One Year Ago and Looking Ahead: The Moments We Long for in a Pre- and Post-Covid World
Well, a 2 week lockdown turned into a year, and somehow, it went by in the blink of an eye and in slow motion — all at the same time. I’ve been reflecting lately on how different everything is from a year ago. Where I was. Who I was. I try not to think about the future too much, possibly out of self preservation. No one knows how long it will be before we resume a regular life without face masks and hand sanitizer and questioning if all of our cautionary efforts are actually working. And I don’t know if I’m doing this right. In the words of my dad, “It’s my first pandemic!” But throughout the past year, I kept coming back to this one night. My last slice of “normal.” The night before everything was turned on its head. And I wanted to know what those moments were for you, too, and what moments you find yourselves longing for on the other side of this weird time. So I went to instagram, and as usual, you all really came through.
These are honest, heartfelt, and some even downright shocking accounts of the lives we led only a year ago. Some made me tear up. Some made me laugh. And they all gave me a glimpse into the wonderfully normal existence we all had before a virus changed how we lived our daily lives in even the smallest of ways.
This is proof that it was all real. Proof of everything we had and everything we pressed pause on.
May the stories of our collective experience over the last 12 months brings you comfort, solace, and a glimmer of hope that the things we left behind are only temporarily in the rearview.
Thank you for trusting me with your stories. It’s an honor to be able to share them here.
One of my closest friends was in town, and we went to happy hour at my favorite place I used to go to multiple times a week with my fave group of people. (The bar is now closed, so that was the last time I went.) And then we stopped by a bday party and then went dancing at a cool dance party.
I’m looking forward to traveling to Europe and Australia again and going to weird/cool fashion events.
-Clara L.
We went to the zoo. They even talked us into getting a membership. We rode the carousel, and played forever in the kid area, checked out the petting zoo, and couldn’t wait to come back…then, just like that, the zoo closed. The world closed.
I am looking most forward to traveling. Specifically to New Orleans. I want to be tipsy, people watching, checking out live music, and talking to all of the locals. Literally anyone and everyone that wants to listen or open up. One of my favorite things to do is venturing off the beaten path and seeing who I meet, listening to their stories, learning about their culture. I am craving that…and a beach!
-Rian B.
Mine is not exciting at all, but I have a distinct memory from that last Friday before everything went into quarantine mode (but things were already starting to feel a little weird/scary). On the way out of the office I remember half-joking with my coworkers along the lines of “have a good weekend, hopefully I’ll actually see you all on Monday!”
I did not see them all on Monday. Or for any Monday since (at least not without the use of video chat).
As to what I’m most looking forward to? Going anywhere without constantly feeling liking I’m analyzing the situation through a COVID safety filter. I’m tired of thinking about people not wearing masks or standing too close or even worse, being intentionally belligerent about doing those things. There are enough reasons to think less of the human race already, so I’d love to take general apathy for public health off the table.
-Daniel K.
We saw Celia sing in her class musical, The Musicians of Bremen. Celia was a rooster! 🥰🐓🐔 Also, we went to church. We are close with a lot of people there, and they haven't even met Valerie yet. We haven't had Communion in almost a year. 😔
So yeah, looking forward to going to church, getting to see family whenever we want (I still haven't met my almost 4 month old nephew, Lincoln and my grandma hasn't met either him or Val,) never doing virtual school again 🤞🖕 or wondering if the school board would close schools after a break, going on a date with Brad, seeing movies when they were actually supposed to be released...I could probably write you a book, but I'll leave it at that.
-Kristen S.
The last normal thing I did was go on a real date.
What I am most looking forward to is doing hood rat shit with my friends! And going on a real date with my man, but mostly, I miss my girls!
-Jazz D.
This new “normal” makes the way things used to be feel like a distant memory, so I really had to think. There isn’t one particular moment, but there were acts that are notable. First thing that comes to mind that is really quite simple but what used to be so normal was to try a sip of someone else’s drink...like “Oh this new craft cocktail is divine, try it” and without hesitation, take a sip off the same glass...hell, I’d even take a bite off a friend’s fork...I really miss that small act of intimacy and sharing. I’m also really lovey, so a normal thing for me was always to give a smooch on the cheek like the French, and I miss that normalcy so much. I hope that comes back.
