Matt's Birthday Extravaganza

Right after Matt and I got married I decided that we were going to do birthday’s a little different around our house. I just couldn’t justify going out and spending money on some do-dad that Matt didn’t need, just to give him a present. Our house is overflowing with “stuff”. I sure don’t want to buy more “stuff”. I decided to give him a memory for his birthday instead of a tangible item. Some might call this cheap, but I assure you it is not. I spend just as much money, if not more, and it takes time to figure out what I’m going to do. There is a lot more planning involved than just stopping by the store.

The first year we tried this I took him to the Frist Center. We saw the Pulitzer prize photo exhibit and then had a fabulous dinner at Sambuca. It’s been 3 years, and Matt still talks about the awesome ostrich that I had for dinner that night. He also talks about the moving photo’s in the exhibit.

Last year we ate breakfast at Fido’s in Hillsboro Village and then went to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Studio B. Matt got to sit at a piano that Elvis recorded on. And we were music city tourist for an afternoon.

Well, Matt’s birthday was yesterday so we celebrated on Saturday. I made the plans and I referred to it as Matt’s “Birthday Extravaganza!” Matt wanted clothes this year for his birthday because he is going to be student teaching in the spring and will need to dress up more than his usual cargo shorts and t-shirt. I was very proud of Matt for using this opportunity to get things that he needed. So we began with a little shopping. Kohl's and then the Gap. Matt got some nice stuff that fits and he seems to like pretty well.

Then we went to Whole Foods and got an array of yummy food to have a picnic. We bought whole grain sushi, edamame rice, pita chips and hummus, fruit, and apple pie for dessert. Then we moseyed over to Centennial Park, laid out our blanket and settled in for an evening of Shakespeare in the Park. At many points in the day I asked Matt if he was enjoying his “Birthday Extravaganza” and he said yes, so I think my plan this year was a success.

The Play they performed was Coriolanus. Neither of us had seen it or read it, but it was good. The special guest was Giancarlo Guerrero of the Nashville Symphony.

Matt and I had arrived early enough to stake out front row seats. We could see everything and hear everything, and we had enough room to stretch out our long legs.