Tuesday, June 19, 2012

A Ten Year Anniversary of a Different Kind

One reason I'm able to continue to work after becoming a mother is because I work for a really great Company. So great, in fact, that I have been with them for 10 years!

Each year on the weekend closest to Southwest Airlines' birthday (June 18th), they host the Annual Awards Banquet to honor surprise awards and major milestone service awards (10, 20, 30, 40!) This year it was at the Anatole in Dallas, which is also where Mr. G and I stayed both Friday and Saturday night. We did it for convenience rather than run back and forth to Cowtown all weekend.

Saturday we spent the day lazing about the hotel then getting ready. It was a really great party, and never one to miss the opportunity to wear sequins, I fully embraced dressing up. My dress was Badgley Mischka via Rent the Runway, and I'll have a full review of my thoughts on that service tomorrow.

As we walked in, they had the year each group being honored that evening began working at SWA. This year (2002) is especially dear because it holds such a big ending and beginning of a new chapter in my life. I graduated from Texas A&M on May 11, 2002 and reported to Dallas for work as a Programmer/Analyst on June 24, 2002 at SWA. I've been here ever since.


The Dallas String Quartet performed during the dinner hour. They sounded a bit like the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and played everything from Lady Gaga to Guns 'N Roses. They were incredible entertainers!

After dinner, the Pentatonix were the main talent, interspersed with the surprise awards of the evening. I didn't watch the reality show they won last fall so I was blown away by their talent. And I didn't realize it was kind of headed by Scott Hoying, who was a Kidd Kraddick find several years ago. You could tell so much work went into the planning. It was a blast.


And after the whole shebang was over, Sugar Ray played in the adjoining ballroom. Yes, Mark McGrath sang his big hits. It actually kind of took me back to 2002 or thereabout. After they finished, a cover band played well into the early morning hours. We danced and had a great time.




And then we headed upstairs to bed to sleep past 9! I am so proud to work for my great Company. I moved to the big city, lived as a single girl for 3 years, met my husband, dated, got married, bought a house, and HAD A CHILD in the past 10 years. In a way, I've grown up here. The People there have been part of my family through all of those moments, and it was so fun to reflect on the past 10 years in style!

8 comments:

  1. Congrats! I finished college the same year but have been through four employers since then! It's such a blessing to find a wonderful place to work. (And three of the four were wonderful.)
    Your dress is beautiful--can't wait to hear the story!

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    1. Indeed it is. Some day I will share the story of how and when I was hired. It's a good one and proof of the type of Company I worked for.

      Thank you!

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  2. Congratulations!! What an exciting milestone. It also freaks me out a bit that we're getting old enough to celebrate things like this! ha ha. I have always wanted to work for SWA...I have family friends who have worked there and hear nothing but wonderful things about the company. Looks like they celebrated you all very well for your loyal service. AND, you looked gorgeous! Loved seeing your instagram pics leading up to it. :) Glad you had fun.

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    1. I can't believe it's been TEN YEARS, but at the same time it's been a blink. It's truly a wonderful place to work.

      Thank you very much!

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  3. Wow! GREAT dress!

    It's amazing what 10 years can hold =)

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    1. Thank you! Three kids and all over the country (and world!) for y'all!

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  4. I love this!! What a great 10 years it has been, right? Here's hoping the next 10 are even better!

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    1. So cliche to say, but it has completely flown by!

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