I desperately look forward to affection without fear. Hugs, smooches, a firm hand shake...I also long for the day to sit outside my favorite cafe in France in the sunshine, eating copious amounts of butter, watching the patrons pass by maskless....hell, I might even spark up a ciggy for old times sake.
-Zak C.
The last thing I did was celebrate my 29th birthday with a bunch of people packed into a house eating together. It was such a special night.
I can’t wait to travel abroad! Jon and I planned to go to Europe in 2020, and now we don’t know when that will be possible. It’s going to be the most amazing feeling to see Italy for the first time!
-Elizabeth S.
Right before everything shut down, I went to LA and it was so amazing. I had so many trips planned last year that didn’t happen, but I’m so grateful I got to go to on this one! I also went to the movies to see Emma. I don’t even go to the movies that much, but I miss it SO much now.
I’m looking forward to being able to hug everyone!! 💓💓💓
-Kallie N.
The last normal thing I did was take Waits out for boba (me) and iced tea (him) 😭I think we were on our way to Trader Joe’s for groceries and had a few minutes to kill.
I’m looking forward to working in coffee shops and having the kids back at school in person. Coffee shops provided a change of scenery that helped me focus on work that I can’t replicate moving my laptop around the house, and having both kids at home all day just compounds the lack of focus so much. I would also like to add that my kids also want to be at school. The lack of social interaction this last year has had such a huge effect on their day to day temperament, it truly makes us sad for all the kid time they’ve missed.
-Josh M.
The last thing I did was go to a Preds game. (They won!) We went to a kite festival, too!
I want to throw theme parties for my girlfriends. I miss my girl parties so much! I already have themes lined up! You have to come!
-Sam T.
The last thing I did was go to a movie theatre (my favorite thinggggg). We saw The Invisible Man.
I’m effing looking forward to going back out to eat in restaurants. It’s been literally a year since we’ve been in a restaurant. And traveling, ughhhh.
-Korey S.
It was March 10, 2020. UGA was playing GA Southern in baseball at the Greenjackets stadium in North Augusta. My son-in-law, 4 yr old grandson, and I had seats right behind home plate. We ate hot dogs, french fries, ice cream, peanuts, drank beer (well, my grandson didn’t because he was like 4) and just had a great time at the old ball park. The next day, the GA baseball team’s bus was ordered to turn around, not go to Gainesville, FL to play the Gators but to return to Athens where the baseball season came to an abrupt end. Haven’t been to an event since. Two concerts we were supposed to attend were postponed twice into (now) 2021.
I am looking forward to being in a restaurant with my wife and 6 of our best friends and laughing hysterically and obnoxiously loud while eating and drinking the night away with nothing on my face but a ridiculous smile.
-Mike T.
The last normal thing when life was normal was going to a back yard country wedding where everyone SHARED the Jack Daniels bottle. That was fun. There was a GoPro located on the bottle, and you filmed yourself taking a shot. And I went to Utah to visit my nieces.
I’m looking forward to traveling without the judgment from from friends. It’s not so much doing something, but the feeling of not being bad if I go see my family. I had a friend make me feel bad for flying to my grandpa’s funeral this summer.
-Alethe O.
I was actually on a trip to Nashville for the opening soccer match (Atlanta United vs. Nashville) exactly a year ago! It was so much fun, like 30,000 people in attendance. After I got home, I was almost immediately REALLY sick. By the time March 13th rolled around, when everyone else was being sent home from work, I’d already been staying home for two weeks. I’m pretty sure I had covid in feb 2020 😳 My mom got sick for 2.5-3 weeks immediately following my illness
I’m looking forward to TRAVELING again *safely*
-Caitlin K.
I looked at my calendar for the first week of March 2020, and I did so many normal things. Got a lash fill, went to yoga and Pilates classes, went to the chiropractor. But a really big one was that I sat in a packed auditorium three nights in a row, watching Clark play the lead in Pirates of Penzance/let a bunch of high schoolers spray me with their aerosols for a couple of hours while sharing air with their families.
I don’t know when this will feel over, but I can’t wait to get back to exercise classes, invite people over to our new house, and TRAVEL. This year is our 10 year anniversary, and we’d always planned to do a really special trip, but who knows when other countries will want Americans again, or when we will feel good about going somewhere and being out and about the whole time.
