bars, shops and the restaurants. Here's you both at the first stop:

The night before the race Dad stayed back at the hotel and Mom and I went to a trendy little spot for dinner over near Vanderbilt's campus. Mom ordered a pomegranate Martini, but I couldn't drink because of the race, so I just took a sip of her fabulous cocktail...

When you saw me around mile 12, you were amazed at my energy and the fact that I was smiling. Dad was cracking up watching people faint, walk and cry in pain and then here comes my friend Jessie and I running past waving and posing for a quick picture.

Post race we headed back to the hotel for lunch and a nap....then it was time to hit the town. My friend Jessie had her family in as well so we all met out for dinner and bar hopped to various Country Music Bars. We hit them all from Cadillac Ranch to Coyote Ugly.

My beautiful Mother and I having some fun. Yes, I wore my medal out that night!

Mom got a CD signed and Dad found a Dog on a horse which he found quite comical.

What a special weekend for just the three of us to share. I don't think I could ever go back there to run that race. I want to remember that experience only with the two of you there to support me. It meant a lot that you came there with me. I would have never imagined you would be leaving me...exactly one year later.