Happy Anniversary, Kori!

In celebration of our 12^th wedding anniversary, Kori and I decided to list our 10 favorite memories with each other.  It was really fun coming up with the list, as anytime I spend reminiscing about Kori is time well spent.  Without further ado, here are my top 10 memories with Kori:

#10. The Village. In August 2004, Kori and I were staying with her parents in central Florida waiting to ship out for the Navy when Hurricane Charley came through. We went days without electricity, running water or air conditioning in the sweltering Florida August heat. It was not a fun time. We happened to come across a strip mall that inexplicably had power and a movie theater. Kori and I sat in that air conditioned theater and for two hours, letting M. Night Shyamalan help us forget about how miserable things were outside of the theater walls. I remember walking out of the theater, back into the dystopian life that was post-hurricane central Florida and thinking how grateful I was for the wonderful things in my life—with the best part being the beautiful woman walking next to me.  Nothing is as bad as it seems when you have someone you love next to you.

A shot of the damage from Hurricane Charley.

#9. Baseball Cards. When we lived in Lexington, there was a truck stop that we periodically would stop at to gas up.  Inside, they had “grab bags” of baseball cards.  It would be a pack of cards, but not in a factory sealed package.  Rather, it was simply someone who took a bunch of their old cards, separated them into 25 card stacks, put a rubber band around them, and sold them for a $1 each.  One time, Kori came out of the truck stop with a pack.  There was never anything good in those packs, so I couldn’t believe my eyes when I came across an Alan Trammell card.  Trammell was one of the best players in the game and was my all-time favorite player.   I squealed like a school girl as I showed Kori (“Look!  I got an Alan Trammell!  This is so awesome!!”)  Eventually, I turned my attention back to the remaining cards and found myself again amazed.  “Oh my gosh—there’s another Trammell card!  What are the odds?  I can’t believe this!!!”  I think after the 4^th Trammell card I realized that something was up. It turned out that Kori ordered a bunch of Alan Trammell cards from EBay then quickly inserted them into the pack.  It was an extremely thoughtful gesture.  It wasn’t even my birthday or Christmas.  Just a random thoughtful surprise and another example of the wonderful person Kori is.

#8. Disney (Sans Kids).  Kori planned a Disney World vacation for the family in 2012.  It was the kid’s first Disney experience and everyone loved it.  We rented a house for the week and various friends and family came up for a day or two at a time to stay with us--it was great.  My favorite memory from that trip was when a family friend agreed to watch the kids at the house while Kori and I went to one of the parks.  I had so much fun.  As is a traditional parents’ lament, before we had kids, Kori and I used to do all sorts of fun things. We took trips, would see movies in an actual movie theater, and we’d go to amusement parks.  So with the kids safely back at the rental house (no, we weren’t mean parents who left their kids home twiddling their thumbs while we went to Disney—the rental house had a pool and an awesome game room.  Trust us, the kids were living large) Kori and I went to Hollywood Studios and rode all the “big rides” that we had been missing out on because the kids were too small to ride.  I loved walking through the park together, standing in line holding hands, and just being “us” again.  It was as if we went back in time 10 years and I loved every second of it. 

We were having too much fun to take photos, but here's a photo of the Tower of Terror.  It's one of the rides we were able to go on since we didn't have the kids with us.  

#7. All Star Game.  I love baseball and my favorite team is the Detroit Tigers.  In 2005, the Tigers hosted the MLB All-Star Game, which happened to coincide with my 30^th birthday.  Lo and behold, Kori surprised me with a trip to Detroit.  From start to finish, we had a blast, but my favorite memory was the home run derby—it was such an awesome event.  Ivan Rodriguez (a Tiger at the time) was in the competition, and he made it all the way into the finals.  So there was already a buzz in the air.  To top it off, Bobby Abreu set a record (which still stands today) for most home runs hit.  With each successive blast, the crowed became even more frenzied.  It was so incredible—40,000 people all on their feet gasping with amazement.  With seemingly every pitch, Kori and I were giving each other high-fives and screaming, “Oh my gosh!  Did you see where that one landed?  That was incredible!!”  It truly was incredible, and it was made so much better by sharing that moment with my best friend.

