Play by Play Day by Day with Amy Lawrence

You haven’t lived until you’re stuck at a travel plaza in rural Virginia with 11 teens, gobs of luggage and a broken-down sprinter van, 325 miles from home.😜 Thankfully, the owner of a local transport company agreed to drive us back to New Jersey late that Saturday evening. But not before we spent eight hours answering the phone, babysitting suitcases and watching the world go by.

This summer’s adventure was a first for us–as a married couple with a diverse group of high school students. When our church asked us to lead the 11-day trip, we were excited for a new opportunity to serve but also faced a lot of unknowns. Neither of us had ever led a short-term missions team comprised of *only* youth, and it was a learning experience from start to finish. We are confident we picked up critical lessons for parenting in the future!

Halfway through the trip, we started a list of precious moments from our journey so we wouldn’t forget them. Our favorite interaction took place at Kingdom Come State Park in Cumberland, Kentucky. Our hosts, Heritage Ministries, organized a fishing day for kiddos with poles, bait and lunch. I even had the chance to bake cookies for the occasion! As the grill heated up, a little boy arrived with an older woman. My husband and I made sure they had food and snacks and asked their names. Six-year-old Oscar appreciated the meal, but more than anything, he just wanted to fish. My husband got him set up and showed him how to cast his line; before long, Oscar was pulling a colorful bluegill out of the lake, hopping around in happiness. We were grinning ear to ear with him!

We heard a little of Oscar’s story from his guardian who he calls “Ma.” She was only supposed to take care of him for two months; that was 2.5 years ago. Sweet Oscar suffered years of abuse and trauma before he was removed from his home. Now Ma is struggling to make ends meet and provide for his needs. We were able to offer her all the leftover food from our cookout and retrieve a large box of supplies from the Heritage food pantry. When she got teary, I did, too. I’m so thankful we crossed paths with them. What a blessing to see their joy on that beautiful day!❤️

Along with a few students, I’d spent time packing boxes at the pantry earlier in the week. Sharing the food with Oscar and Ma added extra-special meaning to the task. Another memorable experience featured a shopping trip for a blended family of ten! Our host asked a handful of us to help her select fresh and frozen items, dairy products, kids’ snacks, cereals, even ice cream. We loaded up two shopping carts and then her vehicle and delivered the bags and a large food box to a police officer’s family. His wife was overwhelmed by the generosity and groceries. We enjoyed talking to her and seeing her smile. I also loved the emotion of the high schoolers as they put a face and story with their service.

Heritage Ministries also organizes a Christmas drive for kids and families, with preparation taking place behind the scenes year-round. The Empty Stocking Fund provides roughly 1,200 gifts and 600 food boxes annually to members of the community in need. Most of the girls spent a few hours wrapping presents for kids of all ages, from infant to 18. Other students pitched in to organize donations at the surplus store and load vehicles for delivery. https://heritagemin.org/empty-stocking-fund

Every member of our Kentucky team spent time building an addition to a shed that will serve as a tiny home for a couple living in a bus. After losing their house and property in a shady deal, they only had enough money to buy a small shed, but the Heritage crew was working hard to double the size of the shed so they could be more comfortable. On Monday, the floor, frame and roof were all that existed. By Friday, the structure had an extended ramp, PLUMBING, siding, insulation and drywall. My husband relished his conversation with the couple as he worked on their home. He was touched by their faith and determination to forgive the man who swindled them, despite their circumstances. After he shared their story with me, I couldn’t wait to reach the job site and spend a day working with the team (while learning some new skills).

In Harlan County, Kentucky, deep in the Appalachian Mountains, black bear encounters are fairly common. Multiple times during the week, we spotted bears in and around town. We were warned about staying off the hill behind our house because two mommas and their cubs lived up in the woods. I saw the large momma with one of her babies crossing the road a couple houses down from us early in the week. But Friday’s experience is the one I won’t forget. The smaller momma and all three cubs emerged from the trees up on the hill. Only two of us were in the house at the time; when she spotted them, she came racing to find me. We watched as momma cautiously sniffed the air before leading the way down to our porch, her babies bouncing all around her. Would you believe they licked a spot on the ground where a student had dumped grease after cooking the night before?! Then they found a lunch bag left on the porch. Momma grabbed the sandwich, while the cubs tore into the bags of crackers and cookies and even a Capri Sun, ha!

The two of us stood silent and motionless behind a glass door on the porch while the bears enjoyed their free meal. At one point, momma stood up on her hind legs to smell a couple dish towels left out to dry. She also looked right at us through the glass, though it didn’t seem like she could tell we were there. What an experience, watching them from a couple feet away for 10 minutes!

Our Kentucky adventure was so different than what we expected for a zillion reasons. Both my husband and I have asked God to show us what He wants us to take away from the experience and how to use the many lessons as we move forward. I choose to remember this trip in the people and priceless moments. We are so grateful to our hosts and their team for their grace and hospitality and humor. And we are determined to visit the longtime coalmining mountain haven of Lynch again in the future.🧡

It’s a frequent question from radio listeners: what’s the most memorable moment of your career? After 25+ years on air, you might think I’d have a tough time choosing only one. From the Super Bowl Sundays to the nights crowning champions to dozens of interviews with headliners and Hall of Famers plus the sweet personal milestones and stories I’ve shared with my audiences–how can I possibly narrow it down?

Honestly, one moment in my broadcasting journey stands heads and shoulders above the rest. I remember the details like the event happened yesterday. Yet this May marks 14 years since the honor of a lifetime.

It was a Sunday, the first evening of the month. I was working as the studio host for ESPN Radio’s Sunday Night Baseball, though I couldn’t tell you which two teams were playing or in what city. I remember the studio I was using and the corner where I settled in with my microphone, notes, desktop and TV monitor. Except the action on the field didn’t matter very long. With a couple innings in the books, the producers and I noticed breaking news alerts on our computers. There was very little information; initially, only a line. But within minutes, we realized we needed a plan.

