If you've been checking in on my blog of late then you know that our 40th Wedding Anniversary was coming up. On Sunday my beloved and I celebrated our 40th in a BIG, BIG WAY! Exclamation Intended!
Let me start at the beginning:
Being the planners we in our family are, way back when, Dick and I decided to set a little money aside so that we could treat the kids to a fancy, schmancy dinner, and as Cathy, mother to 5 stated that she'd really like to make it an "adult" thing, at least as far as she was concerned, we discussed and decided, to then follow-up with a harmless little "family" picnic which would include all of our wonderful grandchildren. Kentucky Fried and Ice Cream Cake, no fuss, no muss.
But a funny thing happened somewhere between the kentucky fried picinic and July 15th.
Last week sometime I received an innocent little e-mail from Amy saying that she could get off work early and that Cathy and Cliff wanted to have a BBQ for us instead of a picinic. Pat the photographer would be there as "K", who was missing from our original photo session was also going to be there, so we would have pictures taken. "Wear the same T-shirts?" asked I, "no, what about a sundress or something, it won't be necessary to have us dressed the same", replies my babygirl. Okay, come about 4:00.
On Friday night (Friday, because April and Nick were invited to Nick's cousin's wedding on Saturday night) we adults, plus darling Abby, dined at a lovely restaurant in Langley. The food and company was wonderful. I had even found a black skirt with white binding on it that was very similar to my going away outfit. And brownie points to my beloved, he noticed right away that my outfit was reminiscent of my going away outfit! The divine Mr. Dick was wearing this awesome shirt of brown and yellow stripes, which replicated the colours of his yellow shirt and suede brown jacket that he wore when we took our leave on our wedding night. We were livin' large, happy and excited. It was a lovely evening.
And this is where the story takes a huge detour!
Unbeknownst to us, our 3 wonderful daughters planned the most joyous, unexpected, tearful, party one could ever imagine. Printed invitations, white linen tablecloths and napkins, little "bon bonairies" (Italian treats, sorry about the spelling) consisting of chocolate hearts tucked in all the wine glasses, a delicious and beautiful lemon wedding cake, floral displays on the tables, our favourite photographer Pat, a guest book in the form of a wishing tree, momentos, our original invitation in a boxed frame, photo album, a CD of music from 1967 for everyone to take home and enjoy, a boutineer and a "ruby" bouquet, our dear friend and Pastor Ken Harris there to officiate at the renewal of wedding vows, and friends and family in abundance there to surprise us and help us celebrate the day. It was overwhelming! As soon as I looked out in the back yard, we spied row upon row of gaily decorated tables, and we knew, this wasn't a BBQ! Bring on the kleenex, the waterworks of tears has begun.
Down to the last detail, it was every bit a marvellous as that first July 15th in 1967, only better, because of the love and enthusiasm of our daughters. Little did we know when we took those wedding vows what the future would hold. We could never, ever have comprehended or anticipated all of the outpouring of love we received on that sunny Sunday afternoon. It is a day we will never forget.
So to Cliff, Nick and Tyler-thank you for all you did leading up to and including Sunday. The love, support and humour you give our daughters is very much appreciated. We love you so!
Cynthia, thank you for those beautiful invitations and cards. They are wonderful, thanks for taking charge! Cynthia, for the cake and the little cupcakes for the children, so beautifully decorated, but which tasted even better than they looked, it had to have been the flour--I wish I had a piece to eat right now! You are a talent. You are a darling. Thank you dear DottA!
Yvonne, thank you for being there to stand beside us like 40 years ago. Jason our dear God-Son, thank you for standing in for your Dad. You did him proud and if I may say so, every bit as handsome too!
Pastor Ken, dear, dear friend, thank you for leading us through our vows, and for the lovely words.
Pat Kyle, photographer, extra-ordinaire. We can't wait to see this set of pictures, blotchy faces and all (mine!) You are amazing and we are going to miss you when you leave Murrayville-boo hoo!
Silvana and Earl, you should be caterers to the stars. I cannot believe how much work went into preparing all of that glorious food. Everything was done to perfection.
Maddie and Mom, aka, Vanna White, thank you for that "sweet, sweet" tribute! You two are something else, and that's a great thing!
To our dear family and friends who surprised us so. Thank you for sharing this very special day for Dick and I. We are truly blessed and our life is so much richer by your presence.
To E-Comm Rob, thank you for freeing Amy up for the day. thank you for freeing Amy up for the day!
Cathy, April and Amy, words cannot express, nor imagination comprehend, how much work and planning went into our very special day. You three are truly amazing. Daddy and I have always known how lucky we are that you are our daughters. In your extremely busy lives you went above and beyond. Each detail was planned and executed to perfection. Even the weather which was sweated and prayed over that it wouldn't rain, cooperated! You are our richest blessings, our greatest gifts and we thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottoms of our hearts that are 100 times too big!
Let me start at the beginning:
Being the planners we in our family are, way back when, Dick and I decided to set a little money aside so that we could treat the kids to a fancy, schmancy dinner, and as Cathy, mother to 5 stated that she'd really like to make it an "adult" thing, at least as far as she was concerned, we discussed and decided, to then follow-up with a harmless little "family" picnic which would include all of our wonderful grandchildren. Kentucky Fried and Ice Cream Cake, no fuss, no muss.