#6. Snorkeling.  Kori and I went on a cruise a couple months ago.  It was a wonderful experience-- just the two of us for five days and four blissful nights in the Caribbean.  There are so many wonderful memories but the one that stands out the most was when we went snorkeling on Coco Cay in the Bahamas.  There was something so peaceful and serene about it.  We were underwater, essentially in another world.  We saw cool looking rocks and all sorts of aquatic life.  And it was eerily quiet—the only sounds being the Darth Vader-like breathing taking place with the snorkel gear.  For a while, we had an entire little cove to ourselves.  We played and splashed around like we were kids.  In an entire trip of nothing but amazing memories, those couple hours stand out as my favorite. 

#5. Dinner at Texas Roadhouse.  I’m cheating a bit here, because this isn’t a specific memory.  But when I think of my all-time favorite moments, I can’t help but think about the time spent having dinner at the Texas Roadhouse with Kori.  For sure there are restaurants with a greater emotional connection for us (The Colorado Fondue Co. where we ate on our honeymoon and our 2^nd Anniversary or the Melting Pot) but there’s something special about eating at the Texas Roadhouse.  The food is fine, and the atmosphere is fun enough.  But the thing that really sticks out is that it’s “our” place.  We can’t take the kids (there are peanuts everywhere—on the tables, on the floors, on the towel by the doors) so anytime we eat there, it’s just me and Kori.  Ever since we had kids, it’s been really hard for us to have an identity outside that of “parent.”  Seemingly everywhere we go, it’s with kids.  So it’s nice to have a place where we can go and leave “Mommy and Daddy” home and just be Kori and Thomas.  The Texas Roadhouse is that place for us.  And for that reason, it’s secured a place on this list.

#4. Carriage Ride.  In early 2010, we were living in Tennessee and Kori’s friend came and to watch the kids while Kori and I went away for the weekend.  This was our first time away from the kids.  Starting with the twins’ birth in 2007, our lives had been a constant blur.  We were essentially zombies.  The babies were still waking up throughout the night and seemingly every waking hour of our lives was devoted to either work or the babies.  So the thought of going away for an entire weekend was extremely appealing.  Because we didn’t know how the kids would react to us being away, we didn’t want to go too far away.  We decided to drive to Little Rock.  We had never been there and quite frankly, never had any inclination to go, but it was only a few hours away so like Collin Raye, we headed out to Little Rock.  We stayed at a very nice bed and breakfast (The Empress) in the heart of the city.  It turned out to be a pretty fun trip.  Unlike every other trip we’ve made, we had no agenda when we arrived.  We just picked up a tourist magazine and found things we thought would be fun.  And it was fun.  And there was really something exciting about visiting a place we had never been and knew nothing about and just going wherever the wind blew us. There were so many great memories about that trip, but for me, the best was going on a horse-drawn carriage ride through the city as the sun set.  The sounds of the city contrasted with the “clip-clop” of the horses was oddly relaxing.  We just sat back and took in the scenes and enjoyed each other’s company—something we had not done in nearly three years.  It was a wonderful experience and a treasured memory.

Unfortunately, this is not a photo of our actual carriage. 

#3. Kori Wins the Hugh H. Howell Award.  In 2013 Kori and I attended the Navy JAG Corps reserve training symposium in Norfolk, Virginia.  It’s where all of the reserve JAGs gather to discuss important issues.  It’s a pretty big event and most JAGs look forward to it each year.  One of the most anticipated events is when they hand out the Rear Admiral Hugh H. Howell Jr. Award of Excellence.  I know what you’re thinking, but no—the award has nothing to do with Gilligan’s Island. The Howell Award is given to the most outstanding JAG (Lieutenant Commander or below) for that year.  Each command nominates their top attorney and then a selection board reviews all of the packages and picks the winner. Again, it’s a pretty big deal and it’s always the most talked about event at the symposium. As they read the accomplishments of the winner (without announcing the name, of course) I thought to myself with a shrug, “Huh, what do you know?  That sounds like Kori. They could have given her the award, but of course she’ll never get it, because she doesn’t toot her own horn.  This stupid award is all about politics and who you know.   She doesn’t go around brown-nosing all of the, wait a second….oh my gosh!  It’s Kori!!  She won!!”   I have never been so proud.  It was an unbelievable accomplishment.  She was the belle of the ball that weekend. But, as it typical for Kori, she just shrugged it off.  When we got home from the symposium and she simply put the award in a box in the basement. I told her that if I had won it, I’d carry it with me everywhere I went. “Oh this thing?  It’s my Hugh Howell Award that I won…” I work with someone who is also in the JAG Corps and he still periodically mentions Kori’s Howell Award.  It’s pretty darn nice being married to someone so smart, talented, and beautiful.