After conferring with the producer and announcers at the stadium, we decided it was imperative to cut into programming as soon as they could manage it. The play-by-play announcer would toss back to me in the studio, and I would share the intel we had. I’m confident it was only a few minutes before they had a chance to set me up; it felt like an eternity while we were waiting in Bristol. I was so nervous that I started shaking. At one point, my teeth even chattered. I couldn’t mess this up! The magnitude of the moment and the historical significance were like a heavy weight. When they tossed back to me in studio, I heard my name and turned on the mic.

“The Associated Press is reporting that Osama bin Laden is dead. Again, breaking news from the A-P. Osama bin Laden has been killed.”

On May 1, 2011, almost a decade after the terror attacks that killed nearly 3,000 Americans, the mastermind of 9/11 was finally dead! What a privilege to be the voice who broke this incredible news to hundreds of thousands of people listening that night. Since our baseball game was a “main channel” broadcast, ESPN Radio wasn’t offering any other programming that night. Anyone listening to the network heard the news from me. Wow. Sometimes, I still can’t wrap my mind around that fact.

Over the next couple hours, every few minutes, the announcers would call on me to share the news. I would break in with whatever details we could find, always with the same urgency. As the night unfolded, the White House confirmed the reports. We found out SEAL Team Six was responsible for the raid in Pakistan, early on the morning of May 2nd, local time. And then we watched as thousands of Americans flooded the streets in major cities to celebrate this historic occasion. In studio, we engaged in our own fist pumps and shouts of joy! After a decade of intelligence, military operations, empty searches and near misses, the United States could finally herald the death of a man responsible for so much loss and pain and grief.

Roughly five years later, I met a radio listener who recalled hearing me break the news on the air. In fact, that’s how he found out! He didn’t know about bin Laden until my announcement in the middle of the baseball game. To actually talk to someone who heard it from me–it drove home the significance of that night all over again. I still get chills when I share the story, and I always love answering the question of favorite career moment. Nothing will ever trump those few hours when sports took a backseat as the nation experienced collective joy and relief, even as we remembered the horrors and tragedies from a decade prior.

I think about that moment periodically, and it still gives me pause. In May 2011, I had no idea I would spend more than 12 years commuting into lower Manhattan and working mere blocks from the 9/11 Memorial and the Freedom Tower. I didn’t know I would see the New York City skyline almost daily, but I am so thankful for the proximity to Ground Zero. It serves as a constant reminder of the catastrophic losses as well as the heroism, bravery, courage and immeasurable sacrifices of our first responders and military on that day and the months and years to follow. Thank you again!❤️

What a clever suggestion from a listener about what to name my next radio venture! As I close a proud chapter in my career, I am astounded at the response. THANK YOU for your interest, for caring about me personally and professionally, and for reaching out to tell me the show will be missed. My decision was not made lightly nor on a whim. It wasn’t simple or easy. Nearly two years of prayer and thoughtful consideration were poured into this change.

When After Hours with Amy Lawrence moved to weeknights, I told myself I would do five years in that time slot and then figure out the next step. Haha! There WERE several opportunities to change day parts, but each time, I opted to stay put. We had solid momentum for over a decade–building the audience and establishing a more personal connection. I enjoyed the creative process, and we were generating new ideas. As a host, I was learning and growing, and I knew the show was “routine” for listeners all over North America. When I signed a 3-year deal in January of 2022, I appreciated the stability and consistency. I don’t regret that choice, but so much has changed since then.

Like many other industries, the media world has faced drastic cuts in the last few years. In radio, entire shows and stations are getting wiped out. I understand the economics, but they can be applied with brutal effects. Fewer and fewer people are being asked to shoulder more and more of the load. After Hours was not immune. In the fall of 2020, we were stripped down to one producer. Coming out of the pandemic, very few people worked in the building at night which meant little support behind the scenes. More than once, we had equipment malfunctions and no engineer available. You can imagine how that went.

You’ve probably heard the metaphor of the duck floating serenely and peacefully on the water while frantically paddling underneath. That was me the last several years, taking on tasks and responsibilities that wouldn’t normally be mine to manage. But to come anywhere close to my high standards, I had to try. I spent hours each week and precious time each night scrambling to keep it all together and NOT let the added stress affect the on-air product. But eventually, that’s impossible, right? Ultimately, I realized I had to focus more on the content and ME on the air since that’s what matters most to listeners. Sadly, various features, production, imaging, social media, promotion, the YouTube channel all became outdated or stale or suffered from a lack of attention. It hurt me to know the quality of the show was slipping, that the fun elements I loved were falling by the wayside.

I certainly can’t blame producers for wanting different hours, support from managers or the occasional raise. But the revolving door of people working on the show meant non-stop training and dialing back on what we could do. Creative ideas are only as good as the ability to implement them. As discouraged and frustrated as I felt, I did the best I could to maintain the caliber of the show with genuine and frank discussion, humor, off-beat topics and material, engaging interviews and enthusiasm every night. But often, it felt like a battle I couldn’t win.

As a night owl, the hours weren’t overly difficult until the last 18 months. The lack of regular sleep and constantly flipping my schedule finally took their toll. Even before I got married, I was struggling to keep my priorities in line and maintain a healthy balance. The extra obligations and the non-stop cycle were all-consuming. As far back as summer 2023, I told two managers I couldn’t sign another contract for overnights. I was hopeful the company would take me seriously and see my value as a host. Not the case. I’m not even sure they believed me.

When I received an offer to continue with the status quo last December, I turned it down. I told them I would work through the Super Bowl for the sake of our affiliates and the loyal After Hours audience. As I rejected the offer, a huge weight slid off my shoulders. I’ve had peace about the decision since then. No second-guessing, no wondering if this is the right choice, simply a desire to handle the last 7 weeks with professionalism and a commitment to the craft.

