I'm not sure if I've mentioned this, but as well as being a radio presenter for Mansfield 103.2, my main job is working as a celebrant. I conduct weddings and naming ceremonies, but the majority of my time is taken officiating at funerals. It's a job I absolutely love! I know that sounds weird, a lot of people think it must be depressing, but it really isn't. I get to help families tell their loved ones story for a final time and help them at a difficult time in their life.
Over the years, I've met some incredible people and I think a bit of every service I've conducted has stayed with me. A couple of years ago I did a service for a lady who for birthdays and Christmases gave her family "memories" as presents. They'd go on day trips to the zoo, a weekend away, or a meal. Her belief was in that in years to come, those would be the things her family would remember and she was right. None of her family said, "she bought me a pair of socks one year", or that plastic toy I said I absolutely had to have. They spoke about the laughs they'd had on the trips they'd been on.
The thought of giving a memory stuck with me and so I suggested to my sister Lucy we did the same. Don't get me wrong, we still buy each other new pyjamas for birthdays and Christmases (we weren't dragged up), but we started getting each other an "adventure".
Last year for my birthday, Lucy bought me a trip to look around "Emmerdale". Lucy hasn't watched it since it had "Farm" in the title, but I love it. It's the only soap opera I watch and I'm excited to go and have a drink in the Woolpack (or at least pose outside) and bump into Cain Dingle (hopefully). We go in April and I'm very excited.
For Christmas I got Lucy tickets to see a play called "Plaza Suite". Now normally Lucy and I are full on musical theatre. We want sequins, high kicks, a power ballad and a medley at the end and that's our idea of a good night out.
Plays don't tend to be our thing, but this play was different! It had Sarah Jessica Parker in and we both love her! We must have watched "Sex and the City" a thousand times, it's one of our favourite shows. The chance to be in the same room as SJP was just too much. I bought the tickets last September, which was brilliant, but it left me with a major problem - I had to keep it secret until Christmas Day and ensure that Lucy didn't see it advertised anywhere or no one spoiled the surprise!
Fortunately, I managed it! Even a trip to the theatre where it was playing prior to the show didn't betray my Christmas gift!
Last Saturday we headed to London to see "Plaza Suite", which I should also add co-starred SJP's real life husband Matthew Broderick. Yes actual Ferris Bueller!
After I'd booked the tickets, I thought I should check what it was about and luckily it was a comedy. The show is split into three sections and Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick play three couples. Karen and Sam who are long-term married, but everything is not as it seems. High school sweethearts, Muriel and Jesse and finally Norma and Roy who are at the Plaza to celebrate their daughter's nuptials.
It's mainly SJP and Matthew Broderick on stage for the entirety and the chemistry between them and the way they bring the characters to life is incredible. The show quite rightly got a standing ovation.
All the way home we talked about the play, how incredible it was that we got to see one of our heroes in the flesh and that we'd both had a little cry when she'd first walked on stage.
IT WAS CARRIE BRADSHAW IN REAL LIFE PEOPLE!
I know we'll talk about this for years to come.
Giving a memory is something I've started to do with other friends too. Instead of birthday presents me, Lucy and Gav each put an idea for a day trip in a hat and picked one out at random. The first one was Gav's choice of Cadbury World and we had the best day. I think we laughed all the way around. Next up is Lucy's choice of Kinema in the Woods.
For Christmas we are decided to do a mini-break and the first one we are off on is to Holmfirth .... "Last of the Summer Wine" country. I've got my Nora Batty's already packed!
With other friends, we've done meals, afternoon teas, pizza nights or just hung out in our PJS eating popcorn and watching the "Strictly Come Dancing" final.
A memory doesn't have to be expensive, just something that shows some thought and that you'll enjoy doing with your family and friends.
Don't get me wrong, I'm still slightly bitter that I didn't get a Mr Frosty when I was 5, but I think my mum was right, it would definitely have broken by now or found it's way to the loft.
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