-Rachael F.
The last normal thing I did was have my close friends come hang for a nice spring day. Hammocks, drinks, and a bonfire. It was perfect.
I’m excited to have people over to my house again. I miss sharing projects I've worked on around the house with people in person! Needless to say, I’ve knocked out quite a few over the past year!
-Ashley C.
I went to get tapas with a friend. It was a random sunny and warm day, and we sat outside and slowly ate and drank amidst a SEA of unmasked people.
I’m most looking forward to traveling and introducing my pandemic baby to everyone who hasn’t met him yet!
-Sarah G.
I picked Les up from the airport - he traveled to South Africa and we thought he was going to be stuck there due to weird lockdowns starting to happen. We went out to brunch with his family and enjoyed each other because we figured restaurants would be closed for a little bit. Needless to say, those bottomless mimosas were XTRa special 😛
My most missed thing is a family beach trip to Isle of Palms because we usually spend time in Charleston. Usually we are able to hit a show in downtown Charleston...Last time, it was The Get Up Kids 💕
-Brandy S.
Last normal thing I did in 2020...pap smear!
I’m looking forward to baby chicks! Spring chickens if you will!!!
-Kelsey S.
The last normal thing I did - went to a Cleveland Cavaliers game and a public hockey game!
What I’m looking forward to - no masks, gathering without guilt, hugs, travel!
-Jennie M.
The last thing I did before the world changed, like literally the day before daycare closed and masks became a thing, was go to Trader Joe’s with Penny and Goldie. It was Goldie’s first public outing as a newborn, and it was PACKED. I remember thinking how close everyone was and starting to feel a little paranoid because of the news and because Goldie was so little. It was pajama day at Penny’s daycare. She only started going back 2 weeks ago! They started back up in September, but we weren’t comfortable with it until recently. We went 50 weeks without it.
I’m looking forward to not being afraid all the time.
-Leslie R.
So I just checked, and the last “normal” thing I did was go with my mom to an exhibition Rafael Nadal tennis match in an arena 😳 I also took my daughter to a gymnastics class.
As far as the future, I’m looking forward to getting out of this god-forsaken country again. We were supposed to go to Europe last year so maybe that. Or maybe back to Cuba because it’s cheap and we loved it. Or maybe Costa Rica to do some surfing. Or maybe Mexico City.
-Josh F.
The last "normal thing" I did was go on a bumble date. That date was ok, BUT...later during the pandemic, I met the guy I think I will marry on the same dating app!
Looking forward to just being able to sit inside a coffee shop drinking coffee with a friend. Being able to see my friends’ faces in general. I really do miss faces the most...And as terrible as this sounds, lipstick. Masks are not a friend of lipstick.
-Carolyn J.
Last normal thing we did before the tornado was rent an Airbnb in East Nashville for three nights. We went to see a movie (Avengers) before checking into the Airbnb. The next day we relaxed, had drinks at Village Pub, went to dinner at Folk, then went to Honky Tonk Tuesday at the American Legion. The next day, Wednesday, we ate lunch at Rosepepper and had dinner at Cafe Roze. The Airbnb had a hot tub, but we never used it because it was very rainy. There was also late night drunk McDonald’s mixed in there somewhere. That was the week of Feb 25th. Immediately after the tornado, we pledged the bakery profits to tornado relief and work got nuts. It was the busiest we had ever been. Then the pandemic slid in and we closed the bakery around March 18th.
I’m looking forward to going to Delaware to see my family. We live near the beach. We can drive on to the beach in my Dad’s Scout and spend the day on the Atlantic, then go to a beach bar after. My dad has respiratory issues, so he’s off limits. And my sister has a nine month old boy. We always go to see my brother in DC and see my older nephews while we’re home as well. It’s always a party with my brother. Going to the east coast is magical for us, and we haven’t been since summer 2017.
-Adam C.
The last normal thing I did was come to work. I remember literally like it was yesterday even though it was a friggin year ago. I thought masks were ridiculous and would freak the clients out (obviously before it was a thing), and I remember driving home thinking, “Ok, two weeks and this will be over.”
And truly, truly what I look forward to is seeing faces. Texas’s Governor Asshat is going to make that happen before it’s time, but I really am ready to see my clients’ FACE.
-Britt C.