Crazily enough, managing the final month-and-a-half of the schedule was excruciating. Even after huge games or breaking news, it was a struggle to get out of the house. Often, I’ve wondered how the heck I did this for 12 years. Including my stretch at ESPN Radio which was mostly nighttime shifts, I’ve spent nearly two decades as a vampire, ha.🙃

Funny story: when After Hours moved off Friday and Saturday nights to begin 2015, I recall thinking “What’s the big deal about working weekends?” I had Wednesdays and Thursdays off; that was my weekend. But after a couple months, I realized how neat it was to share actual weekends with family and friends, to have more of a social life and be able to teach kiddos at church on Sundays. I believe the same will be true as I leave the overnights. No more staying awake 36+ hours when I travel or returning from trips and going right to work. No more 16-hour stretches of football Sundays into Monday morning shows, phew.

For years, I’ve read articles about how working overnights is detrimental to your health. And for years, I laughed at that idea and determined that I would be the exception to the rule. Training for and running half marathons kept me moving; so did Penny and her strict routine from which she rarely strayed. A few years ago, I went back to reading fiction before bed to settle my mind. That practice continues to bring me joy. But the schedule became more and more demanding with less and less time each week for activities that I love, like playing golf and sitting down at my piano or hanging out with a group of friends.

Since December 2023, my husband and I have navigated opposite schedules and all the challenges that come with working and sleeping at different times. I am grateful for his support and grace and sacrifices with the pets and TV remote, ha. A few months ago, as I considered the end of After Hours, it dawned on me that every decision and move I’ve made since college put career goals first. Now after 25 years of praying and waiting for a partner and spouse, it’s a privilege to finally put my personal life first.❤️ The goal is to get healthier in every way: physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually AND professionally.

I LOVED my job for the last 12+ years! I am incredibly thankful for the opportunities and experiences, even the sacrifices and the toughest obstacles. And THAT is how I survived. There’s a verse in the Bible that resonates with me when it comes to work. “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10b) Radio is my first love and all I’ve ever wanted to do since I was 16 years old. The joy God gave me for being on the air and hosting a show translated to energy and enthusiasm and propelled me forward, despite the hazards.

I will forever consider the jump to CBS Sports Radio the best career decision I ever made. When Mark Chernoff and Eric Spitz hired me in late 2012 and told me they just wanted me to be “Amy,” their confidence changed me as a host. I was determined to reward their faith in me. And of course, I was also driven to prove the doubters wrong. (That’s not a fair fight anymore.😜)

This is also my tribute to the family and friends who lifted me up when the hours and routine were a grind. I can’t tell you how much it means to hear them say they’re proud of me.❣️ They’re the ones who’ve encouraged me to take this leap of faith and who tell me over and over I need to be ready for the next open door. The hardest part of this whole process is feeling like I’m letting the listeners down. You’ve counted on me and relied on the show for company, conversation, connection, humor, escape, distraction and so much more. I trust you to find me again when I return to the airwaves. Thank you for the unwavering support. It kept me going for a long time.

I hope you’ll read these words and know my heart and understand why I need change in my personal and professional life. We can still connect via “Twix” @ALawRadio or via the Facebook page. Maybe I can even figure out the YouTube channel and post a video soon, ha. I look forward to sharing news and next steps as we move forward in 2025. Amy Xo

It’s hard to believe, but “After Hours” just turned 12! As we marked another anniversary, I realized I’ve hosted more than 2900 shows since the network launch in 2013. Some of you claim to be listeners since the beginning. Amazing! And THANK YOU! In large part, you are the reason the radio show has been successful for so long.🎉

One of my new favorite adventures is teaching future broadcasters at the university level. I’m looking forward to my third term as adjunct professor in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at my alma mater Syracuse. What a cool opportunity to pass along some of the wisdom I’ve collected over 25+ years in the radio and TV industry!🧡 In addition to my course, “The Art of Sports Talk,” I enjoy serving as a guest speaker in other college classrooms, conferences and mentoring programs.

When teaching or speaking to groups, I often field questions about the process of constructing a quality program. How do I do it? What kind of “tips” can I offer? While there are countless ways to entertain over the airwaves, I’ve come up with a handful of concepts that work for me. “Good” sports radio is subjective and can be defined a zillion ways. What appeals to one listener in Alabama may not appeal to another in Oregon. What a guy in Phoenix finds interesting might not hold any interest for a woman in Cleveland. A topic that resonates with a college student could be boring or annoying for a retiree.

The consistent challenge of hosting a nationally syndicated show is figuring out how to incorporate more people in the conversation. Of course, I like to smash glass ceilings and challenge norms; so in most cases, I don’t stick with convention, ha. Radio is NOT “one size fits all. From the last 12 years of trying and failing and growing as a host, I’ve compiled a list of twelve guidelines I always keep in mind.

• Criticize actions and choices, not people. The athletes, coaches, GMs, owners and commissioners we cover all worked really hard to get where they are. Most of them poured in time and effort over years to pursue their dreams. They sacrificed and practiced and committed and suffered to be in the arena. They may screw up and fail in HUGE moments; I may not agree with their choices or decisions. But people are not trash! Even kickers deserve respect for making it to the show. I can acknowledge their mistakes and miscues without calling them names or saying they suck. I try to criticize actions instead of taking aim at people and making my opinions personal.

• Redemption stories always resonate. As a society, we LOVE a good comeback! We’re drawn to people who get knocked flat but find a way to get back up and try again. Alex Smith returned to the NFL after life-threatening injuries and extensive rehab and recovery. Klay Thompson won another ring after missing two years. University of Virginia men’s basketball made dubious history as the first top seed ever to lose to a 16, only to win the title a year later. Athletes and coaches get blamed, cut, fired and dumped; when they later end up winners or champions, their stories are worth highlighting. We can all relate to second chances and appreciate people who capitalize on theirs.

• Know your audience. Take time to figure out who’s listening and how and when and where. As a national host, I can’t possibly create or deliver interesting content if I don’t know who’s tuning in. And audiences change over time. When I first started in this business, men made up the vast majority of sports radio listeners. Maybe that’s still true for some shows, but not mine. Just as sports leagues target female fans more and more, I know a large chunk of my audience is women (which I love)! They enjoy listening to someone who’s a lot like them.❤️

• Life would be incredibly boring and stale if we all agreed. It’s alright if we don’t see eye to eye. I don’t need everyone to agree with me all the time, and I don’t feel threatened by people who don’t. I will tell you where I stand and why I believe my opinions are justified. I’ll lay out my arguments to try to persuade and convince you on merit. I love a lively discussion and energetic debate (that doesn’t get personal). When people talk, good things happen! That’s the “After Hours” motto. But if we don’t share the same perspective, I’m okay with that, too.

