Denise and I traveled all over during the first years of our marriage. We would ski in the winter, go to Cancun on Thanksgiving, Christmas in Philly, 2 Super Bowls, Vegas..etc. We were just making up for all the non-traveling we did as kids. It was after one such vacation that we decided to add to the family.
My boss at the radio station was kind enough to let me take my first ever 12 day vacation. In radio, just trying to get ONE week off involves an Act Of Congress. But, the morning show was "smokin" and she thought I needed the extended break. Denise and I packed our gear and went off to Maui, HI. It was the first time we ever traveled that far, and man...it was worth it. I don't want this to turn into a travel ad for Hawaii....but if you can get there...haul can asap. It's beautiful!
When we finally arrived back in Houston we both came to the conclusion that we've been to some amazing places in the U.S.A....and that now would be a great time to start a family. And we did! Started right away. (I'll skip the details as my son might read this someday).
As many of you know, you're never exactly sure when the "football goes through the uprights". Well, one morning I was on the radio, and Denise showed up at the station. I should have thought that was kinda weird, because she avoided the station. In fact, she only came to work with me to see Jon Bon Jovi, or renew our wedding vowels with listeners on the radio. When she appeared in the window of the sound proof studio door, I waved for her to come in, even though I was talking on the air.
My sidekick Maria Todd was goofing around with some caller when Denise leaned over to kiss me. Now THAT wasn't out of the ordinary. She's a very romantic woman, and often kisses me or ( sorry, content deleted) in public. But when Denise leaned over to kiss me, she whispered in my ear, "I'm PREGNANT". Well, my mic was still on at the time of the secretive announcement. I was shocked by the news. In fact, I was this close to an FCC fine for cursing.....but I was able to contain my emotion as the show kept rolling along. Remember, it was a live morning show. And the biggest news of my life was just told to me...and I didn't' say a word. In fact, nobody caught on. I smiled at Denise and she smiled at me. I swiveled around in my chair to face the control board and went on entertaining Houston. Except that I had no idea what I was even saying. All I could think of was that we were going to be parents.
BTW, we kept the news a secret for a long time. Our families didn't find out until Denise was 3 months pregnant, while friends, co-workers and listeners didn't hear the news until 5 months into the pregnancy. We just felt we wanted to keep the special event as private as possible.
We eventually started to speak in "code" when talking about our future bundle of joy. We referred to the baby as "Kirby" in all public conversations. That's because the radio station call letters were KRBE. (I know what you're thinking....BRILLIANT!!!!)
Well, nine months later on a Monday morning Jake was born at 9am. He was an official "Drive Time" baby. I was soooo excited that I called into the station and told Maria that I was a daddy. To this day, 13 years later, Houstonians still stop us to tell Denise and I that they were listening at the moment I called into the show. It forever brings a smile to our faces, and strengthens our bond to Houston.
One more thing...my boss never let me take another 12 day vacation. :)
