50 Years

My parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Friday. 50 years….can you imagine? They got married when mom was 18 and dad was 17. Dad had three children by the time he was 21, Mom 22. Then they had one more (and some say the BEST one 7 years later). Ha!

We decided to throw them a surprise get together with the family at my house. It was very last minute and pretty stressful to pull off. I called/texted all my siblings and their kids. Luckily, everyone was able to come (except Michael who is in San Francisco). Even Devon was able to take off work early and drive from WI to be here. I love that no matter what, if it’s for my parents……everyone is always in.

I had asked my mom and dad to come over for dinner that night. This is not unusual as we often get together for dinners during the week. The previous weekend Dad had brought up the fact that their 50th wedding anniversary was that following Friday and I played dumb with the…. Really? My goodness! Cool! Wanna come over for dinner that night? And the plan was in motion. I asked them to come over around 6:30, reminding them Mike works until 5:30 on Fridays and doesn’t get home until 6:15 at the earliest.

 

Well, here is my mom walking in at 5:10.

 

I literally feel onto the kitchen floor! I couldn’t believe it. I tried so hard to pull this off and wanted so badly for it to be perfect. If anyone deserves a surprise party, it’s my parents….and I wanted this to work. My sister and nephew were the only ones there, so “Surprise” was yelled and then I picked myself up off the floor, poured myself a glass of wine, and  got over it.

 

 

I had set up the living room downstairs hoping to make it special and nice.

 

 

 

 

 

I texted everyone and told them they no longer had to drive around the block and park……that the lovebirds would GREET them as they arrived! After waiting a little longer than planned for my niece and brother to get there (due to some snowy weather) we finally sat down to eat and open presents. We got them a theatre gift certificate that they can use for any upcoming play or concert at three different theatres in Minneapolis and then I blew up the family picture of us from Devon’s wedding (which by the way, Owatonna people……it cost me $1.20 for an 12x18 at Tri M Graphics. It came out great too.)

 

 

 

 

 

The kids played video games in the MAN room after dinner……..

 

 

 

 

 

The adults sat around and visited after supper and had lots of laughs. Mike’s mom and Dave came. I love that our families are close. It meant a lot to have them there.

Poor Lisa and Rick. They had to pose about 5 times for this picture because the lighting in my living room was KILLING me and couldn’t get pictures to come out. I believe before this picture my brother said, “Oh come on!”

So, after running around every night after school to get tables, chairs, flowers, food, utensils. After numerous texts and phone calls to my sisters and sister-in-law to ask them to help me (which they all did. Thank you! This happened because we all worked to make it happen!) and neglecting my house and kids for a week…….I would totally do it all again. It was a great evening and made me happy to do something special for them. Granted, it wasn’t a huge party at a ballroom, but it was more our style.

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad! We all love you very much and appreciate the amazing grandparents you are to our kids. We hope you enjoyed your night….. and we forgive you for being early!

Love,

LB