40 Years is a Really Long Time

Brother-in-law Matt and niece Sarah, getting ready for the surprise

Mom & Dad

Uncle Jack

Brother Scott, Kate, Kristina

Grandad & Grandma

Me, niece Breann, and sister Melissa

Surprise!

Backing up a few weeks, Joe and I had the chance to help throw a surprise 40th anniversary party for my parents over Labor Day weekend. We traveled to Utah, along with several other relatives, to pull off the big surprise. With my sister, Melissa, working logistics from inside the state and my Grandmother giving us good advice over the phone, I handled some of the party planning from Chicago and, amazingly, it all came together! My grandparents traveled from Florida and my dad's twin brother, Jack, and his wife, our Aunt Renee, came from New Mexico. In addition, we invited people from dad's running club and their friends from church. My brother, Scott, was also there helping as a decoy, along with my sis-in-law Kristina, brother-in-law, Matt, and nieces Kate, Breann, and Sarah.

We loved seeing my parent's faces when they walked into Magleby's and saw us all standing there, ready to toast them for a relationship sustained over four decades. That's no easy feat in this day and age, and they seem to be having more fun as the years pass. Especially now that they will be spending months on end cruising around the world, working on Princess Cruise Line (that's a whole other story, folks).

At any rate, it was a wonderful weekend full of celebration. In additon to my parent's anniversary, Scott & Kristina celebrated 16 years of marriage, and Aunt Renee celebrated her 39th birthday (did I get that right?). Maybe for my parent's 50th anniversary we should all go on a cruise with them? Hmmm...wishful thinking...

Congratulations, Mom & Dad. We love you!!