1. You are on your 5 th cup of coffee and its only 10 am.
Too much caffeine doesn't exist, right?
2. You woke up late, and now you have to get ready at work.
What’s more fun than doing your makeup with friends?
3. You are swamped with projects and paper pile-ups on your desk.
Make a to-do list? Check.
4. You started filling out your March Madness bracket... in January.
It’s never too early to be prepared.
5. You find yourself googling vacation spots during your free time.
We can practically feel the sand in our toes.
6. You take advantage of every opportunity to pull out your new shades.
I wish I could see what we're laughing at ...
Book your spring break trip at southwest.com!
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02-28-2014
12:00 PM
8 Loves
With the Oscars coming up on Sunday, we were thinking about all the great feature films we have appeared in over the years. See if you can guess six of the Blockbuster films Southwest Airlines has been featured in!
Instead of peanuts on a flight, Brad Pitt took us out to the ball game for peanuts in this film based on a true story with Jonah Hill.
When Chris Hemsworth is banished to Earth to live among humans, he gets a taste of America when he meets Natalie Portman, rides in a car for the first time, and sees his first Southwest plane in the sky.
Shia LaBeouf goes to college in this blockbuster sequel, and his on-screen girlfriend, Megan Fox, flies with us to visit him and Bumblebee.
Tony Stark is off to save the world for the third time in this movie, containing some of our favorite things: flying, the color red, and Robert Downey, Jr..
This wasn't their first time in Sin City, when Southwest Airlines helped Morgan Freeman, Robert De Niro, Michael Douglas, and Kevin Kline relive their glory days.
Southwest went the distance to bring together the LUVly couple Drew Barrymore and Justin Long in this film.
Answers:
Moneyball
Thor
Transformers 2
Iron Man 3
Last Vegas
Going the Distance
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As you may have guessed, Steve and Jessie fell head over heels in love. Here’s their happy ending. Enjoy and Happy Valentine’s Day!
Jessie’s Story
Over the next few months, Steve flew to me, I flew to him, and we explored the question that comes up in every relationship: Where is this going? We decided if we were to seriously explore the next steps, it was time I met Steve’s two children from his first marriage. He had a seven-year-old son with special needs named Drake, and a five-year-old daughter named Teah, and we hit it off. With everything this man had endured, it was obvious he was ready for love, and he definitely deserved it.
In April 2011, I took the ultimate leap of faith and love, packed a U-Haul truck, and moved to Santa Cruz, where Steve and I would live with our two doggies and eventually, the kids every other weekend. There were many obstacles and challenges that tried to get in the way and disrupt our love, but to no avail. For what did not kill us, definitely made us stronger.
Even though I had family in San Jose, I still would undoubtedly miss my family in "So Cal." Since Steve was a frequent flier with Southwest, he qualified for a companion pass. I became his companion and was able to fly with him to see family and still be present for important events for the excellent price of $2.50 each way!
We loved sharing and reliving our story of how we met not once, but twice. Despite all odds and geography, we were living the dream of a flying love. In June 2012, Steve asked me to marry him, and I gladly accepted. We decided to have an airplane-themed wedding and began scouting venues. After searching for “Airplane Themed” weddings, I came across pictures of a wedding at Camarillo Airport WW2 Aviation Museum. We visited the Aviation Museum and fell in love with it, for we were destined to marry where our love began … at an airport. Naturally, the ceremony would be right in front of the runway surrounded by old planes with the reception to follow in the hangar.
On July 20, 2013 we exchanged vows and our promise to love one another, surrounded by our closest friends and family. To this day, I am still his flying companion, and we are so thankful to have had Southwest Airlines take our love to new heights as we soar on the wings of love.
Steve’s Story
In March of 2011, Jessie met my children for the first time at the San Jose Airport, and we spent the afternoon at the Children’s Discovery Museum. My daughter Teah and Jessie really connected that day. My son, Drake, was diagnosed with Autism, and I remember Jessie being so compassionate in her interactions with him. I could really see and feel that a wonderful life was in the making. A few weeks later, Jessie and I were having dinner with my father, and he asked me if I was interested in moving into his vacation rental in Santa Cruz, Calf. I told him I would definitely move in but I needed to figure out a roommate situation. The next day, I proposed to Jessie the prospect of being my roommate and moving her from Southern California to Santa Cruz. In April, I packed her stuff in a U-Haul with her dog and we drove into a new life together in Santa Cruz.
