Christmas morning, my wife, Kate, and I were exchanging gifts when she game me a fair sized wrapped box. It was light, but one never knows. When I opened it, it turned out to be the nicest Christmas card I ever received.
On it she wrote a little poem telling me not to make any plans for the last part of the week and over the weekend because she had a surprize.
She explained that we had tickets leaving Orlando on friday morning for an undisclosed location.
I never had any inkling of where or what she had planned, but she kept dropping little hints, none of which were consistent enough for me to piece together a plan.
It wasn't until we arrived at our gate at Orlando International that I saw we were boarding a plane for Richmond, Virginia.
Somthing clicked - she had dropped a hint about feeding my history-buffness, so I surmised we were off to visit the Civil War battle grounds in that area. I was stoked!!!!
We arrived Richmond and began the drive up I64. I could see signs along the way with names like Spotsylvania and others so I KNEW we were heade to some museums.
Eventually we were heading along Constitution Highway when she said "...we need to make a left right up at that building ahead...". I had no clue until we turned into the parking lot and I realized we were pulling into Billy Cooper's Music Store! I flipped out!
She asked "you've heard of this place?"
To which I replied, "EVERYBODY knows about Billy Cooper and his shop! I drool on the website regularly."
I was sooooooo flabbergasted about this incredible gift and how she pulled it off without giving a hint.
Now tell me, is that a Wife or what???? I am indeed a lucky and Blessed husband!
The visit was wonderful. Wanda and BIlly were expecting us and welcomed us. Billy showed us around the store and his repair shop. We told stories and talked steel for 2 hours.
I was sooooooo mesmerized by the guitars on the wall - from the little '38 Rick, to the ~64-65 Emmons that was the FIRST serialized model. Of course the new guitars on the floor keep BEGGING me to take one of them home but alas with much consternation, I resisted that but picked up some of Billy's wonderful CD's and other items.
I was so overtaken by the surprize that I failed to ask Billy alot of questions, but I do believe that a follow-up visit is in my future.
For anyone who hasn't been, Billy's place is a must see. There have never been two nicer people than Billy and his wife Wanda.
As for me, I have sooooo very much to be thankful for in this Holiday season - a new home, a new job and most importantly, the best partner and wife and man could ever hope to pass through life with - my Kate. She never fails to challenge, surprize and inspire me!
I just wanted to share this little story with my SGF friends.
Ricky...
