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Two weeks ago marked my last day at a job I’d been at for almost two years. Leaving was absolutely bittersweet. I miss it every day, but at the same time, I truly believe it was the best decision I could have made for myself.

Fast forward to Friday, December 13—my 25th birthday. How did I get here?

To celebrate, my girlfriend Ashley and I decided to take a trip to Nashville. Neither of us had ever been, and we were excited to experience Music City. The trip turned out to be everything I hoped for—and more.

A Fresh Start at the Crack of Dawn

Our flight was at 6:30 a.m., which meant leaving my house around 4:00 a.m. As exhausting as it was, the excitement of what lay ahead kept us going. When we arrived in Nashville, it was still early, but we decided to check into our Airbnb immediately. Lucky for us, our host allowed us to check in early! We were off to a great start.

After settling in and getting ready for the day, Ashley and I headed into town for some breakfast. We stumbled upon a cozy brunch spot, where I indulged in a mimosa flight with pancakes while Ashley opted for scrambled eggs, bacon, and a mimosa of her own. Perfect start to a birthday weekend, right?

Birthday Surprises and Ice Sculptures

After brunch, we returned to our Airbnb, where Ashley had a surprise waiting for me. She set up the space beautifully while I relaxed in the living room. She had even prepared presents from both her and my mom—such a sweet touch.

Later, we visited the Gaylord Opryland Hotel, a place I can only describe as jaw-dropping. The hotel is currently hosting an ICE! event, where they’ve carved 6,000 blocks of ice into intricate sculptures of Frosty the Snowman and his friends. It was truly something to see.

The Party Never Stops

By the time evening came around, we were running on fumes—thank you, 4:00 a.m. wake-up call—but it was my birthday, so the party wasn’t stopping. We had booked a drag queen bus ride that started at 9 p.m. The bus took us on a tour around town for about an hour and a half, with two fabulous drag queens providing entertainment along the way. There were jello shots and canned spirits to keep the party going, and I couldn’t help but be amazed at how they performed on such a small stage—especially since the bus was moving! It was a blast.

Afterward, our group headed to Coyote Ugly for dancing and more drinks. Felicia, one of the other girls, bought me a drink for my birthday, and before I knew it, we were all dancing in the bar, having the time of our lives.

Music History and Cowgirl Hats

The next day, we explored some of Nashville’s rich music history. We visited the Country Music Hall of Fame, where there’s a whole section dedicated to pop stars like Taylor Swift and Luke Combs. I was particularly struck by the display of Taylor’s special Koa Guitar, engraved with her name. We also toured the old RCA Records studio, where our guide played music from the ‘60s and ‘70s to immerse us in the era.

Later, we wandered through Downtown Nashville, hopping between some famous bars—Blake Shelton’s, Jason Aldean’s, and Miranda Lambert’s. Unfortunately, they were packed, so we didn’t stick around long, but I did manage to pick up a cowgirl hat and boots to complete my Nashville look. Let me tell you, I rocked it.

Segway Adventures and a Bittersweet Goodbye

Sunday was a bit more low-key. We booked a Segway tour of the city, which was a fun experience—though honestly, Segways are harder to control than I expected! My body felt the aftermath the next day, but it was worth it. After the tour, Ashley and I headed back to the airport to fly home. It felt like the weekend flew by way too quickly, but I left Nashville already planning my next visit.