Jessie became my companion not just at home in Santa Cruz, but also on Southwest. We would fly once a month down to Burbank to be with family and friends. Southwest was a cornerstone in the foundation of our Love. Southwest softened the transition and eased the concerns of missing out on family events.
In the Spring of 2012, after a weekend visit with my mother and a great conversation on the way to the Airport, I decided I wanted to spend the rest of my life with Jessie. I proposed to her and she accepted. We now had to plan a wedding. We had one small challenge, how to find a venue that could accommodate her large family and correlated with our romantic courtship of flying. We found our venue in January 2013, at the Camarillo Commemorative Air Force Museum. We would fly down once a month for wedding planning. July 20, 2013 Jessie became my wife and we embarked on “The Flight of our Lives”
Thank you Southwest for sharing the love, because when you give love, you get so much more back!
Photo Credit: Majic Moments Wedding Photography
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Did Steve make an impression on Jessie before she left for Spain? Or will she go to Spain and fall for a bullfighter? Keep reading to find out what’s in store for Southwest Customers Steve and Jessie.
Jessie’s Story
From then on, our flying Southwest courtship continued and it was quite romantic. Due to our geographic locations, Southwest Airlines became the vehicle for our love story to flourish. When I went to Spain, we Skyped frequently, and I received a chivalrous email everyday as a countdown to my return. By mid-February 2011, a day or two after I came back to the States, he flew to Burbank just to fly me back to San Jose with him. That gesture in itself was furthering the romance that was to come. Southwest Airlines and the wings of love logo became our own personal logo for our love story.
Steve’s Story
The very next weekend I booked Jessie on a Southwest flight to San Jose. We went to dinner and spent the weekend touring the South Bay Area. The next weekend she flew back up for our first concert in Santa Cruz at a place called The Catalyst. We danced to the tunes of Slightly Stoopid and had a late-night dinner. The next weekend I flew down to Southern California and had such a great time that I flew down the next weekend just to spend some more time with Jessie. Along the way I got to meet more of her family and friends. The last weekend before her trip to Spain, I flew her up to San Jose, and I gave her my computer with Skype loaded. I told her I wanted to Skype once a day.
On December 5, she departed for Spain. I remember making the decision I was going to put all my cards and chips on the table. I was going all in, in an attempt to secure her love and affection. I wrote her an e-mail every morning, with a link to a YouTube song, and followed it up with a Skype in the late evening. When she landed in Los Angeles in January on 1/11/11, I was waiting for her in Burbank. The moment I held her in my arms I felt a profound love like never before. In February, Jessie was starting rehearsal for a play in North Hollywood, and I would fly down for appointments and catch her rehearsal in the evening. I was mesmerized by her talents.
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The continuation of the courtship between Southwest Customers Jessie and Steve.
Jessie’s Story
It’s now August 2010, and I was working at a piano bar when I saw Steve again. I recognized him immediately, especially since he has this distinguished salt and pepper hair (and I had seen his pictures on Facebook). That evening he was with a woman, so I carefully observed them for a few minutes. It seemed like they were just pals, so I decided it was safe to approach their table. I walked up, tapped him on the shoulder and said, “Hi! Do you remember me from the San Jose Airport?” He looked at me, smiled, and immediately said, “Yeah. Nice fake Facebook!” I apologized and explained my reasons, we laughed and he was very forgiving. He then gave me his number and basically told me the ball was in my court. I sent him a friend request from my real Facebook account and we took it from there.
Steve and Jessie meet up at a benefit she organized on behalf of her cousin.
Shortly thereafter, I was planning a breast cancer benefit for my cousin and invited him. He seemed eager to purchase tickets and asked for my address to mail the money. I thought to myself, “I didn’t even want to give this guy my real Facebook account, and now I’m supposed to give him my address to buy tickets?” So I did what any smart gal would do, I gave him my dad’s address! Then he took it a step further and inquired about donating some cell phones for my silent auction. (Points for Steve!) I gladly accepted his kind donation and about a week later the package of cell phones arrived ... again at my dad's address.