My last night of normal almost didn’t happen. One of my favorite artists, Verite, was performing in town, and I’d never been able to make it to one of her shows. I almost bailed on going because I had to be at work at 6:30AM the next morning for an 11 hour shift, and that seemed like a rough way to start the week (I take sleep very seriously!). But I rallied and coerced my husband and one of our good friends to meet for dinner and then go to the show. It was a small venue and an intimate crowd, and I sang my heart out to the songs from her recently released album that I adored. It was a perfect night…until a few hours later when an EF-3 tornado ripped through the city, leveling homes, beloved restaurants, concert venues, and other sacred spaces. I remember waking up the next morning trying to process the news. And the guilt I felt for being physically unscathed while some of my friends lost everything they owned, and some lost their coworkers and loved ones. Two weeks later, I lost my job and the world shut down. I don’t really remember anything of note during those two weeks other than my mom’s dog passing 💔 I think for those of us that live in Nashville, we had an early jump on the lockdown. I keep thinking back on that night and how I’m so glad I went. At the time, I didn’t know I would have a whole year to be home and that live entertainment would be one of the main industries impacted (which has been exceptionally detrimental to many of Nashville’s residents).
The things I’m looking forward to most aren’t super out there. I miss the normal stuff. Brunch. Hugging people. Getting Starbucks and wandering around Target on a Saturday with my neighbor. Kissing my friend’s babies. Meeting my friend’s babies! There are so many babies I’ve yet to love on! Coffee dates. I’m definitely a homebody, but I’m not going to be home nearly as much when it’s safe to get back out there!
-Natalie M.
It was my birthday! On Thursday we went out with a huge group of friends from work to Diskin! We even (shudder) shared food! The next day I went with a smaller group of friends to Mas Tacos. The absolutely last time I went out was running to Target because I heard a rumor they had toilet paper. That was the morning of March 15. Haven’t been in a Target since.
I’m looking forward to sitting in a booth at a Mexican restaurant and sharing chips with friends. Eating hot food that I didn’t prepare. Just literally sitting next to ANYONE.
-Hannah J.
The last normal things I did: I went to a Celine Dion concert. I went on a road trip to visit friends and attend the koi and goldfish show in Florida (is that normal?). I celebrated a friend’s birthday with brunch and a donut at a bookstore.
I can’t wait to travel again. Haven’t seen some friends in 2 years.
-Eric P.
Around this time last year, I was planning a work event and going to shows at TPAC.
I’m looking forward to TRAVELING.
-Mackenzie F.
We went to see Collective Soul at the Ryman on 3/2 :) most random fun concert. We got home 2 hours before our building was hit by the tornado. So glad we got to see some live music🙏🏻 Thennnn we got pregnant that week while displaced at a hotel 🤣🤣
I dropped my kid at daycare for the first time this week. If you’d told me a year ago today that I would be talking about daycare, I would have laughed at you. Such a crazy change, but truly a miracle. I’m looking forward to going out to restaurants, or having people over, or just walking in public and seeing faces! I’m looking forward to seeing people be happy❤️🙏🏻
-Carly C.
The last thing I did was put on a social event for work at a hotel in Franklin.
The thing I’m looking forward to the most is get togethers with large groups!
-Tiffany S.
I went on a group fishing trip with the dudes (and I’m actually going again this weekend as the first real thing I’ve done in the last year, because even though it may not be kosher yet, I am “over it”).
I’m looking forward to taking the dogs places like outdoor breweries and letting people actually interact with them...Also, just knowing that everyone’s on the same page with protocols and such…Like right now, there is such a grey area about what is acceptable from one person to the next, and I am over living in that mystery. I want to just be able to ask people to do stuff without it being a thing.
-Jay S.
The last normal thing I did was go to a Post Malone concert at Bridgestone Arena. I also visited my boyfriend while he was on tour with his band, Orthodox. It was his biggest tour yet. I miss live music the most. It bonds us. While I’ve enjoyed seeing artists do live streams, it’s just not as gratifying. Last April, I was supposed to go to Coachella. I was thrilled because Frank Ocean was going to be performing. He’s only performed live under 20 times. First performance since 2016, I believe, and before that it was 2014. It’s a rare occurrence to catch him on stage. My first concert I attended was at 6 months old. I haven’t stopped attending live music since. This is the longest I’ve gone without going to a show in my 26 years.
