On my way to the Shedd on June 17, 2010, I wrote this poem. I took the day off work on a last minute notice. I had a wonderful day!I had not been to the Shedd for decades.

Bus 130, on the way to the big fish house

He lies down with pigeons,
looks up at a clear blue sky,
lunch hour in the financial district.

I see the Lake St. El backed up
to Harold Washington library.
I missed both poetry fest and
printers row book fair.

I need living things today.

Fish speak to my soul,
leave their impression
on a heart in turmoil.

Loved ones fight illness, as I
try to decide how to best spend
our last days together.

How can I make it special?
How can I tell you
how much I love you?
What you mean to me.

Today, a child again,
I'll take your hand,
explore the aquarium.
I see it ahead, feel the excitement,
in love with a city
I left a lifetime ago.

Our first date was at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium on Sunday, April 6, 2008. We met there. My now husband drove in from the suburbs, and I took the train from the south side. It was the first nice day we’d had since winter I walked up and saw him standing outside of the aquarium. At first, he thought I seemed more interested in talking to random children and inflicting education on them (I'm a teacher!) than in our date. He was confused when I gave a detailed history of the life of a tortoise (Nickel) that was supposedly in a certain fish tank, but he couldn’t see it and just assumed that I was nuts! However, Nickel appeared later, and the date improved from there. We watched the dolphin show, and because of our significant height difference, he stood directly behind me. At one point during the show I tilted my head back to look at him and he looked down at me, and we had our first moment where we liked each other, and that this thing might go somewhere.

(Continued from previous comment) After a few hours in the aquarium, we went outside and sat on the lawn in front of the building, and just talked and flirted. We looked at clouds and tried to find shapes, and talked about our lives. Eventually the date ended, but many more followed. Then, on April 18, 2009, my then boyfriend lured me back to the front of Shedd early one morning on the premise of taking pictures of the skyline and the lake. At one point he stole my flip flop then knelt down to help me put it back on. He shifted to one knee and, right on the spot we first met, asked me to spend the rest of my life with him. I said yes, and were married this July 17 in California.

We will ALWAYS have fond memories of the Shedd as the place we met, fell in love and decided to be together forever!

I was watching the belugas in the above water viewing area and Kayavak came up to me and was watching me so I started whistling at her and she started vocalizing and squirting water. She also spit up a fish and showed it to us. She played with us for about 15 minutes. It was really cool.

Last evening, 9/1/10, myself and three of my high school galpals attended "Jazzin at the Shedd"....what an incredible time we had!! It goes without saying that the Shedd itself is amazing, but add that to the music, food, outdoor veranda, the fireworks, the breathtaking Chicago skyline...and gorgeous weather....well: it all adds up to a PERFECT evening, and a wonderful memory for our group! Thank you, Shedd! We'll be back!

My favorite Shedd moment is best represented in an excerpt of a short story that I wrote.

On their date, the first exhibit they saw was the sea dragon den, wedged in a corner, a Plexiglas cylinder no bigger than a London phone booth. Like fishes wearing layers of onion peels for clothes, there were four sea dragons floating in aqueous space, gently oscillating their spikes while patrons looked on. Q and Pierrot were sitting on the floor Indian style and simply admiring the parsimonious movements of the sea dragons, sitting there for what seemed to be an eternity with time just rolling on by. “I could just sit here all day,” said Q., and she meant it too. Pierrot said that would be fine with him so they continued to sit there and admire their new friends. A middle-aged woman approached the tank and pulled a camera out of her purse and of course, took a flash photo even though she saw, without a doubt, the sign asking otherwise. Q, inspired by a mild fit of rage, blurted out, “you can’t use flash here, lady!” She didn’t even have to think twice about berating the woman who tried to play it off by saying, “oh, I know.” The woman stood there for a beat before walking toward the next exhibit to commit more flash photography. Pierrot looked at Q, her face still furrowed with anger. The respect that Pierrot had for Q jumped up after her defense of the sea dragons and Pierrot told her so and she coquettishly smiled and looked away. Pierrot suggested that they find the next sea creatures on their mental checklist so they got up from the floor and Pierrot reached for Q’s hand and their fingers wove together and off they were.

There weren’t many patrons to bust today and even had there been more, Q wouldn’t have yelled at them for fear of being reprimanded by Libby for yelling at white-haired women. Q was not the type of person who had a strong desire to have children anytime soon, but even she couldn’t resist the charm of kids, their erratic precociousness and their unrestrained exclamations in reaction to marauding schools of fish, squiggly moray eels hiding in labyrinthine rock formations, and sharks tracing out elliptical patterns in their gargantuan tanks. She even observed a few kids watching the turtle tank and gasping at what appeared to be the turtle version of a Greek orgy.