• It’s fine to admit I don’t know or I say I was wrong. To err is human. Just like athletes and coaches, I make mistakes. I recall information incorrectly, mispronounce names, juxtapose numbers and dates, and say dumb stuff. I also find myself in situations when I don’t have the answers or can’t remember. It’s impossible to be right 100% of the time or communicate perfectly over 20 hours of live radio per week. It’s humbling. But imperfection is both authentic and relatable, so I embrace the suck, ha!

• Connection is the ultimate goal. The spring of 2020 hammered this home like nothing else could. Working solo in the corner of a spare bedroom during a pandemic without sports led to a seismic shift in my perspective. More than ever, connecting with people across the airwaves and miles became my top priority. Sports bring us together despite our differences; I want my show to do the same. Finding common ground, staying genuine and reliable, looking on the bright side, offering hope and encouragement, sharing my life with listeners–these build true connections.

• Do NOT stick to sports. What terrible advice to give a radio host. Are there times when I talk wall-to-wall football or basketball or breaking news? Of course. Do I need to dedicate my show exclusively to sports every second? Heck no. We are not one-dimensional as humans. We juggle a myriad of responsibilities, roles, interests, hobbies, challenges and demands on our time. Stories about moving, my latest chili concoction, the neighbor’s obnoxious light, nearly choking at Thanksgiving dinner, bad dates, travel headaches, cookie recipes, running half marathons, my nieces, my faith, Grammy Helen, Penny, finally getting married after years of waiting–listeners can hear I’m just like them in many ways. I could offer the most brilliant opinion or analysis, but that’s not what resonates and sticks. Sharing my heart is how I cultivate relationships, even over the radio.

• There is no shortcut to experience. I can teach and train; I can tell aspiring broadcasters how I do what I do. But the only way to truly find a style and unique identity is to practice! Reps are the key. The number of times I’ve tried and failed or fallen short of my goals probably equals the number of times I’ve successfully carried out a plan or implemented new ideas. But along my journey, I’ve decided I’m not afraid to mess up. When I stumble or make a fool of myself, it’s not the end of the world. Learn from the mistakes and chalk it up to valuable experience. Then try again!

• Social media is not real life. In fact, it’s neither social nor actual media. Use it sparingly. It’s a tool to connect with people outside of the show, an opportunity to promote what I’m doing on air. Each site represents a minor percentage of the listening audience, so the reaction, positive or negative, is rarely an accurate gauge of the whole. The term “brain rot” refers to mindless scrolling. Don’t overestimate the lasting value of clicks or likes or impact and put social media on a pedestal where it doesn’t belong. (Social media’s redeeming quality is animal videos.😜)

• Take time off. Such a critical lesson I needed to learn for the sake of creativity and career longevity. So many media people deal with severe FOMO. I carried similar anxieties during early on, especially when I broke into network radio. I was afraid to take time off or truly check out in case I missed something. Even when I was away, I kept tabs. Not anymore! I finally understood sports aren’t going anywhere; they’ll be waiting when I get back, ha. Now I tune out when I can. I rarely watch sports “for fun,” except when I attend games in person. Instead, I use vacations and days off to give my mind and soul a break from sports. That allows me to return to work refreshed and rejuvenated and reenergized.

• Choose your battles. Not every battle is worth fighting. Not every hill is worth dying on. Not every conflict is worth your time and energy. A crucial truth from the last 12 years and the best piece of advice I can pass on. Be selective in responding to opposition and criticism. Most of it won’t matter tomorrow. Choose wisely when it comes to taking a stand. Defend the principles and values that matter most to you. Don’t waste your time arguing with fools.

There are hundreds of other lessons and tips and wisdom I could write down. Maybe someday I will! For now, my Syracuse students get the payload. As a bonus: I am convinced we agree on nothing in this country except football…and dogs!😍

I’m not even remotely the same host I was when we launched “After Hours” more than 12 years ago. Thank you for caring about me beyond the radio show! Thank you for sharing this ride. And stay tuned for some big news coming soon! Amy Xo

“Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.” 💙💙

When it was finally my turn to walk down the aisle last winter, that timeless advice for brides resonated with me. As much joy and excitement surrounded our December date, there were unmistakable holes in my heart, almost like voids. How I wished I could have shared that day with my grandmothers, Mary Elizabeth and Helen Eugenia Genevieve. I decided to use that old English poem with its four elements to honor them and take them with me on wedding day.

It’s hard to comprehend that we said farewell to Grammy Helen more than two years ago. In some ways, it feels like yesterday that I spoke to her; in other ways, it feels like forever. So much of my life has changed since the summer of 2022. Meeting my future husband, getting to know him long distance, accepting his proposal, planning our wedding weekend, celebrating with family and friends, moving him from Texas, starting our life together–the last two years have been sweet and memorable with countless prayers answered. Of course, I wouldn’t change the events, but I still miss Grammy with my whole heart. How much I wanted to see and hear her joy after all the times she told me I “better hurry up” and get married, ha.

My cherished childhood memories of summertime revolve around traveling to visit my grandparents in northeast Ohio and central Wisconsin. I vividly remember family get-togethers, cookouts and other big meals, games in their backyards, late nights with cousins, laughter and lots of joy. July was the month we celebrated the wedding anniversary of my maternal Grandma and Grandpa. One of my favorite days ever was centered around the large outdoor party Mom threw for their 50th.❤️

My grandmothers were my biggest champions, and I loved making them proud. I am incredibly grateful they lived to 91 and 100 which allowed us precious extra time with them. What a wonderful experience it would have been to share the plans, the ring, the flowers, the dresses, the nerves, the emotions and the joy. They would have been very special guests with places of honor (and so many photos). Instead, I carried them with me in a different way.

