January 17, 2018
I wrote this post a couple years ago during a record Nashville snowstorm and this week Nashville has been blanketed by snow again (and again) and while I sip my snowstorm cocktail after sledding all day with the girls …and prepare for another day off of school … I thought the post is still totally relevant:
It is no secret to anyone who lives in or around Nashville that we don’t handle snow very well. At the mere threat of inclement winter weather, everyone in Music City stocks up on the notorious milk and bread, schools close across the mid-state and drivers panic on the roads causing wrecks and traffic jams throughout the city. Usually all of this panic results in maybe a light dusting of snow at best and some cooler temperatures at worst. But sometimes, all of this panic is warranted. And on those days — when Nashvillians do actually wake up to several inches of snow — I am reminded of why I love our sweet southern city even, ESPECIALLY, in a snowstorm.
Nashville recently received record snowfall wherein we awoke to a winter wonderland. This wintry occurrence certainly changes the landscape of the city, but it also changes the attitude – for kids and adults alike. Suddenly, everyone comes out of their houses to romp in the fresh fallen powder. Snowball fights break out across yards and snowmen pop-up by the dozens. Families flock to the best sledding hills which are claimed all over the city. On these hills, adults become kids and kids become daredevils.
Friends commune – again by foot or if you’re lucky enough to have 4-wheel drive – at the only coffee shop, bar or restaurant that is open. Neighbors wave hello as they pass each other walking on the snow-covered streets – hands full of bags of beer and milk – on their trek back from the only open market, or simply walking their pets and admiring the quiet beauty. Parents share dry socks and mittens, hot chocolate and snacks or the fastest sled. Others invite each other over for soup or chili or an afternoon of movies and a glass of wine.
Parents also commiserate to each other about the mounting days off of school and the cabin fever stir crazy that inevitably ensues… because the best of these Nashville snow storms are the ones where once you are over the sledding and snowmen, you’ve run out of your aforementioned bread and milk supply and you and your kids (and parents) are beginning to go completely insane, all of the glorious snow melts – just before the kids use up all of their allotted school snow days. Just in case another storm comes through this winter…or simply the threat of a light dusting.
Happy Snow season Nashville!
