It was PERFECT...

Finally!! We are finished with the Anniversary planning and the party went just as we had hoped! According to Mom and Dad, it really was "perfect". They had a wonderful day filled with lots of fun, family and friends, exceeded expectations and several surprises! We were thrilled to see so many come to celebrate with Mom and Dad. We said all along that whatever happened, it would be perfect...and it really was! In general, it was fun to plan and get ready, but I think we're all glad that it will never happen again!!!! I have to say that we have an awesome family and that we all worked on something different to make this whole thing what it came out to be...

And now for the Anniversary "Oscars"...

Mom and Dad of course were the biggest of all the stars--none of this would have meant anything without them...the rest of us were just the supporting stars!

Mark and Kris get the star of the day for the fabulous movie of Mom & Dad over the past 50+ years--it couldn't have been any better...it made us smile, laugh and cry...what more can you ask for!? Aunt Areva even said she wants "THIS VIDEO" at her 50th...just cut Faye's head out and replace it with hers! And several people from church who were not able to be at the reception have already heard about it and have asked for a private showing! So we'll be anxiously awaiting our copies so we can laugh and cry even more--with a fresh audience!

Amy was the star decorator--and self-appointed "person in charge", although none of us knew she was "in charge" until she told us!...the room looked so pretty--minimal and classic...just like Amy. She had wonderful ideas and nearly all of them worked and were used...we just had to keep her in check a couple of times on fancy foods! We decided to let the church enjoy it a little longer and have left the deco. up for now. I say it can stay until Christmas...but I'll need my lights back then!

Cindy and Joe were our stars at keeping everything in perspective and getting the invitations done and out on time! Amy and I could've gone wild on deco, invites, food...whatever, but Cindy was our voice of reason! She agreed with some things and told us that other ideas were just too much! We couldn't have done it without them!

I must also mention Eric, our star poet...he wrote a poem for Mom and Dad and read it to them after dinner Friday night...after the movie and scrapbook had been done. More tears--from everyone...it was very special--and a surprise to more than just Mom & Dad, I think.

Scott was the star chef--he cooked just about all day Saturday so that we could have ribs and chicken for dinner after the reception was over. After some early trouble getting the smoker to the right temperature, he got it going and we had a TON of ribs and everyone ate until they couldn't swallow another bite! Scott outdid himself this time--not a bad review from anyone--and there were at least 75 people to please! (Granted, many were Warchestins, but still...)

We had some star servers in the kitchen--we really couldn't have done anything that day without them and we owe them WAY more than a thank you note and little pot of flowers!

Of course the day wouldn't have been a success without all the people who came to show their love and respect for Mom and Dad. We are all so appreciative of those who came from near and far just because we invited them to share in the day with our parents!

I guess I was the star scrapbooker...and really had fun doing it. I was overwhelmed by all the kind, loving words that were written to Mom and Dad from so many friends and family that they have touched throughout the years. Amy laughed at me the whole time we were getting responses to go in the scrapbook: she loves to be read to and would ask me to read them to her anytime something arrived in the mail. I tried, but I think I cried in the middle of reading almost every single one! Although I know everybody loves Mom & Dad and that they respect them and think the world of them, it is just so much more meaningful and touching to see it written in their words and know that it's about my parents. Now I'm going to cry again! *sigh*

This event was a huge success and will be remembered for years. Even though we had our small bickerings and disagreements on how things should be done, they were small and are now forgotten.

We were all exactly right--and it was perfect.