Above
the City, Into a New Year
Still Choosing You at Midnight
I believe that marriage should be celebrated beyond anniversaries alone. As the years pass, it becomes increasingly important to pause and intentionally mark our love—through shared moments, meaningful dates, and reminders that our commitment is still alive, still joyful, and still worth celebrating. Marriage thrives when it is honored not once a year, but often, thoughtfully, and with gratitude.
Lisa and I live in Knoxville, Tennessee, a city rich with history and character. Knoxville was home to the 1982 World’s Fair, an event still commemorated today by World’s Fair Park and its most iconic landmark—the Sunsphere. Rising above the park like a glowing crown, the Sunsphere resembles a giant mirrored disco ball perched atop a tall tower. By day it reflects the sky and surrounding city; by night it glows warmly, watching over Knoxville as a symbol of celebration, creativity, and civic pride. For many locals, it represents one of the most cherished chapters in the city’s story.
Every New Year’s Eve, World’s Fair Park becomes a gathering place for hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of people welcoming the new year together. There is live music echoing across the lawn, food vendors lining the walkways, fireworks lighting up the sky, and the signature New Year’s countdown ball suspended high above the crowd. January evenings in East Tennessee can be cold, but the energy of the celebration has a way of warming everyone gathered below.
Inside the Sunsphere itself are several floors housed within the bronze-tinted sphere at the top of the structure. These circular floors are often used as event spaces for private gatherings, such as fundraisers, receptions, tailgates, and special celebrations. On this particular New Year’s Eve, one such celebration caught our attention.
After much discussion, Lisa and I decided to do something a little out of the ordinary for us. We purchased tickets to an elegant New Year’s Eve party hosted across two floors of the Sunsphere. From the moment we arrived, it was clear this would be a memorable evening. The views alone were breathtaking. From high above the city, Knoxville unfolded beneath us in a quiet glow—streetlights tracing familiar routes, neighborhoods tucked into the hills, and the University of Tennessee campus clearly visible, including its iconic sports stadiums. At night, the city felt both vast and intimate at the same time.
Each floor of the Sunsphere is perfectly circular, a reminder that you are standing inside a sphere suspended above the ground. The architecture itself added to the uniqueness of the evening. It felt like celebrating inside a landmark, not just observing it from below.
We arranged for a babysitter and headed downtown early to enjoy another Knoxville tradition: the Peppermint Trail in Market Square. During the holidays, the city transforms the square with festive lights and candy-themed decorations. A towering Christmas tree, measuring several stories tall, stood proudly near the center. It rivaled the height of nearby office buildings. An ice-skating rink had been constructed in the middle of the square, filled with laughter, music, and the scrape of skates against ice. Lisa and I took a brisk walk through the square, soaking in the lights, the movement, and the holiday spirit that lingered just before the new year. We stopped for sushi at a nearby restaurant, sharing an appetizer and conversation before continuing on to the night’s main event.
The Sunsphere New Year’s Eve party began at 9:00 p.m., and guests were welcomed with a late dinner almost immediately. The catered meal felt indulgent and celebratory—ribeye steaks or glazed chicken in a rich bourbon sauce, roasted potatoes filled with bacon, fresh salads, warm rolls, traditional vegetable sides, and an impressive assortment of desserts. It was the kind of meal that encouraged lingering, conversation, and unhurried enjoyment.
From our vantage point inside the Sunsphere, we could look down into World’s Fair Park where hundreds of people gathered on the lawn, listening to live music as they awaited midnight. The countdown ball hung from a massive crane, glowing softly as the hour approached. When the final minutes arrived, the atmosphere inside our party shifted. Party favors appeared; glasses were raised; and voices joined together in anticipation.
As the countdown began, everyone counted aloud, eyes fixed either on the city below or on the faces of those around them. When the ball finally dropped and the clock struck midnight, fireworks erupted across the sky. Watching a fireworks display from such a height was a unique experience—the bursts seemed closer, brighter, and more immersive. It felt as though the celebration wrapped around us.
Inside, our party had its own live band, and they were exceptional. They invited the crowd to participate, laugh, and move. Lisa and I danced—sometimes with the group, sometimes together—moving to southern rock, upbeat country songs, classic celebration music, and even slower songs that allowed us to sway and hold one another. Dancing with my wife high above the city, surrounded by music and joy, felt like a moment suspended in time.
We shared our table with several other couples and individuals, seated around round tables that mirrored the circular design of the Sunsphere itself. Conversation flowed easily, and by the end of the night we had exchanged phone numbers with another couple, already talking about meeting again sometime in 2026. Being away from our children for so many hours felt a bit unusual, but the uninterrupted time with Lisa was deeply meaningful.
Just after midnight, breakfast items were served on the top floor—small but welcome bites before heading home. The band played until the very end, filling the space with energy right up to 1:00 a.m. On the drive home, Lisa and I replayed moments from the evening, laughing, reflecting, and quietly thankful for the memories we had just made.
We do not often attend events like this, which made the night even more special. Lisa treated herself to a pedicure and a new evening dress for the occasion, and she looked absolutely beautiful—as only she can. Watching her dance, laugh, and enjoy the evening was a gift in itself.
The heart of this reflection is simple: celebrate your marriage. Go on date nights. Take walks together. Create space for joy. Be intentional with time…both with your spouse and with your children. A good marriage deserves celebration, not just once a year, but throughout every season. Like our New Year’s Eve at the Sunsphere, love is meant to be marked, remembered, and rejoiced in.
For our marriage, and for the life we share, Lisa and I give the Lord thanks.
(Lisa and I sat down for a photo opportunity at the sushi restaurant before we walked over to the private party.)
(Lisa and I posed for another photo with an intriguing backdrop of the Knoxville skyline behind us.)
(This was a picture of the ball that was dropped in World’s Fair Park at midnight to mark a New Year beginning in 2026.)
(A band called Wasted Major from Nashville entertained us for several hours at the New Year’s Eve party…playing country, southern rock, pop, and some other classic party tunes.)
(Lisa looked beautiful in her new evening gown dress at the Sunsphere New Year’s Eve party.)
(This depiction showed what part of our party looked like inside the Sunsphere. One can see the curvature of the glass with the circular architecture of this mirror ball tower.)
(On the way back to the car, I captured some upward pictures of the Sunsphere with the moon.)
#MarriageMatters #StillChoosingYou #IntentionalMarriage
#GratefulHeart #CelebratingLove #DateNightMemories #NewYearsReflection #KnoxvilleTN
#WorldsFairPark #Sunsphere #NewYearsEve #AboveTheCity