#2. Dinner at the Hartness House.  In 2004, following our completion of Officer Indoctrination School in Rhode Island, Kori and I had a few days off before we had to report back for the next phase in our Navy training. We decided to spend that down time at a bed and breakfast in Vermont.  We stayed at the Hartness House in Springfield and had a really great time.  October in New England is a truly magical place.  But what stands out above the rest is the dinner we went to on our final night. I don’t remember what I had, but I do remember that the food was amazing.  Kori and I still periodically mention it—“remember that meal we had in Vermont?  That was that best ever…” But what does stand out to me was how amazing Kori looked.  So while I don’t remember the food, I absolutely remember what Kori looked like.  She had on a very fall-like outfit (tan corduroy pants with an orange cashmere sweater) and was knock-out gorgeous.  If anyone ever asks me, “what’s the best dining experience you’ve ever had” there is no question that this night would be the answer.  A candlelit table, excellent food (whatever it was), and the most stunning dinner date in the world.  Yeah, that’s a pretty good memory.  

There are no photos of the dinner, but this was taken earlier in the day.  What a gorgeous view (and the trees and water is pretty nice, too!) 

#1. Wedding Day.   Kori looked so beautiful that day (not that she doesn’t look beautiful every day).  But this was a different look for her.  Flowers in her hair, a gorgeous dress, makeup.  To this day it remains the most breathtaking moment I’ve experienced—turning around as the music began to play and seeing Kori walking towards me.  I’ve never seen anything or any person more beautiful.   As I take my last breath on this earth, that is the image I hope to take with me. It is unquestionably my #1 favorite memory with Kori. In August 2004, Kori and I were staying with her parents in central Florida waiting to ship out for the Navy when Hurricane Charley came through. We went days without electricity, running water or air conditioning in the sweltering Florida August heat. It was not a fun time. We happened to come across a strip mall that inexplicably had power and a movie theater. Kori and I sat in that air conditioned theater and for two hours, letting M. Night Shyamalan help us forget about how miserable things were outside of the theater walls. Even today, nearly seven years later, I still associate this movie with that great feeling of relief. Classical conditioning at it’s best. And that is why it’s included here. This makes the list for a different reason. I know it got hammered by critics, but I actually liked it. I thought it was a good, thrilling movie with a pretty cool twist at the end. That said, here’s the real reason I’ve included it: In August 2004, Kori and I were staying with her parents in central Florida waiting to ship out for the Navy when Hurricane Charley came through. We went days without electricity, running water or air conditioning in the sweltering Florida August heat. It was not a fun time. We happened to come across a strip mall that inexplicably had power and a movie theater. Kori and I sat in that air conditioned theater and for two hours, letting M. Night Shyamalan help us forget about how miserable things were outside of the theater walls. Even today, nearly seven years later, I still associate this movie with that great feeling of relief. Classical conditioning at it’s best. And that is why it’s included here. This makes the list for a different reason. I know it got hammered by critics, but I actually liked it. I thought it was a good, thrilling movie with a pretty cool twist at the end. That said, here’s the real reason I’ve included it: In August 2004, Kori and I were staying with her parents in central Florida waiting to ship out for the Navy when Hurricane Charley came through. We went days without electricity, running water or air conditioning in the sweltering Florida August heat. It was not a fun time. We happened to come across a strip mall that inexplicably had power and a movie theater. Kori and I sat in that air conditioned theater and for two hours, letting M. Night Shyamalan help us forget about how miserable things were outside of the theater walls. Even today, nearly seven years later, I still associate this movie with that great feeling of relief. Classical conditioning at it’s best. And that is why it’s included here. This makes the list for a different reason. I know it got hammered by critics, but I actually liked it. I thought it was a good, thrilling movie with a pretty cool twist at the end. That said, here’s the real reason I’ve included it: In August 2004, Kori and I were staying with her parents in central Florida waiting to ship out for the Navy when Hurricane Charley came through. We went days without electricity, running water or air conditioning in the sweltering Florida August heat. It was not a fun time. We happened to come across a strip mall that inexplicably had power and a movie theater. Kori and I sat in that air conditioned theater and for two hours, letting M. Night Shyamalan help us forget about how miserable things were outside of the theater walls. Even today, nearly seven years later, I still associate this movie with that great feeling of relief. Classical conditioning at it’s best. And that is why it’s included here.

Bonus pictures of the beautiful Kori-Lynne!