The night of the benefit he showed up with his "wingman," and we chatted some before I took to the stage to start the show. At the time I sang in a classic rock and blues band, and I didn't tell him that I was part of the entertainment, so I think he was surprised when I started singing. Needless to say, I was sure he was impressed.
After that night, my family affectionately started calling him “Airplane Guy.” As the night progressed, we had a few more moments to talk and I let him know I was leaving for Spain for the holidays, and would be gone for nearly two months. This was my way of letting him know that we had about a month to get acquainted before I left.
Steve’s Story
Over two months had passed, and I was back in Southern California for work. I was there with my colleague Melissa from Northern California. After our appointment that day, we took a cab back to the hotel to change before heading to dinner, but Melissa was not feeling well. I remember telling her we could call it a night, and I would just grab room service for dinner, but Melissa said, “No way! We are going out.” We grabbed dinner and then headed over to the Hard Rock Café. It turned out the Hard Rock Café was closed, and as we walked back through City Walk, we could hear the music upstairs from a piano bar. We took the escalator upstairs and went inside. Once inside, I leaned over to Melissa and pointed toward the stage. I told her the woman on stage looks familiar, but I can’t put my finger on where I have seen her. Melissa looked at me rolled her eyes and shook her head and said, “Steve you probably say that a lot.” Maybe she was right, I thought to myself.
Ten minutes had passed when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned to see the woman from the stage in front of me with a "Ta Da" theater pose, with her hands up and open. She said, “Do you remember me?” in which I replied hesitantly, “Um no, but you do look familiar.” She replied with, “San Jose Airport ...” It was then that I full recognized her and was so flabbergasted that I just about fell over.
Steve and Jessie outside of the piano bar they ran into each other two months after meeting a Southwest flight. Small world!
I quickly regained my composure (and my manners) and introduced my colleague Melissa. I could tell I solved the first question in her mind which was, “Who is he with?” I then proceeded to give Jessie a hard time about leaving me out in limbo land and her Facebook screening. Before I went on a full-blown tirade, I apologized and told her I would very much like to get to know her, but the ball would be in her court to contact me with a real name and number. I took her pen and a napkin and told her I would love it if she contacted me and wrote down my name, phone number, and e-mail.
That night I went back to my hotel and could not stop shaking my head while doing a happy dance. I mean, what are the chances of a random second meeting in a city with over five million people? Was this some divine occurrence unfolding? Two days later I got the real Jessie Facebook invitation. We exchanged a few e-mails in September as I tried to negotiate a last minute lunch date without success. In October, I received a Facebook invitation to a Breast Cancer Benefit event Jessie was holding for her cousin. I called my good buddy John, aka “The Funkman” and asked him if he would be my wingman at the benefit and gave him the background story on Jessie.
I e-mailed Jessie to find out how to secure tickets for the event, as she stated in her invite to send cash or a check. I asked her to give me a call to discuss. I will never forget our first call. I was at the Santa Cruz Skate Park in Santa Cruz, Calf. The sun was shining, warming my soul, and the sky was baby blue. We spoke about tickets and then she mentioned a silent auction. I told her I wanted to send items to donate for the auction. She provided me her address, which later turned out to be her father’s address. I thought, "Smart lady!"
John and I arrived at the benefit and were greeted by Jessie and her cousin. After a few introductions, it dawned on me that all her family was attending. John was hanging out at the bar talking to Jessie’s uncle, while Jessie and I were basically speed dating. After a few questions, Jessie mentioned she was going to Spain in about five weeks for forty-five days. Before I could really absorb this, she then asked me to hold her drink. She then proceeded to head to the microphone, where I thought she would be making an announcement. I was surprised to find out she was a singer as she started to belt out songs from Credence Clearwater Revival, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Led Zepplin. I remember leaning over to her mother and telling her I was amazed by her talent.
It was an amazing night and it ended with a warm embrace. I remember walking back to the hotel thinking to myself, "I have to make an impression over the next five weeks before she goes to Spain." The next morning I had to fly back to San Jose on the 7:00 a.m. flight. Around 9:30 a.m., I received a text message asking if I wanted to grab breakfast. I replied that I had already left to go back to San Jose. She replied with, “And you didn’t offer to take me with you?” I quickly responded with, “rain check?”