Except for my engagement ring, all of the jewelry I wore on wedding day came from my grandmothers. When my mom’s mom passed away the week after 9/11, she wore only her wedding ring from 1930. My mother let me keep it after her funeral, and I very rarely take it off. For more than two decades, I’ve had the delicate, thin platinum band on my right ring finger. It’s been with me everywhere except Africa; Mom made me leave it behind because she didn’t want me to lose it. Something old.🤍

In 2020, when I bought my house, the fam arrived (like the cavalry) to help me unpack and Mom brought a surprise: Gram’s ring that was a gift from my grandfather. I cherish both pieces and wore them together on my right hand when I walked down the aisle. I also wore a pair of her silver studs as my second earrings, something borrowed from Mom’s jewelry box on wedding weekend.

My paternal grandmother preferred costume jewelry in BRIGHT colors like blazing yellow, hot pink and vibrant turquoise. Grammy Helen was almost always dressed in rich and flamboyant shades! (I’m fairly certain she passed her love for radiant colors onto me.) When she died, my uncle let me go through her jewelry and choose a few pieces. Of course, I grabbed some loud chunky necklaces and Christmas pins. I also found a pair of silver hoop drop earrings with black etchings. I’d never seen them before, and I wondered if they were a gift for a special occasion. I wear them all the time now, and they were perfect for my wedding dress.

Just one more piece of jewelry was necessary: a necklace. For Grammy’s 100th birthday, my brother’s family gave her a delicate silver chain with a petite sapphire pendant and matching earrings. I helped her put them on that evening–April 6th, 2022. In the days that followed, she wore them proudly. The last time I saw her in person, she was wearing them. After she died, I found the necklace among her belongings. When I told Matthew, he said I should keep it. Something blue.💙💔

My grandmas were a tag-team when it came to flowers. I was ALWAYS going to adore bright blooms because flowers made each of them so happy. They cultivated plants and pots of all shades and sizes during the growing months; they could sit and watch their flowers and find great contentment and peace. The last few years with Grammy Helen, I was forever sharing photos of the various flowers in my own yard. My something new for the wedding might have been their favorite element: a bouquet of deep purple flowers with ivory and silver accents. I would have made sure they had special bouquets to carry, too.

The first nine months of marriage have flown by in a blur! When people ask me what married life is like, I am honest. It’s challenging. And the transition was HARD! I will readily admit I was naive about the adjustment after years of living alone, ha. I would have called my grandmothers dozens of time for their counsel and to ask for their wisdom; they would have given it to me without sugar-coating. Both were fairly blunt (another way I take after them). On those days when I’ve wondered if I was the worst wife in the world, they would have listened, shared a few stories of their own and told me to buck up! And we would have laughed. They were always laughing, just one more way I am like my Grandma Mary and Grammy Helen.

Both my grandmothers could dance! What sweet moments we would have enjoyed on the dance floor with our families all around. When we are finally together again in heaven, I will dance with each of them and tell them how I honored them and kept them close on wedding day. And I will thank them in person for the years and years of prayers answered on December 17, 2023.💜

“You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are grey. You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you. Please don’t take my sunshine away.” 🧡🧡

I sang that tune to Penny so many times over the last 12 years…not only because she was my sunshine, but because she always responded to my voice. Truthfully, I talked to her more than any human except for Mom. Twelve years ago this week, I adopted Penny from a rescue shelter in Maryland. I actually took another Aussie mix home with me first; but within 24 hours, I knew she couldn’t co-exist with my cats. Penny (who they were calling ‘Angelica’) had only been at the shelter for a month; she had heartworm and was still going through treatment. But she was sweet and happy and enthusiastic and ready to go!

We were inseparable from the beginning. Everywhere I went, other than work or Sunday church, Penny went with me. When I adopted her, I lived in a townhouse in the Connecticut woods. We walked and climbed and explored and hiked all over the area. She had a TON of energy, so she kept me moving. From long trail runs to woodsy hikes to wide-open parks to road trips and even the weekly grocery shopping, she couldn’t wait for our next adventure. She loved being in the car and didn’t mind waiting for me to finish the errands. She always knew I would find a place for her to jump out and zoom around.

Boy, could she run! Penny would stretch out full speed to chase a ball or neighborhood squirrels or ME! When she wasn’t looking, I would sneak behind a soccer goal or softball dugout or the car, and we raced around and around until she caught me. She was always barking, and I was always laughing out loud. No doubt people thought we were crazy, ha.

Penny ADORED the sand and the snow! The happiest moments in her life came during beach getaways and snowstorms. Her favorite activity was to stop, drop and ROLL over and back multiple times. When she scrambled upright, she would promptly plunge her face into the sand or snow. When she raised her head, it was piled up on her nose and stuck to her face. After every beach trip, it took me weeks to get all the sand out of her coat, but it was worth the effort for her joy.🤩

It didn’t matter how brutal the cold or bitter the winds; Pen still wanted her walks. Our second winter in New Jersey, we had several feet of snow dumped on us in February. It didn’t melt for weeks because of the cold. I will never forget our chilliest dog walk of all time: in -27 degree wind chills! Of course, Pen was trotting around like it was the middle of spring. The neighbors called me “last man standing” since nobody else would brave those temps. The colder and snowier, the better for my crazy canine. I hadn’t seen Pen drop and roll in the snow or the grass (another favorite pastime) in more than a year…until last month. She did both, and she was in her element. I couldn’t help but giggle at her, like always.

Since Pen was always game for adventure, we traversed the country and traveled up and down the eastern seaboard for 12 years. Vacations, long weekends, work trips and holidays–she always had the whole back seat along with her blankets and supplies. Four round trips to Houston (3400 miles); countless jaunts to the DC area; Richmond; Baltimore; Atlanta more than once; Boston, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and the rest of New England; northeast Ohio; western New York; a pair of vacations in North Carolina and three to South Carolina. I loved going places with my girl! About four years ago, I bought a ramp to help her in and out of the car. After a few days of refusing to go anywhere near it, she decided to be brave and follow where her mom led her.

