Here's to another 25 years

Have any of you ever been lucky enough to plan a party and have it come off the way you planned?  Do you have anyone that goes out of their way to help?  Do you have anyone that will help at all?  Do any of your friends and family offer to help or are you on your own for most things?  I am here to tell you that that is not the case in my life.

From the first minute I started planning this party, I had a couple of people asking if there was anything that they could do to help.  K. was my lifesaver, she helped with so much I don't know where to start.  My mom and dad, were and will always be the lifesavers when it comes to anything my family and I want to do.  They come through with flying colours every time.

Over a three month period the planning took place, food, menus, seating, music, invitations and all the things that go along with the planning of a party.   Lists were made of guests,  songs for music, food to be served.  All of this being kept secret from my husband Michael. 

All seemed to be going fine, until that fateful day, My Phone Died.  OMG what now?  Everything was on the phone.  All my guests, menus, pickup dates, what had been ordered and paid for, now what.  Call the sisters.  I was on Skype to my sister Deb.  She let me sob and cry and rant and rave.  Then she said, ok now you have whimpered enough, THINK.  The more she talked, the more I remembered.  By the time our conversation was over, I had remembered most of what I thought I had forgotten.  Funny how sisters can drag that out of you.

Mom and Dad arrived to find me with a broken wing.  I had fallen at work and injured my left hand.  Not wanting to remain in the ugly brace they put me in, we started working on getting the yard together and me doing my exercises.  Things went ok.  Short trips here and there and yon with the parents.  We did manage to take a short trip to visit a friend of the family in Branson.  I think Dad really enjoyed seeing Gary, and I think Mom did too.  She talked about all the things we used to do and how they are friends with all of Gary's family.  He also got caught up with all the gossip about everyone that he knew way back when.  Who is still living, who died and who is doing who  hahahaha. ( not really) just thought I would throw that in to see who is paying attention.

The whole trip was kind of fun.

 We headed home the next morning, after a full tour of the Branson area.  Stopped in Springfield at the Bass Pro Shop and while there took some silly pictures of both Mom and Dad.  Had fun all afternoon.  Off home.  Long drive but worth it. I got to spend a lot of time with Mom and Dad. 

Then to the casino where my Mother proceeded to win and win and win, leaving with a total healthy sum of over 1000 dollars.  What a day.  Then her and I went to Bingo... not something I have done for a long time.  The second game she won 100 dollars.  When we walked out, she handed me 50 dollars.  I had not expected that.  Her and Dad share whatever they win, and I guess I fell into that category.  All in all a good day..... I had a good time spending my time with Mom, and the 50 dollars was not too shabby either. hahahaha.

Now comes the biggie.  The party.  Food to cut and arrange, Alcohol to put out, Eating items to lay out.  Tables, chairs, flowers, decorations, as well as all the things associated with each of the afore mentioned items.  Music to set up(thank god for DJ's).  Bartender to help.   One of my best friends to help with all of the above.  She drove in from St. Louis to help.  Surprise people coming from all over the states.  What a day. 

Everyone getting dressed.  Crying cause my sisters could not be there, although we did set up Skype for them to watch.  The day seemed to go off without a hitch.  Good friends, good music and I even tried (should have said cried) to sing my husband a wonderful song about how much you love someone.  Nose running and blubbering the whole way through.  I would have been fine, had I not looked over Michael's shoulder to see my parents standing there smiling and winking at me.  That's when I really lost it.  Oh well, at least I tried.  My voice cracked and I sounded like a wounded cat.  Not sure what Michael thought, he never said.  The ring was put on my hand for the third time... His statement was "did it not take the first two times"?  hahahahahaha.  Just shut up and say I will.  I thought I loved him years ago.  Come to find out not as much as I do now.  I guess as you grow older, things change.  Your ideas of what is important change.  You come to rely on each other more than you know.  Michael is the other half of me and I think I am the other half of him, or at least I hope I am.  I know I could make it on my own, as could he,  but I don't ever want to try.  He is so much a part of my life.  Like my parents who have been married for 59 years this year, I hope we go on for at least that long.

My parents are looked up to as the couple that have the greatest marriage around.  I think they have been together longer than anyone else I know.  They still go everywhere, although my Dad won't drive, he says "I don't know where your going or what directions we just came from".  I guess I may have that problem at 80 as well.  Mom still does everything.  Travels, cooks, sews, knits and can keep up to even the youngest of those around her.  I have never seen her falter.  I hope I have half the energy they have when I am 60 little own 80.  The party went off without a hitch.  Everyone came ate, drank and mingled.  I think they all had a good time, I think.  It got kind of cool after the sun went down, and everyone gathered around the fire pit where Dad had lit the warmest fire.  It was like at camp, only with grownups.  We talked and told stories about being kids, and how our lives had changed. 

I want to thank all that came and help make "The Party" a success.  It warms my heart to know that we have such good friends and loving family.  Keep us in mind for the next one..... Hugs to all who helped us share our special day.  "Here's to another 25 years".