Tune into Nuts About Southwest tomorrow to learn what happens next!
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This is the LUV Story of Steve and Jessie Garrido—told from each of their perspectives.
Jessie’s Story
On June 9, 2010, I was waiting to board a Southwest Airlines Flight from Burbank, CA to San Jose, CA, when I saw this handsome gent in a suit also waiting to board the plane. He was a usual A-list passenger that typically sat near the front of the plane. He noticed I was boarding in the C group that day and decided to sit towards the back of the plane with the hope that I’d sit next to him. When I got on the plane, I sat one row behind him and to the left so I could observe him instead! When we got off the plane he slowed down so I could catch up as we headed toward baggage claim. He gave me his best opening line, “Hello, are you visiting or returning home?” I told him I was just visiting some family. He asked what I do for work and I said, “Well, I just graduated and I’m still looking for work.” He looked perplexed as he asked, “Graduated from…?” I said, “College.” He let out a laugh of relief that I didn’t say I just graduated from high school!
We had a laugh about it and introduced ourselves, Jessie and Steve. He then asked for my phone number and I said no. Then he asked for my email and said “If I say something stupid you can just delete it.” I couldn’t resist his persistence, and when I gave him my email address he asked if it was tied to a Facebook. I said yes it is but I later realized it was tied to a Facebook account that I had just opened, so it was literally empty.
He sent me a friend request and I accepted but never replied to his post. I felt because of our geographical distance (he lived in San Jose, and I lived in San Fernando Valley) it’d be unrealistic to engage with someone who lived so far away. So, I never responded to his post. He thought I was new to FB since I had no posts, no friends, and even worse NO PICTURES!
He was no doubt convinced I gave him a fake Facebook. I am a very private person and quite honestly weary of creepers and clingers.
Steve’s Story
The phone rang on June 8, 2010, and it was a call from my colleague, Paul, in Maryland. He was booked for a meeting in New York and needed me to cover another appointment for him in Los Angeles. I hung up the phone and logged onto the Internet to book my flight on Southwest. I wrapped up my appointment and headed for the Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, Ca. I passed through security and got on the phone with Paul to debrief. I was walking over to Gate A2 to sit down, when I took notice of Jessie. I didn’t just take notice; I was captivated by her beautiful stature and long, flowing hair. I wrapped up my call as the gate agent called for the first boarding group. I fly Business Select and noticed that Jessie was not in the first boarding group. I wanted to sit by her in the hopes we would strike up a conversation, so I sat near the back of the plane against the window. I thought it was strategic seating on my part. I was hoping she would take the aisle seat. She ended up sitting across from me and aisle behind. She had a perfect view of me, but I could not turn without her taking notice of me. Somewhere over the Salinas Valley in Monterey County the Pilot came over the intercom that we were starting our descent. I started to get really nervous because I couldn’t think of an opening line besides a simple, “Hello.” Finally, as we were landing it all came together. I would deplane and walk slowly through the terminal, in the hopes she would catch up to me, and then I could use my conversation starter.
We walked into the terminal, and I started to slow down and as she approached into verbal proximity, I turned and said, “Hello, are you traveling or just coming home?” (During the whole descent this was the best opening line I could produce.) As we walked towards the Baggage Claim I knew I needed to ask for her number, and so I did. Her response was “No.” Well, I was not going to let it end on a, “No.” so I asked her if I could get her email address. I said, “If I write something you don’t like you just hit delete and no harm no foul.” Jessie quickly produced a pen and paper and jotted down her e-mail address. I asked her if it was tied to a Facebook account and she said, “Yes.” I told her I would send an e-mail and send a Facebook invite in a few days.
I e-mailed Jessie three days later with no response and I sent a Facebook invite about a week later. I never got a response to my e-mail, but I did get a notification that Jessie had accepted my Friend Request. After work that evening I went home and logged on to Facebook to review her Profile. She had no friends, no pictures, and no wall posts. She had given me a screening account that way she could view my entire profile and make sure I was a gentleman with sound morals and ethics. I waited for a response that never came. I contemplated deleting her profile but something in me just said to let it ride and I remember thinking, “C’est La Vie” or “Such is Life.”
Tune into Nuts About Southwest tomorrow to learn what next!