Also I miss hugging on my loved ones. 🥺
-Annie Rose R.
The last normal things I did were go to a bar crawl with people I work with, go with a big group for Mexican food on Friday night, and see Dan + Shay with my mom.
I’m looking forward to teaching all my kids together, live and in-person, going on field trips, and playing together!
-Kari H.
I went to the gym early in the morning the day of the tornado and drove home watching the sun rise. They were hit by the tornado and then covid came...I can work out in their outdoor gym on occasion when it’s warm outside, but I’ve never been back in that same capacity since.
I can’t wait to see my husband play a show again! It’s been nothing short of torture to watch him spend a year not getting to do what he loves to do/not being able to contribute to our family.
-Courtney W.
The last normal thing I did was go to a concert. Dan + Shay. Literally a day before the shutdown.
I can’t wait for a transatlantic flight. Get me the fuck to Europe stat. I’ll never take travel for granted ever again.
-Natalie L.
I got engaged in January and went on vacation with friends of ours to a lodge in the forest in February. Visited the spa, went swimming, played board games.
Looking forward to having a wedding celebration that feels like a wedding! Seeing friends, being able to hug people, celebrating being married, and going on a honeymoon!
-Loren K.
Right before the shutdown, we went to dinner with friends at Bastion! We also went to the To Nashville, With Love concert benefiting the tornado victims.
We have (postponed) concert tix in July to see The Highwomen at Wrigley! I have no idea if it will happen. It was supposed to be last August. So much stuff got cancelled or rescheduled last year I lost track and focused instead on beast mode survival raising two kids without doing much socializing 😅
-Kelly C.
The last normal thing I did before the pandemic was go see Sonic the Hedgehog in theaters with my brother.
When things can go back to normal, I am looking forward to big events like concerts and conventions where we can attend them with little fear.
-Jacob S.
The last normal thing I did was going on a date with multiple stops. We went to the aquarium, a museum, a nice cocktail bar and dinner, knowing the world was getting ready to shut down. I still think about each of those places and what I was wearing and how it felt to see strangers smile indoors.
I’m most looking forward to dancing with other humans. At a concert or a karaoke bar, maybe I’ll take up salsa dancing! It may be a product of being quarantined alone and being starved for physical touch, but I can’t wait to dance with friends and strangers alike! 💃🏻
-Maggie B.
At the end of February 2020 I flew to San Francisco to meet up with my parents. My mom and I got to drive up to Sebastopol to a vineyard that a friend of mine works at and then spent the night in a tiny home Airbnb, then back to San Francisco to spend time with dad. We even talked about the growing reports of the virus when we were there, and my dad was there for a tech convention. The only safeguards they had in place for it was that no one was allowed to shake hands. It’s wild to look back on because we just had no idea. Within 2 weeks of my flight back to TX everything was shut down.
Can’t wait to travel home to see mom and dad without worrying about accidentally killing them!! Also, I had canceled a trip to Seattle to visit my favorite cousin last May, and I’d love to reschedule that (esp because she had her baby in Sept and I want to meet him!!).
-Hannah R.
The last thing I did was go to a track meet with 200 middle schoolers!
I can’t wait to go on a trip and travel!!
-Brittni F.
The last normal thing I did was go to a crowded Bastion and eat nachos and laugh in a loud, crowded space. I don’t miss it as much as I thought I would, but sometimes I fantasize about being in a crowded bar again and laughing with my whole body with a pack of my girlfriends.
What I’ve missed and CAN’T WAIT to be able to do again...which is so strange, because I’ve done it like 4 times in my life...is go to a small, cozy jazz club like Rudy’s. I want to cozy into a dark corner, drink scotch, and listen to these phenomenal jazz musicians we have in Nashville.
-Jessie W.
One of the last things I did was go to my friend’s bachelorette on March 7th. We went to a painting class and a fancy dinner!!
I’m looking forward to just not talking about covid. I feel like it’s all I or anyone else does!!!
-Amry S.
We went downtown to show some friends Broadway.
I’m looking forward to resuming in-person teaching. (We were home bodies before the pandemic, so the eating out thing is not a big deal for us)
-Katie G.
