Matt and Melinda's Story

The next part of the story takes us to Chicago, IL, home of Matt and Melinda, who have been close friends of Andrew and Liz’s since they started high school. In October 2008, Melinda and Matt decided that they wanted to grow their family. Matt and Melinda occasionally make it back to Cincinnati to visit with family and friends, but always prioritize visiting Andrew, Liz and Anna.
In December 2008, Matt and Melinda made it a point to visit with Andrew and Liz over the holiday season and expressed their interest in adding to their family. It should be noted that this visit made it nearly impossible not to want a bundle of joy. You see, Matt and Melinda’s other long-time friends, the Ratliffs and Kleinfelders, had also recently welcomed beautiful babies, Jack and Riley, respectively.

Matt and Melinda left that holiday gathering with very full hearts, and hoped that they would soon be pregnant. During the drive to Chicago from their trip to Cincinnati, Andrew emailed Matt and Melinda the turtle story, which deeply touched them. They loved the story but agreed that turtles are rather rare in the Windy City. We all know how brutal Chicago’s winters can be and Melinda suggested to Matt that they go somewhere warm for the long Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend in January 2009.

They decided to take Matt’s uncle Francis up on his offer for them to stay at his home in Vero Beach, FL. Matt set up the trip and they both were excited for a long weekend of relaxation and sunshine. The Thursday before their trip to Vero Beach, Matt and Melinda settled in to watch their favorite show, 30 Rock. Matt and Melinda had their first turtle sighting during a dream sequence where a turtle brings Liz Lemon a drink while she relaxes on a sandy beach. Quite a coincidence given the turtle story they had heard only weeks before.

When Matt and Melinda arrived in Vero Beach, they met Matt’s uncle at his home, unpacked, and planned to head to the country club to have lunch and play golf. Matt told his uncle that he was going to have lunch with Melinda and meet up with him and his work friend on the 3rd or 4th hole. Matt finished his lunch with Melinda and set off in his golf cart to catch up with Francis and Jim. In the distance, Matt noticed his uncle and friend (whom he had not yet met) waiting on the tee at the 4th hole. As Matt pulled his cart behind Fran’s, he noticed that Jim had an interesting head cover for his driver. You see, Jim is an alumnus of the University of Maryland. Do you know what their mascot is? That’s right. The Terrapin. Jim’s head cover was a turtle. Hilarious. Matt finished the round and told Melinda of the terrapin sighting and they shared a laugh.

That night the four of them went out to dinner in downtown Vero Beach. While they were driving, they noticed some interesting artwork on display on the street corners. In Chicago the city periodically displays decorated cows that reference to The Great Chicago Fire of 1871. In Cincinnati the city displays the pigs. Every city has some version of this. Well, in Vero Beach they display painted turtles on the street corners. Amazing. Matt and Melinda did not know this until they wrote this story, but every February runners and walkers come to Vero Beach, FL to participate in the Turtle Trek, which is part of the Turtle Trax Community Festival. Three weeks later, Melinda and Matt found out that they were pregnant. They are expecting to welcome the newest member of their family in October 2009.

MORE STORIES - Last updated July 12, 2009
Andrew and Liz Part 2
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