I am SO thankful I didn’t know my life and career would take a drastic turn at the end of 2012. Just nine months after I adopted Penny, we left Connecticut and moved to the New York City metro when I accepted the CBS Sports Radio gig. If I had any clue about the upheaval and change and chaos awaiting us, I would have delayed adding a dog to the family. But God knew I needed her, so His timing was perfect.❤️

That was far from His only gift through my incredible dog. Penny walked with me through the toughest 10 years of my life: new job, new city, new church, four different moves, upside down schedule, Mom’s relocation to Texas, holidays away from family, solo vacations, solo pandemic, the loss of Grammy Helen, the death of several close friends and an 18-year-old cat (Penny’s BFF), and the kind of loneliness that felt like a heavy weight. She made it a little easier.

Calm, sweet, sensitive, funny, loyal and happy–every time I opened the door to our house or apartment, her enthusiastic greetings and the hugs (she tolerated them) gave me perspective and joy. The load was always lighter with Penny. Taking care of her and the rest of the zoo gave me purpose and prevented me from focusing too much on myself. She rarely left me alone. She was almost always hot on my heels, watching and paying attention, especially after she lost her hearing. Instead of listening, that smarty-pants learned my hand signals.

With her “dogged” commitment and determination, she would have followed me anywhere. But the last six months, it became tougher and more challenging for my sweet girl. Because she would NEVER give up or stop trying, I had to make the painful decision to say good-bye. As much as I cried, I will always cherish the final week with her. Knowing what was coming, I showered her with extra love and affection and care and prayed earnestly she could hear me talking to her until the last seconds.

Penny ran my life and my schedule for 12 years. Since I found her right before I moved to New Jersey, I don’t know a routine here without her. I am so thankful she is no longer struggling, but this hole in my heart may never be filled. Honestly, I’m not sure I want to fill it. Pen was special and unique, the perfect puppy for me. God hand-picked her for me because He knew exactly what I needed. There will never be another Penny.💔

As I’ve shared with family and friends, I am amazed by how many people loved her. That includes my husband. He and Penny bonded from their first meeting. She gave me her approval right away. In fact, she may have enjoyed his company more than mine over her final six months.❤️ Last week came the revelation that losing her would have been infinitely more difficult without him (and his puppy) in the house now. Pen kept going and took care of me until she knew I wasn’t alone anymore.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (Bible verse from James 1:17)

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope your week is full of family and friends (or friends who are like family), food, fun, football and faith.🧡🦃

For me, the official start to the holiday season feels enormously different this fall. It gives me pause to contemplate what I was battling and how I was feeling a year ago–the prayers I lifted up and the hopes and dreams I refused to let go. Life has changed dramatically, and there are more changes on the horizon. However, the changes aren’t the ones some of you are expecting.

I will readily admit that I never anticipated so many QUESTIONS when I shared the news of my engagement in August. I knew I would receive kind words and well-wishes on my show and social media, but I wasn’t prepared for the burning curiosity, ha. You know it killed the cat, right?!😜

Of allllll the questions I’ve fielded, a few of them pop up repeatedly. Oddly enough, people persist in asking if I will keep my name or take the last name of my future husband. (This is absolutely the most popular question from male colleagues.) The most common inquiries revolve around my future: will I be moving, and will I leave radio? The latter blows me away. As I think about the men at my company who’ve gotten married recently, I am confident NONE of them was asked about giving up their radio shows after their weddings.

My family and friends who truly know me don’t have to think twice. I’ve waited a LONG time to get married. After decades of chasing my career all over the country solo, I am so grateful I no longer have to travel this road alone. But it IS a road I will continue to travel!

Will my priorities shift after wedding day? Of course. Will I include my husband in the decisions I make about my career? Absolutely. In fact, he’s already part of the process. Will I pursue, accept or even reject opportunities for the sake of my marriage? Maybe. But will I give up radio for my husband? No. And because he loves me and understands me, he would never make that request.

Over 25+ years in radio, I’ve run into so many guys who couldn’t deal with my career. Whether their perceptions or insecurities or incorrect assumptions or desire to compete with me or their inability to see past my radio show, I encountered it all in the dating pool. I can’t tell you the number of men who disappeared when they found out what I do for a living. Another familiar problem? “Fanboys” who only wanted to communicate with or meet Amy Lawrence. More than once, a guy paid attention to me because he bet his buddies he could get my phone number. Super cool.🙄

I started telling Mom and various friends that the first guy to see beyond my career, to see AMY instead of Amy Lawrence, would be the one I married. And he will be.❤️ For the first time in my life, there’s a man who’s not intimidated, deterred, flummoxed, jealous, dismissive, competitive or anxious about my career. He doesn’t feel threatened by the strong, intelligent, opinionated, capable, independent woman he’s found. He’s PROUD of me!

My future husband knows how hard I work and how much time and effort I pour into my craft. He recognizes that radio isn’t simply a job for me. More than a career, it’s my calling. What a revelation to walk through life with a man who supports and encourages my professional endeavors. He wants to understand my approach and hear about the creative process. He asks about what he hears and can’t wait to see how it comes together behind the scenes. He recognizes that I’m good at what I do after all these years of practice, and he compliments me. Trust me, it’s a whole new world for this girl!

On this Thanksgiving, I am incredibly grateful for a man who loves me for ME and doesn’t expect me to change for him. I am so thankful that he recognizes radio as part of who I am. He would never want me to give it up–any more than I want him to forego his teaching ministry or ignore his calling in this life. He sees the fulfillment and satisfaction that come from a job well done. To know my future husband respects and admires my dedication and commitment is a huge blessing. It lifts me up and gives me confidence, and I could not ask for more.