The next task on the list was something involving sea otters and painted lobsters. When drafting up the now infamous letter, Q and Pierrot hadn’t actually put much thought into what goals would be involved in managing sea otters and painted lobsters. The letter had complained about the lack of the two animals at the time the letter was written due to renovations which were now over and both otters and lobsters were being re-installed. Q strolled over to the exhibit and overlooked the team hard at work. They seemed to be working diligently, Q thought, so there’s no point in poking my nose in their business and she decided that was that. Next up were the piranhas. Again, what to do here, thought Q? She had suggested to Libby that the piranhas and the Aquarium as a whole would have increased ticket sales if the piranhas were allowed to feast on the flesh of misbehaving children, but of course, this proposed spectacle would stand in stark contrast against the many statutes prohibiting feeding children to flesh-eating fish. Or maybe she could request a shipment of the dreaded candiru to assault patrons who decided to use flash photography or repeatedly tap on the Plexiglas…

I'll never forget the day my 5th grade class went to the Shedd aquarium. It was a very exciting day for all of us since one of our classmates, Troy, who was in and out of the hospital for various medical reasons, was able to join us. We all had a great time exploring the exhibits. The last part of our trip was watching the belugas. After the music came on they announced that Troy should come on down. He was surprised by the opportunity to go and play with the belugas! It was one of the most heart warming experiences of my life. Everyone in our class was brought to tears by how happy he was. It was truly a magical day for everyone involved!

Growing up, my mom never could afford to take my sister and I to the Shedd. When I had my son in '94, I vowed that it be our first time together. I waited until he was old enough to appreciate life underwater.
He was 2. So that spring day, in 1996, we hopped on a train downtown bound to see the fishies. He was in awe! It was a fabulous day exploring what we cannot see. We travel down to the Shedd every year since then. It's a tradition. We love watching the changes and seeing the Shedd grow! Just as the Shedd has grown, so has my family. My daughter has an amazing love of all animals. Penguins are -by far- my children's favorite creatures and to be given this experience is priceless, just like their faces the very first time they saw the large tanks of amazing underwater life! Thank you for this opportunity!

The first time I brought my daughter to the Shedd, we stopped to look at the shark tank. They darted around, but soon a fish swam up to us and just hovered there looking at us. Both my daughter and I were fascinated by it and it seemed equally fascinated by us. We watched him for a bit and as we started to go, he followed us. We were so charmed by this fish. I had no idea what kind of fish he was, but he did have this odd scar on him. When I got home I searched the Shedd page and found the story about Bubba. We were so sad to learn of his death but are very thankful to make his acquaintance!

When I was a child, we visited Shedd Aquarium.My father and I spent hours checking out ever tank .My favorite animal is the penquin..I rememember asking my father why there were no penquins? He laughed and said that the Shedd needed little like me to suggest that they get penquins. I remember thinking he was just saying that to make me feel better.. Years later..Penquins!!! I was so excited as I took my son to see the new exibit...I always wanted to take my father to see the exhibit just for old times sake..Sadly we lost him at an early age before he ever saw my penquins at the Shedd..

We first brought our daughter Karuna to Shedd around her second birthday. Karuna has cerebral palsy and a variety of medical problems, including a very severe visual impairment. We had been told by several doctors that she was blind and would never have useful vision. While we never agreed with these doctors, it was not until we took her to Shedd that we truly realized she could see.

One of the first places we took her was Amazon Rising, because you can get right up to the exhibits at floor level. We propped up Karuna in her little pink trunk brace on the floor in front of one of the tanks, nose-to-nose with a ray. We were shocked to see her eyes follow the ray as it swam around in the tank! It turns out she can actually see OK close up, and nothing is more motivating to her than watching fish swim in the water.

We've been back to Shedd many, many times with Karuna, who is now 7. She has unfortunately become very sick over the past few years, with multiple organ systems no longer functioning and severe pain. But Shedd is the one place in the world that always brings a smile to her face. She loves the new Fantasea show. She is also absolutely thrilled that the penguin exhibit is now ramped, allowing her to get up close to see the penguins, another favorite.

This is a picture of her on one of her very first visits: http://www.photos.agrawalkids.com/karunaphotos/karuna6/IMG_1517.jpg I have many more, including ones of her diligently watching the rays in Amazon Rising.

My favorite memory at the Shedd was when I took my 4 year old granddaughter (who is now 21) to the Shedd for the day. She was looking at the Beluga whales through the observation windows. I told her they were Beluga whales. She looked up at me and said "Nana they are a 'dangered species'" I asked her if she knew what "endangered species" meant. She said "that means there aren't many of them left and we better take real good care of them. I mean REAL good care!" A woman standing close to us was amazed at the wisdom of this pint sized environmentalist and asked her age. She was truly impressed when Hope said I am 4 holding up four fingers.

