Footprints in Nashville -A Birthday Adventure 15 Years in the Making

Kaelin Parker Joy, or KPJ as she’s fondly known, had always felt her 30th birthday would mark something monumental. It wasn’t just the milestone of entering a new decade but the call of an unfinished story—a journey to Nashville, Tennessee, she and her mother, Kristi, had dreamed of taking 15 years ago.

This trip held even more significance. They left just two days after what would have been Kristi’s 59th birthday and on December 30th—the same day Kaelin’s father had passed away 21 years earlier, when she was only nine. It was a bittersweet date that Kaelin’s parents had once spent on one of their rare dates together in Nashville.

Kristi’s love for music and southern charm had planted the seed for the trip when Kaelin was still a teenager. The two had meticulously planned the getaway, poring over maps, circling venues, and laughing about the cowboy boots they’d inevitably buy. But before the trip could happen, Kristi’s life was tragically cut short, leaving Kaelin with memories and a gaping void where her mother’s vibrant traveling spirit used to be.

This year, however, felt different. Kaelin had spent years navigating loss, discovering herself, and weaving her mother’s legacy into her own story. As the calendar flipped closer to her 30th, an idea sparked: she would finally take that trip to Nashville—not alone, but with two of her closest friends, who had become sisters of her heart over the years.

The Road to Nashville

The trio packed into a car early one frosty December morning, the kind where the world feels fresh and full of possibility. Kaelin brought along a worn journal, a relic from her teenage years, filled with her mother’s neat handwriting and plans for the trip.

Kristi had written: “Start at the Grand Ole Opry. End with a dance under the stars.” Kaelin smiled at the thought of her mother’s simple yet grand aspirations.

The road to Nashville was filled with stories, laughter, and the comforting rhythm of tires on asphalt. They played a playlist that Kaelin had crafted, blending Kristi’s favorite songs with her own modern picks. “Jolene” by Dolly Parton became an anthem of the trip, and Kristi’s spirit felt closer with every note.

Exploring Honky-Tonk Bars

Their first night in Nashville was electric. They started with rooftop bars overlooking Broadway—stopping at Dolly Parton’s, Morgan Whalen's, Kid Rock's, Jason Aldean’s, Ole Red’s was Kaelins Favorite view. The music spilled into the streets, pulling them into the city’s vibrant embrace. Kaelin danced on the iconic Coyote Ugly bar, a spot her parents had loved. She felt a strange but comforting connection, imagining her father and mother there years before.

The night was filled with laughter, neon lights, and the kind of carefree joy Kaelin had longed for. She wore bright blue cowboy boots she’d bought earlier that day, clicking her heels on the pavement as they explored. They toasted to Kristi, and her father, and the journey that had brought them there.

New Year’s Eve at the Big Bash

The next day was New Year’s Eve, and the city buzzed with excitement for the Nashville New Year’s Big Bash at Bicentennial Park. Kaelin and her friends now double the troubke all had private dinner reservations at the Brugada, for low and behold... A night under the stars for NYE. they had good drinks, good food and many laughs. Afterwards they got ready for the concert and they arrived early but found themselves at the back of a crowd reaching 200,000 people. Determined, Kaelin turned to her friends and said, “We’re getting up there.” Her friends laughed, thinking it was impossible, but Kaelin had learned from her mom that anything was possible at concerts if you had enough determination.

Armed with a big Jack Daniel’s Downhome Punch, she started weaving through the crowd. It was chaos—elbows, shoves, and lost friends. By the time Kane Brown was on stage, Kaelin had made it halfway. When her best friend Abby gave up to find the others, it was just Kaelin and her friend Nani left.

Kaelin had to pee, but desperation turned her into a concert veteran. She laughed hysterically as she dropped down discreetly in the crowd. Then, she and Nani followed an older woman crawling through the crowd, claiming her as their grandma to get closer. A cowboy with four daughters pretended to be her dad to help her push further.

Finally, they reached the security gate near the front. A towering security guard boomed, “I’ll let one through, and that’s it!” Kaelin shouted, “It’s my 30th birthday at midnight! I need to tell Jelly Roll!” The guard’s stern face softened. “She goes,” he said. When Kaelin begged for Nani to join, he rolled his eyes and relented. They were in.

At 11:53, Jelly Roll was on the stage still with his last song. Kaelin screamed, “It’s my birthday!” and the crowd erupted. Jelly Roll’s uplifting speech about new beginnings and being safe to let go of baggage, carried them into the countdown. Fireworks and confetti filled the sky as Kaelin hugged Nani, tears streaming down her face. “We made it,” she whispered, knowing her mom had guided her there. And it was just there, that her and Nani pushed thru struggle. They had been pushing since Kae's momma passed away 11 years ago. And there they were, the made it. To 2025! Kaelin knew she heard Jelly Rolls divine message for a reason, and she was meant to be right there to hear it. She waved to Jelly and Bunnie as they went off stage, and it was truly, the most remarkable moment.

Broadway Adventures

After the concert, they hopped on a free bus that no one knew the destination of but hey! It was new years! It took them back to Broadway, as they had hoped, hehe.. At Tootsie’s, they charged Kaelin’s phone by the ATM and befriended a security guard. he let them take tootsies purple balloons tied to Kaelin’s scrunchie drew cheers of “Happy Birthday!” from passersby in the street. When Miranda Lambert’s bar wouldn’t allow the balloons, Kaelin made a wish that they would get stuck, and released them. They caught on the sign, and the whole block laughed and cheered.

They ended the night at Waffle House, where her food was announced as “Birthday Girl!” before heading back to their loft, giggling over their wild night. she had met people from all over the world, and had a once in lifetime experience.

Brunch at The Finch

They had met up with Abby's Sister Ashley, and their friend Savanah who was 19. Which was fitting considering Kaelin's mom wanted to name her Savanah after some hippie she had met in tennesse but she said Kaelin didn't look like a Savanah when she was born. They ate brunch at the Finch, which was hands down Kae's favorite restaurants they had gone too. IT was such a beautiful artsy modern vibe, with high old school ceiling in an old building, beautiful random art, huge living plants, little dim laterns, its was quite the ambience. They had mimosas and absolutely amazing food! Then they explored the city a bit and shopped around.

A Lasting Impression

New Year’s Day was spent dancing and exploring Broadway again. Though they never got to share a New Year’s blunt with Jelly Roll, Kaelin’s balloons were still there, a reminder of her unforgettable night. Raising Cane’s remembered her and once again called out “Birthday Girl!” as they handed over her food.

The trip ended with sightseeing, shopping, museums, and hiking. Back home, Kaelin added a new entry to her journal: “We can’t always finish the plans we start, but love has a way of carrying us to where we’re meant to be. Thank you, Mom, for bringing me here, and helping me to still leave your footprints all over the world, thru my own. ”