So to answer your questions, no, I will not be giving up my radio show or retiring from the business or curtailing pursuit of my professional goals and dreams. I would never marry a man who asked me to do that. A part of me would be missing. It’s awesome to finally have a partner who gets that and gets me. He was absolutely worth the wait!💜

I am overwhelmed by how much you want to share my joy and excitement, thank you! Though I wasn’t expecting such a flood of curiosity, I appreciate how much you care. (We also made a couple YouTube videos to respond.) In this post, you get a sneak peek at the flowers: my bouquet and one of the bridesmaids’ bouquets. Since we chose a rich purple as our primary color, I see it everywhere!

Just a few weeks now…can’t wait! Happy Thanksgiving indeed!

I can hardly believe it’s been over a year since I heard your voice. Oh, what I would give for another conversation on the phone or one more chance to make you laugh. Because you didn’t have any use for caller ID, you never knew it was me calling until after you heard my greeting. Then you would exclaim, “Amy!!” and laugh like we shared the perfect joke. That exchange always gave me a jolt of joy.

You loved writing letters and kind notes, especially Christmas cards.🎄 I’m saving everything you sent to me and even rifling through old boxes from when I was a kid to make sure I don’t throw anything away. Since we enjoyed our mail, I choose to write to you now, one year after we said good-bye. I miss talking about family and flowers and food and our plans for the next time we would be together. We never ran out of things to say, so how do I decide what to share with you…12 long months later?

It feels strange to NOT be looking forward to our annual summer visit. By now, we’re usually counting down the days. I wish we could sit and tell stories, plan a cookout with Uncle Tom, gab about your neighbors and the community garden outside your bay window or peruse the dining hall menu. I wish I could hear you get mad at me for taking too many selfies of us, and I wish we could giggle at my attempt to paint your nails fire-engine red without making a mess. When I got a manicure recently, I just wanted to tell the guy about how much you loved bright nails! My August won’t be complete without a few days in your living room, talking about absolutely everything and nothing at all.

You always loved my adventures, especially when I traveled to new places and could show you the photos. The Grand Canyon was GLORIOUS, Grammy!! It left me speechless over and over. As the sun traveled across the sky, the changing colors in the Canyon were mesmerizing. As proud as I am for conquering such an epic hike, it was more significant to spend time with Uncle Kenny and Jayne and Auntie Karen. Just over a year after we celebrated your 100th birthday, we were together which meant the world to me. But oh how we miss you.❤

My favorite picture of you at 19 is on my TV stand. I still can’t believe I never saw this black-and-white portrait until a few months before you died. You kept it from me, ha. When we passed it around at your big celebration, you recalled what color dress you were wearing 81 years before! Lots of people tell me we look alike when they see the photo. I was so grateful when Uncle Tom let me bring it home. He also let me pick through all your jewelry, Gram. Several times a week, I wear your silver ring etched with leaves and your shiny silver hoops to match. I retrieved the turquoise pendant I gave you ten years ago. You kept telling me how much you LOVED it until I finally offered it to you. I know you did it on purpose!😁 And I have no idea when I’ll wear them, but I couldn’t let Tom get rid of your bright yellow and pink chunky pearls with matching earrings. Maybe for a costume party?!

I rescued the delicate sapphire necklace Mattie’s family gave you for your 100th birthday. You were wearing it the last time I saw you, along with the earrings. I went through your piles of jewelry three times before I found the necklace, and I yelled out loud. I couldn’t find the earrings, so you must have tucked them into one of your little boxes where only you would remember. Mattie told me to keep the necklace. I wear it on special occasions; it makes me smile and cry at the same time.

Guess what else I brought home? The comforter with the pink and green flowers. It was on my bed all winter, and I will pull it out of the closet when the weather turns again. From the time Mom and I gave it to you as a Christmas present more than a decade ago, you never took it off your bed. I’m so glad to have it back because I know it was special to you.

You probably won’t believe this, but I didn’t touch a jigsaw puzzle the entire year. I started one before we lost you; but instead of finishing it, I left it under placemats on my kitchen table. As we marked one year, I suddenly felt inspired to uncover it. For several hours, as I put pieces in place, I missed you terribly and wished we could talk about our latest puzzle projects. I also felt peace, though. Getting back to your favorite hobby brought you close again.🎁 (I don’t miss our games of Upwords nearly as much!)

In the days after you died, I didn’t know what to do with myself, Grammy. I took a few nights off from work and decided I would go sit on the beach. Mostly, I was numb as I spent hours staring out at the water. My heart was broken, and yet I knew I wasn’t alone. A few weeks later, I went back to the same spot with my friend Jasimine. She convinced me to go swimming and play in the waves with her. I hadn’t done that in years! And I laughed. For the first time since you went to heaven, I laughed and felt true joy in my heart. There was healing at the beach and healing in that laughter.

On July 8th this year, I visited my friend Lynn on Long Island. We spent several hours kayaking, and I told her about you. Being on the water gave me peace, despite the date. Later in the evening, we drove to the shore in her town to check out the sunset. I actually thought it would be too cloudy, but I was wrong. The orange, pink, purple and blue in the sky made for captivating photos. We spent an hour standing in the surf, getting splashed by the waves. Only as we walked back to the car did it dawn on me: it was the perfect way to wrap up the day with all of its memories and emotions.

There is so much more I could say, a zillion more things to share with you. I taught my first class at Syracuse University in April right after our birthdays. Grammy, the students called me “Professor Lawrence”!! My spring flowers were beautiful, especially the daffodils and peonies, but for some reason, my hydrangea bushes aren’t blooming this summer. The family is doing well. Mattie and the girls took another trip to Hawaii. Penny and Sugar are still running my life. They miss our video calls. And after waiting for what felt like forever, I finally have a special man in my life. He’s the one, Grammy. I would give anything for you to meet him. You would be thick as thieves! He would adore your stories and your sense of humor. I’m so sorry he won’t know you like I do, but I’m keeping my promise. I’m telling him all about you.💔

Not a day goes by that I don’t think of you and wish I could hear your voice again. Our memories make me smile. I know you would want me to be happy and keep chasing adventure, so I will. You always encouraged me to be bold and brave and forge ahead.

I’ll end this letter the way we ended every phone call: I miss you. I love you. Bye, Grammy.

