Today we’d like to introduce you to Bernie and Christy Auld.
Hi Bernie and Christy, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
Bernie and I met in Arkansas 20 years ago through our respective jobs. A few years later we started dating and have been together ever since. We realized very early on in our relationship how much fun we had together, and more times than not have ended up in conversations with strangers about our many adventures. During many of those discussions, people get the impression that we have money because we have done so many cool things like attending the Super Bowl, Kentucky Derby, World Series game, and the Caribbean. This just is not the case, and we always explain to them that not everything in life requires a lot of money. Sometimes it takes luck and thinking outside the box.
Although we both have day jobs and work extremely hard for everything we have, we also find ways to have adventures without breaking the bank. We were lucky to be drawn by the NFL three (3) times to purchase tickets to the Super Bowl at a price that fans could afford. Keep in mind we entered this drawing for years before we finally were selected to buy tickets and unfortunately, they no longer hold the drawing for fans. Unless the Titans make it to the Super Bowl, we have likely seen our last Super Bowl in person but that’s ok. It was an amazing experience that has brought us a lot of great memories.
After years of adventures with more on the horizon and discussions with so many people about the places we have gone, we decided to start blogging about our many adventures and the things we love. Thus “Auld You Ever Wanted to Know About…” was born! What we realized with the blog is that it not only gave us an opportunity to share our adventures with others, but it also gave us a diary of our life together. When discussing topics for our next articles we get to relive our adventures together, the craziness that happened, and the people we encountered. It always brings back a ton of memories that brings a smile to our face and typically lots of laughs.
When we decided to write a blog, we felt there were so many reality tv shows out there but how many times can you really relate to a reality star. Most of the time when we meet people they become interested not only in our story but also in how they could have more fun in their life. Most people can relate to us because we’re not millionaires with scripted lives. We are just a husband/wife duo that loves to have fun with each other. For us, an adventure can be something as simple as going to a restaurant or the grocery store. Fun and adventure are something we never work hard at finding. It tends to find us wherever we go, and we would love to know that we helped other people find their adventurous side, too.
We never know where our adventures will take us, but we always look forward to the next one and cannot wait to share our story with the world!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Life would not be an adventure if it were smooth! The bumps and potholes are what make us better stronger people. Anybody who says life has been smooth for them is probably in denial and lying not only to themselves but others. Nothing in life comes easy and we are all better for having dealt with a few struggles along the way.
One of our biggest struggles was navigating our relationship long-distance. It took work and commitment on both of our parts to make it work but it all worked out in the end. For years we lived four (4) hours away from each other and took turns traveling so we could see each other. Then eventually we were only two (2) hours away from each other, which allowed us to see each other more often. Now finally we live in the same house and see each other all the time unless one of us must travel for work.
Last year during the pandemic we both worked from home and got to see what it was like to be with each other 24/7 for an entire year. Despite the circumstances of the pandemic, we had a great time spending so much time together. It was great being able to eat lunch together and being able to pop in the other’s office just to say hi. We not only love each other but love spending time together and last year proved just how much fun we could have together even at home during a pandemic.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Bernie has his Master of Science in Civil Engineering and is a Dam Engineer. I have my law degree and am a Governmental Affairs Director. Because our professional lives are so serious all the time, we try to live our lives outside the workplace in a less serious fashion. For us, it is important that we find a good work-life balance, which we seem to do a pretty good job doing.
We also try to incorporate fun into our work trips so if one of us is attending a work conference the other will usually tag along. We take the opportunity to explore the city, so our trips are not just all work but there’s a little play as well. This again helps with the work-life balance.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
We both have some great childhood memories but the most memorable for each of us ironically involves a sports experience.
One of Bernie’s childhood memories occurred in the summer of 1967. In 1967, Bernie was 8 years old and was playing minor league baseball in Port Arthur, Texas. His team was sponsored by the United States Marine Corps, and they won the Port Arthur Championship. Upon winning, Bernie’s team was invited to the Marine Corps Base in Beaumont, Texas for their field day. The team was introduced in front of the Marine Corps and then the Marine Corps went through their operations where they let the players shoot at a target with a machine gun. During the presentation the Marine Corps also gave the team tickets to an upcoming Houston Astros game.
When Bernie went to the game, his dad drove to the game in their Volkswagen car. Unbeknownst to them, it just happened to be Volkswagen Day at the game. Any kid who was in a Volkswagen were asked to park in the front row and were given special pennants and an official Houston Astros patch that was worn by the players during the game. Also, where they were parked there was a stack of wood and metal, some still assembled, which turned out to be the original stands from the Colt 45’s stadium.
During the game Bernie got to watch Jim Wynn, Rusty Staub, and Joe Morgan beat the Pittsburgh Pirates in the Astrodome (also known as the 8th Wonder of the World), which was only two (2) years old at the time.
Bernie still has the patch to this day and remembers and discusses this day often.
One of my favorite childhood memories involves one of three (3) times in my life I have ever been speechless which was when I found out I was going to attend the retirement dinner for Ozzie “The Wizard of Oz” Smith in St. Louis.
In June 1996, The Wizard announced he would retire at the end of the season. At that point, I started discussing with my family about attending a game before he retired. In the end, I not only got the opportunity to go to his retirement game but then was able to get free tickets to his retirement dinner. Ozzie’s retirement dinner was held September 28, 1996, at America’s Center with proceeds benefiting the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation. I was in the room with some of the greats of the St. Louis Cardinals Bob Gibson, Willie McGee, Vince Coleman, just to name a few, and Olympic great Jackie Joyner-Kersee.
At one point, I had the opportunity to go up to Ozzie and ask him to autograph his Rookie Card. I know his first thought was probably that whoever handed him the card just wanted the autograph to make money but when he looked up and saw me it was like he knew that was not my intention.
To be in that environment with those greats was like a dream come true! It was such a great night and a memory I will always treasure. And, yes, I still have the card.
Contact Info:
- Email: auldadventures@gmail.com
- Website: http://auldadventures.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/auldadventure/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuldAdventure
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuldAdventures
Image Credits:
Bernie and Christy Auld
