Nana

She's 84-years young, my Nana. I love her with all my heart. This video series has been taking a look back at how it was growing up in the Capital Region and her life moments. In this episode, we venture down the starts of our very own Capital Region love story from when she met my Grandfather who she was married to for, what would've been 50 years, the year he passed.

In a new edition of Growing Up 518, I sat down with my 84-year old Nana and really, just let her speak. That's what this series is all about.

My Nana grew up in South Troy and is my last remaining grandparent. She is so incredibly special to me. I wanted to do something that not only would be a great keepsake for myself and my family, but a way for you to also get to know Nana a little better.

My Nana is 84-years old. Her name is Joan and she's almost always called the Capital Region, "home." She was born here, raised here, married and had her children here. Over all of those years, the Capital Region has changed

Family is the most important thing to me. I can remember growing up and while I was an only child, I was always surrounded by cousins, aunts, uncles and especially my grandparents. By the time I was 8-years old, I had lost both of my Dads

On July 26th, the final American Idol, Trent Harmon stopped by the GNA studios on his promotional tour. I knew this a couple days in advance and of course needed to make sure my American Idol loving Nana was able to get here to meet her "boyfriend!" ...No, seriously, she calls him that.

"Oh, I'm so nervous," said my 84-year old Nana. She has been known to pick the "American Idol" winners from the audition process alone for the past 10 years. This final season was no different. In fact, Trent Harmon was quickly dubbed her "boyfriend" of the season.

Lets flashback a little, shall we. It was a crisp April night in Clifton Park. I rolled up in my Honda Civic with pizza in hand to my Nanas condo. It was time for, not just the finale but the final episode of American Idol.

Lyrics can be powerful. They can make us smile, they can change our mood; then other times, they can be down right ridiculous.

Basically, what it comes down to is my grandmother is cooler than yours. No, for real. You can get all "uh, no" with me if you want. But my Nana is down for pretty much anything.

My Nana had her birthday a couple of weeks ago and I promised her "Nana's Day Out!" Well, that happened on Saturday and

My Nana is no stranger to being on the radio. She's actually grown pretty accustomed to knowing almost anything that happens or is recorded will somehow end up