I’ve always been a girl who LOVES crossing items off a list. Whether it’s my weekly to-do list, a grocery list, a packing list, a vacation planning list or a long-term list of goals, I enjoy making them and using them to gauge progress. Yes, I am a TOTAL nerd, ha.

I also love a good challenge; thus my decision to run half-marathons. When a list requires extra time and energy with greater physical and emotional investment, the payoff is sweeter and the achievement more satisfying. Isn’t that the point?? It’s not supposed to be EASY to check items off the Bucket List. In my mind, it’s reserved for grandiose dreams and indelible moments, the kind that require heart and soul and a leap of faith.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to see the Grand Canyon (of course). I don’t remember when it became a Bucket List item to ride a horse or mule into the Canyon, but I recall exactly when I decided I would “settle” for hiking the Canyon. My brother and sister-in-law and nieces turned me on to serious hiking about three years ago. Then they traveled to Arizona and came back with tales of hiking the Grand Canyon in December 2021. All of a sudden, a new idea replaced the old one!🤩

Thankfully, my amazing friend Casey agreed to come with me, even though she’d never attempted a hike of this magnitude. I am SO PROUD of you, sister!! You crushed it and I couldn’t have asked for a better partner. In fact, navigating this challenge with you made it so much cooler and more meaningful. Love you!

Our first view of the Grand Canyon at the South Rim caught me off guard. After we parked the car and pulled on our boots and layers and checked our packs one more time, we started walking toward the trailhead, chattering excitedly. At some point, I looked up and saw it! Not only did it take my breath away, but I was completely speechless. It was absolutely worth the wait.🧡

Temperatures at the Bright Angel Trailhead at 8:30am local time on April 14th, 2023, were in the upper 40s. I wore four layers on top and two layers on the bottom plus a winter hat and gloves as we started our descent. And a huge thank you to my niece Deanna who gave me crampons for Christmas! The first mile and a half of the trail featured snow and ice; the spikes on the bottom of my boots were invaluable.

As we descended farther into the Canyon, the temperatures warmed up. We were able to pull off layers and stuff them into our packs. We stopped periodically to take photos, and we also had to share the trail. Even at that hour, we passed hikers on their way back up to the South Rim! Some had started super early; others were returning from an excursion to the Colorado River bed which required at least one overnight stay. On the 4.8-mile trek down to our campground destination, we were cheerful, greeting everyone and asking where they started. Most of them were laboring to get back to the top and didn’t have much energy to communicate. I remarked to Casey, “That will be us in a few hours, ha!”

The initial rest stop was the busiest with a couple dozen people taking breaks and snacking. The majority of hikers only go this far before turning around. The numbers thinned out significantly as we worked our way deeper into the canyon.

Farther down the trail, the sunnier and warmer it got, and the greener the Canyon became. What a joy to see spring decorating the terrain in vibrant patches of emerald green and splashes of purple, with plants blooming and thriving. Set against the bright blue sky dotted with puffy white clouds, we couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day to make this dream come true!

We stopped for a half hour at Havasupai Gardens after traversing our way nearly 5 miles down. This is where the mules are kept, and we could smell them (plus we saw evidence of them on the trail, ha). I was really proud of us for packing exactly what we needed to make this trek–from the multiple layers to the water bottles I refilled in the campground to enough snacks to share and refuel. As we rested, we knew the toughest challenge was still ahead, but we were psyched! I’ll never forget that pit stop for all its anticipation as well as the peaceful atmosphere, sitting on a picnic table in the shadow of the Canyon.🧡

As we began the challenging ascent back to the South Rim, the walls of the Canyon towered above us and left me in awe. As I go over the photos from the bottom, I am still incredulous and so PROUD of this achievement. We weren’t simply AT the Grand Canyon; we were IN the Grand Canyon!

I was right–we didn’t have the same energy to interact with other hikers on the way back up. But the climb was my way of marking a milestone birthday in style! Breathtaking in more ways than one and requiring all the energy we could muster, plus the hip and leg muscles that would scream at us the next three days. We tried to keep a steady pace when we were moving, but periodic water and photo breaks were necessary! I was in AWE every time I gazed up and realized where we started and where we were headed.💙

One of my favorite parts of the adventure was watching the colors in the Canyon change over the course of six plus hours as the sun moved across the sky. The weather was absolutely BEAUTIFUL the entire time we were there. And since clouds are my favorite photo muses, I was thrilled to see them dot the blue expanse above us in various formations throughout our hike.

The final mile-and-a-half back to the South Rim was arduous not only because of the steep inclines, but also because it featured snow and ice and plenty of other humans, some in large groups. Dozens of hikers in all shapes and sizes and ages and footwear (including boat shoes and Uggs!) crowded the trail and made it more challenging to navigate. I stopped to pull the spikes onto my boots again so I could climb over the icy patches to pass the slower hikers and tourists who blocked portions of the path. The last mile was the toughest AND the most rewarding.

I let out more than one exhausted “Wooooo!” as I reached the gate at the trailhead and patio where we began our trek that morning. The area was jammed with people, so I found a quiet spot away from the masses. Only problem was that we had to go down five steps and then back up five to reach it. Believe me when I tell you even that made us groan, ha. We snapped a few more photos and recorded a triumphant video. As we looked out into the Canyon, a ribbon of deep green way down in the valley drew our attention. The cottonwood trees of the Havasupai Gardens–we were there!! (You can see them in the below photo.)

We hiked more than 9.5 miles round trip, winding 3200′ feet down the Bright Angel Trail and climbing back up in six hours, including breaks. What an adrenaline rush!! To celebrate, we ate pasta, rotisserie chicken and eggs and washed all our laundry, ha. And to cap our incredible day, we discovered a Dairy Queen in Williams near our Airbnb and snagged blizzards for our just rewards.

After months of planning and coordinating, not to mention years of dreaming, I couldn’t have designed a more perfect experience. The glory of God’s creation in the Grand Canyon is truly unforgettable. The best Bucket List items always exceed expectations.❤️