Willie Nelson is, in part, responsible for The Midnight Cafe. At least the name I chose for this blog. In college, me and some friends used to hang out in my buddy Matt’s dorm room late at night. We’d stay up late listening to music, playing poker, eating terrible and cheap food, and talking.

Matt was always the joker. He was one of those guys who thought it was funny to answer the phone with a dumb gag. One night we were having some sandwiches and chips and the like and the phone rang. “Welcome to the Midnight Cafe” he answered, “what can I get you?” The name stuck and that group of friends from then on became The Midnight Cafe. When I was deciding on a name for this blog it only seemed natural to call it The Midnight Cafe. And here we are.

Willie was in regular rotation at the Cafe, and on some nights, when most of our friends had called it a night, Matt would light some candles and put on “Stardust.” We’d sit up into the wee hours talking about life, God, and girls. Mostly girls. Mostly girls who had recently broken our hearts.

Though we’ve gone our own ways, and somewhat drifted apart, I’m still friends with those guys. And Willie Nelson will always have a special place in my heart.

So happy birthday, Willie. Here’s to 90 more years of life and music and friends.