But a funny thing happened somewhere between the kentucky fried picinic and July 15th.
Last week sometime I received an innocent little e-mail from Amy saying that she could get off work early and that Cathy and Cliff wanted to have a BBQ for us instead of a picinic. Pat the photographer would be there as "K", who was missing from our original photo session was also going to be there, so we would have pictures taken. "Wear the same T-shirts?" asked I, "no, what about a sundress or something, it won't be necessary to have us dressed the same", replies my babygirl. Okay, come about 4:00.
On Friday night (Friday, because April and Nick were invited to Nick's cousin's wedding on Saturday night) we adults, plus darling Abby, dined at a lovely restaurant in Langley. The food and company was wonderful. I had even found a black skirt with white binding on it that was very similar to my going away outfit. And brownie points to my beloved, he noticed right away that my outfit was reminiscent of my going away outfit! The divine Mr. Dick was wearing this awesome shirt of brown and yellow stripes, which replicated the colours of his yellow shirt and suede brown jacket that he wore when we took our leave on our wedding night. We were livin' large, happy and excited. It was a lovely evening.
And this is where the story takes a huge detour!
Unbeknownst to us, our 3 wonderful daughters planned the most joyous, unexpected, tearful, party one could ever imagine. Printed invitations, white linen tablecloths and napkins, little "bon bonairies" (Italian treats, sorry about the spelling) consisting of chocolate hearts tucked in all the wine glasses, a delicious and beautiful lemon wedding cake, floral displays on the tables, our favourite photographer Pat, a guest book in the form of a wishing tree, momentos, our original invitation in a boxed frame, photo album, a CD of music from 1967 for everyone to take home and enjoy, a boutineer and a "ruby" bouquet, our dear friend and Pastor Ken Harris there to officiate at the renewal of wedding vows, and friends and family in abundance there to surprise us and help us celebrate the day. It was overwhelming! As soon as I looked out in the back yard, we spied row upon row of gaily decorated tables, and we knew, this wasn't a BBQ! Bring on the kleenex, the waterworks of tears has begun.
Down to the last detail, it was every bit a marvellous as that first July 15th in 1967, only better, because of the love and enthusiasm of our daughters. Little did we know when we took those wedding vows what the future would hold. We could never, ever have comprehended or anticipated all of the outpouring of love we received on that sunny Sunday afternoon. It is a day we will never forget.
So to Cliff, Nick and Tyler-thank you for all you did leading up to and including Sunday. The love, support and humour you give our daughters is very much appreciated. We love you so!
Cynthia, thank you for those beautiful invitations and cards. They are wonderful, thanks for taking charge! Cynthia, for the cake and the little cupcakes for the children, so beautifully decorated, but which tasted even better than they looked, it had to have been the flour--I wish I had a piece to eat right now! You are a talent. You are a darling. Thank you dear DottA!
Yvonne, thank you for being there to stand beside us like 40 years ago. Jason our dear God-Son, thank you for standing in for your Dad. You did him proud and if I may say so, every bit as handsome too!
Pastor Ken, dear, dear friend, thank you for leading us through our vows, and for the lovely words.
Pat Kyle, photographer, extra-ordinaire. We can't wait to see this set of pictures, blotchy faces and all (mine!) You are amazing and we are going to miss you when you leave Murrayville-boo hoo!
Silvana and Earl, you should be caterers to the stars. I cannot believe how much work went into preparing all of that glorious food. Everything was done to perfection.
Maddie and Mom, aka, Vanna White, thank you for that "sweet, sweet" tribute! You two are something else, and that's a great thing!
To our dear family and friends who surprised us so. Thank you for sharing this very special day for Dick and I. We are truly blessed and our life is so much richer by your presence.
To E-Comm Rob, thank you for freeing Amy up for the day. thank you for freeing Amy up for the day!
Cathy, April and Amy, words cannot express, nor imagination comprehend, how much work and planning went into our very special day. You three are truly amazing. Daddy and I have always known how lucky we are that you are our daughters. In your extremely busy lives you went above and beyond. Each detail was planned and executed to perfection. Even the weather which was sweated and prayed over that it wouldn't rain, cooperated! You are our richest blessings, our greatest gifts and we thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottoms of our hearts that are 100 times too big!
summer of love...it's getting better all the time
5 comments:
~wiping away tears~
What an amazing story. What an amazing memory to create. I'm just in awe. I wasn't even invited and I'm overwhelmed lol...
Congratulations to you and your beloved, on 40 years, on your renewed vows, and on raising 3 such wonderful girls!
Oh wow, I've got tears rolling down my cheeks. The abundance of love in your family is such a beautiful thing. What an awesome day for Amy, April and Cathy to have planned, right down to the last detail. Congratulations on your 40th anniversary!
Oh wow, I've got tears rolling down my cheeks. The abundance of love in your family is such a beautiful thing. What an awesome day for Amy, April and Cathy to have planned, right down to the last detail. Congratulations on your 40th anniversary!
"Tic" and Wendy - it really was an utterly amazing things those darling girls of ours did. A week later, and I still can't quite believe it. It was a fantastic 40th Anniversary surprise that's for sure.
WOW!! What a surprise and to that extent too. Another July 15th to treasure for a lifetime! I wish you a belated Happy Anniversary (as you did me! And yes the best day!!) Yvonne (mud puddle!!)
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