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Ahh … Valentine’s Day. Love notes, chocolates, and roses are everywhere this time of year, and I love them all! The only thing that can make the day of love even sweeter is to get away with your sweetie. As the “LUV” airline, Southwest can whisk you and the LUV of your life to romantic places all over the United States. Whether you like adventure, nightlife, or just relaxing on the beach, here are a few of my favorite romantic destinations to visit:
1. New York City, New York—The Big Apple is a great place to getaway! Grab your ice skates and glide around at Rockefeller Center, take a stroll through Central Park, or relax on a boat through Classic Harbor Line Tours.
2. Key West, Florida—What better way to get to know each other than by going underwater snorkeling or scuba diving in the Florida Keys? After a busy day in the water, you can climb to the top of the Key West lighthouse for a relaxing view of the ocean.
3. Austin, Texas—Are you looking for a relaxing Valentine’s Day? Check out the Lake Austin Spa Resort in Austin, TX. This resort offers something for everyone with cardio and yoga classes, full-body massages, swimming, relaxing on hammocks and fine dining.
4. Branson, Missouri—Travel back in time with your date to the early 1900s by taking a ride on the Branson Scenic Railway through the Ozarks. Afterwards, you can explore some of Branson’s famous nightlife. With everything from local bands, to magicians to hypnotists and comedians, you are sure to never get bored!
5. Richmond, Virginia—There are many options to enjoy history and fine arts in Richmond. Visit the hundred-year-old Valentine Richmond History Center, to learn about American urban and social history. Afterword, act like detectives at a Richmond Murder Mystery Dinner, then check out the Richmond Ballet or the ComedySportz Improv Theatre.
6. San Francisco, California—Take a stroll across the Golden Gate Bridge for a view of the Pacific Ocean, Alcatraz Island, and the San Francisco skyline. Then you can relax in Golden Gate Park, and have dinner in China town.
7. Napa, California—Napa Valley is only an hour outside of San Francisco. While you’re there, you can take a hot air balloon ride over the beautiful Napa Valley. Later, enjoy a wine tasting in one of Napa’s famous vineyards.
8. Santa Fe, New Mexico—For a peaceful atmosphere, head to the Ten Thousand Waves Outdoor Hot Tub in Santa Fe. Located close to downtown and the National Forest, this outdoor hot tub has private and public pools with waterfalls and warm and cold temperatures.
9. Seattle, Washington—Feeling adventurous? Go on the Discovery Park Hike in Seattle. This mild to moderate hike is perfect for couples. Bring a picnic lunch and eat at the top while overlooking the Cascades. Later, you can have dinner at the SkyCity restaurant on top of the famous Seattle Space Needle. And be sure to check out the original Starbucks for your caffeine fix for the weekend!
10. New Orleans, Louisiana—Ready to do something unusual with your date this year? Head to the French Quarter in New Orleans and go on a French Quarter Phantoms haunted ghost tour. Later, get your fortunes told on Jackson Square and have a drink in Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop, one of the oldest bars in the U.S.
11. Charleston, South Carolina—For a beach getaway, go on a bike ride around the 7-mile Isle of Palms outside of Charleston. You could also fish in the marina or relax on the beach, which is recognized by the Blue Wave Designation to be environmentally well-managed. At night, stay at the Wentworth Mansion in downtown Charleston, a mansion converted into a hotel that takes you back to small-town life in 1886.
12. Chicago, Illinois—If you can’t decide what to do, head to Chicago for a variety of options. Wander around Navy Pier and enjoy cotton candy, games, a Ferris wheel, and boat tours. Or you could head to Millennium Park for ice skating and free concerts at the Pavilion. Later check out the Art Institute to get your fill of modern art, and have dinner in the Signature Room at the top of the John Hancock Observatory overlooking downtown Chicago.
13. San Diego, California—Sunny San Diego is a perfect destination for fun. The two of you can enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride along the coast Pacific Coast, and then have dinner on cruise over San Diego Bay. While you’re there, don’t miss seeing the pandas at the San Diego Zoo.
14. Las Vegas, Nevada—Finally, what better place to find romance than Vegas? Head to the Bellagio Fountains to see a show of water, music and lights with a mix of opera, classical and Broadway tunes. And if you find yourself ready to take the next step, you could even get married Elvis-style at the Graceland Chapel!
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