My sister and I took her children ages 7 and 10 to Shedds for the first time in August. - What a beautiful place. the kids were in absoute awe - we saw the show and got to sit on the 1st seats by the water and both of their mouths were wide open the entire time of the show - or they were grabbing each other saying did you see that, etc When the penguins walked right in front of us I thought my 7 year old was going to bust (being that is his favorite animal) and the closest he has ever been to these animals - they loved the whales and the dolphins everything about Shedds there was not enough time in the day. I wish we lived closer to Chicago being that we are in MI but we will definitely be back - just to see their faces light up like they did they are still talking about the experience

I remember going with Girl Scouts during some special event where we got to hang out in the Shedd after hours. We had lots of fun but the part I remember the most was laying on the floor watching the dolphins in the underwater viewing area. It was almost magical... it seemed at that moment that we had the whole place to ourselves and that the dolphins were performing just for us!

I was six the first time I went to the Shedd. My father had been laid off work that spring and by the end of the summer of ‘76, even though I was young, I was aware of how tight money was and the stress this was causing my parents. I think I’d only been to the city a few times before on the train to visit Marshal Field’s with my two sisters, mom and granny. But suddenly, a few weeks before school started, there we were in my dad’s bright yellow Dodge Duster heading down the Kennedy into the heart of the city for an adventure.
I don’t know how my parents afforded it. Someone must have given them passes, because I distinctly remember how my parents were so happy that morning, somehow unburdened of the stress that otherwise filled that summer. I remember, before we went into the building, standing near the edge of the lake and thinking it must be the ocean. I remember when we were walking into the building I told my parents I wanted first to go see the mermaids.
My most vivid memory of the day was standing in front of the Grand Rotunda with my face pressed up against the glass. I kept saying “hi fishie” to every animal that swam by. Another well-meaning adult advised me that that big gray animal was actually a shark, and my shyness caused me to immediately retreat safely behind my dad’s knees. He laughed, and said something like “Well, I happen to know that shark, and actually his first name is Fishie!” Then he picked me up in his arms.
I never managed to get back to the Shedd as a kid, although I did visit a few times in my 20’s. Then suddenly last year my father had a severe stroke and the summer was a blur of hospital rooms, ambulance rides, test results and long-term care units. On a beautiful day last August I just grabbed my three-year-old son and we headed down the Kennedy for a day of adventure. I took him for his first visit to the Shedd. We stood in the very same spot in front of that reef, and I started to say “hi fishie” to all the animals swimming by. This time, however, it was my son who immediately corrected me. “Mom, that was a shark. Sharks aren’t fish.” I just had to laugh as I said “But I know that shark, and his first name is Fishie!” And I picked my son up in my arms.

We live about an hour away from Chicago, so visiting the aquarium is always an adventure. We used to go quite often with my parents, and I cherish those memories, especially the ones where we went with my grandparents. I can picture the group of us standing in front of the large aquarium in the middle of everything. Two years ago, we took our son for his first aquarium experience. He loved every minute of the "fishies"! We've since added twins to the family and I cannot wait to begin making our new memories with them at the aquarium.

I am an animal lover and have been since I was a toddler. My whole life so many people have asked me, what my favorite animal was, and I had no clue what to tell them. How could I pick one out of sooo many other amazing unique creatures out there. So in my teens I did my favorites out of categories, such as water mammals or reptiles etc. I remember going to the Shedd and being really excited to see the oceanarium and seeing the dolphin show, but after the show I walked over to the Beluga whales and fell in love. How could you not love the uniqueness with the melon on their heads. They are so lovable and docile. So from then on I have had one favorite animal; The Beluga Whale. Thank you to the Shedd for showing me an amazing animal and letting me see something I may have never had seen or even have heard of.

Up until recently, I haven't gone to the Shedd in a very long time. I use to go when I was kid with my dad. He would take me and my siblings. After he had passed away we really never went again. I plan on taking the two youngest of my siblings to the Shedd soon. My dad never really had a chance. And my youngest brother has cerebral palsy but I honestly think it's something he could appreciate. And it's a way for us to connect with my dad.
But I do remember when we went, I was so excited to see all the fishies swimming around, and my dad was just as excited as I was. He was always into waterlife. Now that I'm older I'm thinking about majoring in Marine Biology. The Shedd experience with my dad is something I will always remember and keep.

I have been bringing my children to the Shedd since my daugther was 2 years old - she is now 19 and my son is 15. When we reminisce about Chicago, we don't have a memory that doesn't involve the Shedd aquarium. We visit Chicago many times each year and every visit begins with a trip to the Shedd to see the oldest fish and sea turtle. I became a member of the Shedd aquarium after years of visiting - wish I would have joined sooner!

My favorite Shedd memory was actually this year.!! I was lucky enough to be a Shedd Ambassador!!! All i can say is thank you>! being around animals is my passion and being at the Shedd assured me that becoming a Vet is my main goal! I learned alot about the Shedd and the over 35,000 species there. Shedd is a place where you can explore the Rising Amazon, or pretend your a peguin in the Polar Play Zone all these wonderful exbhits are my favorite memories and I can wait to come back! This was the best Summer ever! Thank You Shedd.!