The last “normal” thing I remember is traveling for work and hosting a Mardi Gras party where a large group of friends gathered and hugged without fear.
I am looking forward to concerts, gathering with friends, hugs, and traveling!
-Trevor T.
I think that last memorable thing I did was attend the Super Bowl championship parade? Literally thousands of people were there. Also, getting to visit my brother and sister in law when their baby was born at the hospital! That was toward the end of February
I’m looking forward to getting together with family and friends, no matter how big the gathering, and not worrying if someone is sick! Also going to group yoga classes. We also had a trip planned to NY that we had to cancel ☹️ So just traveling more in general.
-Olivia O.
The last normal thing I remember was taking my kids grocery shopping with me. I don’t take them anywhere now because they struggle with keeping masks on. So just running errands, with a kid or three in tow.
I can’t wait till my kids can all go back to school. All day. Everyday. I think we all took that time for granted!
-Taylor T.
The last normal thing I did before the world changed was go to a concert. Arlo Guthrie with my dad at The Caverns for his birthday.
The thing I am most looking forward to when the world is normal is also…going to a concert - but also - just hanging out in a big puddle of friends. Being able to visit with family without wearing a mask. Without the awkwardness of them not wearing a mask and me wearing like 3. Lol.
-Rachael M.
I went to Louisville and did the Bourbon Trail with my best friend. Randomly ended up finding the Weinermobile.
I’m looking forward to going to the movies. Does that count? If that's not a cool answer, you need to let me know. Bc I'm super cool.
-Josh H.
Last normal thing I did: went to a HUGE party for work in a tight space, and I had a cold. I HAD to be there and felt fine by that point, but had to leave bc of cough attacks. Like, now that would get me thrown in prison. Sorry guys. 😂😂😂
What I’m most excited for: taking the boys to the mall to go into the toy store and get whatever they want!
-Lindsey H.
I tagged along on a cruise in late January that my husband had to play on and it was 1. a boat the ocean 2. a boat full of people crowded together singing along to bands. and then 3. eating food from 3 fully open buffets. I think a stranger even held our baby 😳 Things I cannot even picture doing now.
I would love to go to a big sweaty concert again with people singing and spraying respiratory droplets all over each other.
-Kate M.
The last thing I did was take my boys to the park.
I want to take them on vacation without worrying about being around too many people. I’m looking forward to just feeling normal.
-Laura B.
We went to Asheville mid February, just me and Erin. Got drunk in public and ate inside restaurants — without masks!
I think the first thing I’d like to do is some sort of family getaway, either with friends or even just the family, but get away from this stupid apartment and give the kids a fun experience.
-Kyle T.
I helped clean up after the tornado at Donelson Christian Academy. Their building was demolished! I sorted, packed, and passed out non perishable food to communities in East Nashville. Wild that’s the last thing I did (other than we did go to school til March 11).
If I’m totally honest, I’m just looking forward to not wearing a mask to teach all day. I want to see those little faces!
-Ashley P.
The last normal thing we did was go to Mexico together before my dude’s busy work schedule started again, and then he went out on tour.
I am looking forward to being able to travel internationally again and for him to be able to go back out on the road full time.
-Britt M.
The last thing we did was visit my family in Southern Cali. I haven’t seen my mom in so long. I can’t wait until she gets her vaccine and I can squeeze her again. Bodhi is her only grandchild, so this has been incredibly difficult.
So yes, family. Looking forward to so much family time. 🥺
-Allie M.
My last normal night was at the Ryman where it was shoulder to shoulder, singing along watching Ruston Kelly perform.
I’m ready for LIVE SHOWS!!! Also, I’ll take a packed church at this point, too.
-Rebecca W.
The last thing I did was have a girls night. It was karaoke in the basement of a bar in Highlands. It was epic and I’m so glad!!
I’m looking forward to having all my people in one place. I miss a crowded table.
-Asheton F.
The last normal thing was somewhat abnormal. We were cleaning up after a tornado that ripped through our neighborhood. The abnormal part was the tornado. The normal part was neighbors loving on neighbors.
I can’t wait to get back to that, to eat with people, to hug them.
-Crystal T.
Do you have a memory you frequently return to from before the pandemic? Feel free to share in the comments.
Thank you again to everyone who participated in this post.
Sending so much love your way. We’re in the homestretch. I can feel it.
