Unbeknownst to me, way back in February, Jody decided that I needed a pair of cowboy boots. I already own a beat-up, old pair that are probably from the '70s and oh-so comfortable. But Jody wanted me to have a pair that could kinda match his Anderson Bean boots. And he knew just how he was going to get them for me.A Texas-based cowboy boot company called Anderson Bean has a Facebook page, which Jody "liked" and so subscribed to all their updates since he bought a pair of AB boots last year. (SEE THEIR WEBSITE here.) Occasionally, the company will host a contest. This past February, there was a contest called the '2012 AB "BEAN" My Valentine Contest' that was purely run on Facebook. The story and rules of this contest were as follows:
Every boot has a story and we want to see why you love your Anderson Beans. Whether you won your first buckle or met the love of your life in Anderson Beans, we want to hear why you love your boots!
1) Submit a picture with the pair of boots that you love to contest@andersonbean.com. All entries must be received by February 12, 2012.
2) The photos will be posted in the “Bean” my Valentine album on the Anderson Bean Face Book Page on February 13th for our fans to go vote on. By showing that they “Like” a photo a vote will be cast for it.
3) The contest will end February 29th at 5:00 pm
Grand Prize
The photo with the most “Likes” will be selected as the Grand Prize winner and will receive a “Couples” pair of Anderson Bean stock non-exotic boots, a pair of Anderson Bean T-Shirts and a set of Anderson bean Koozies. The photo will also be featured on the Anderson Bean website and Facebook page.
Runner-Up
We will select the runner up for the contest by having our staff choose their favorite submission. The Runner-Up will receive a set of Anderson Bean T-Shirts and matching Anderson Bean Koozies. That photo will also be featured on the Anderson Bean website and Facebook page.
GOOD LUCK! We can’t wait to see all of your loved boots. Will you “Bean” my Valentine?
So, Jody decided that he would send in a picture of ours as a submission to the contest (what?!). The picture Jo sent in was one that my sister's fiance, Justin Ferry took during a photoshoot while we were in VA (see more pictures from the photoshoot here), and it was one of many great shots that Justin captured. We had, however, never intended for it to be used for anything beyond perhaps a collage on our wall at home.
When Jody sent it in to Anderson Bean, he included this description, which was attached to the Facebook page for everyone to read:
My boots are in memory of my brother. He passed away just over a year ago, January 25th. I bought them shortly after that as a little way to remember him everywhere I go. My boots mean more to me than I can ever express. Secondly, my wife has an old pair of boots and would love to see Mrs. Been (yes, that's our last name!) in a new pair of Beans. She is an amazing woman and has supported me through a very hard year. We have little money, but she deserves the world. I would love to see her blessed this way.
So, the contest began. There were 59 submissions, several of them great stories and excellent photos. Most were far more "legit" than ours. I mean, some of these people actually use the boots for what they are intended. Imagine that! Suburbanite that I am, I just like them 'cause they're fun. Ha!
Anyway (I digress), the contest began, and so Jody and I began to spread the word that we needed people to go to the contest page, find our picture and "like" it. We jumped out ahead immediately and crossed the 150 mark. We thought we had it in the bag. But then we scrolled through the pictures, and we saw another submission had - out of nowhere - jumped ahead of us. What?!
This young lady you see to the left became our stiff competition for the next week. Back and forth we fought for first place. Two hundred. Three hundred. Four. Five. Six. Seven. It was intense. I began enlisting my sisters' help from their college friends. I even asked Charlie, Southeast's youth pastor if he would pitch it to the youth group. Ridiculousness. Meanwhile, the young lady, Anne Marie and Jody began corresponding via Facebook. They practically became best buds through this process. A nice young lady. But we had to win! Even my mother went on Facebook and "liked" the page (GO, MOMMIE!). I was so proud.
In the end, Jody and I prevailed. The final score was:
The Beens: 792
Anne Marie: 604
Rarely have more beautiful words been seen!
And the WINNER of the AB "Bean My Valentine" Contest is.....
First place: Mr. and Mrs. Been with an outstanding 792 "likes" on their beautiful picture. Congrats!
As a result, Jody and I began to do some shopping. After all, free boots are serious business. After much deliberation and discussion, Jody decided on the 'Tangerine Marfalous' Distressed American Bison boots (the orange ones). Pretty awesome, huh? And I decided that I needed a pair that was as equally awesome. And since I love green - lime green, in particular - I decided that I needed to go all the way. I decided on the 'Kiwi Marfalous' Geronimo Bison boots.Oh yes, I did.
Since my boots have been in stock for quite a while, the company shipped mine quickly. Jody's style, however, is new and still in production, so we are still holding out for them. I hope to have some pictures up when they do come in. A follow-up picture of both our prizes, you understand. To all of you who have begged for a picture, I promise... It's coming. I'll let you know when his boots arrive. :)
Next on the list, Jody says, are some dresses and skirts for me to get all 'dolled up' in so I can show off my boots. Ha! Five years ago, I would have never imagined....
Thank you to everyone who helped us win these boots! We love and appreciate you!!!
