Parties
This time of year is always fun in our family.
6/XX: Father's Day * 6/17: my birthday * 6/22: Dad's birthday * 6/26: Mom & Dad's anniversary * 7/10: Chad's birthday * 7/17 Mom's birthday
So Chad and I shook things up by throwing M&D a surprise 35th anniversary reception in one of the upstairs rooms at the Civic Center. I served as the Judas goat -- I love that phrase -- with Chad claiming that the party was for me. And why not? The party was on the 17th.
It's sad to admit, but Dad's clueless. I mean, he had several clues:
(1) We had M&D's friends/families/employees all write up fond memories, the Canaan crew among them. So color them surprised when Dad showed up the night before the party. "Where's Betty? Isn't it your anniversary?" Dad, who's had trouble not with the date but with the number of years, was genuinely worried.
(2) Once M&D got me to the Civic Center on Saturday, Dad noticed "Beam anniversary party" amongst the roster of events. (I had previously asked the party planner to eliminate "anniversary", and he did -- on the sign immediately outside the room.) Dad shook it off.
(3) Dad walked into the room. Somebody wished him "Happy anniversary" and responded, "No. It's Brad's birthday!"
Mom's big concern when she thought Chad was running the show was that he hadn't ordered enough food. Chad, in turn, was concerned that I ordered too much. (Unfortunately I did, but it was inevitable; I issued an open invitation to our church. So, it was hard to tell whether 3 or 63 people would show up in addition to friends and family.)
But it was a good party; guests included an aunt, an uncle, my grandfather, some neighbors, friends (church and non), and a video tribute from Dad's West Coast-based uncle, aunt, and cousins. The party ended around 8:15, with Mom thinking it must be only 6:30.
And to keep this LJ-focused, grandmamallama was there. (Grandpapallama was not; as a result, I had to serve as my own DJ. Maybe that's why you would've John Denver. PS: If you want a funny song, "Saturday Night in Toledo OH" qualifies.)
6/XX: Father's Day * 6/17: my birthday * 6/22: Dad's birthday * 6/26: Mom & Dad's anniversary * 7/10: Chad's birthday * 7/17 Mom's birthday
So Chad and I shook things up by throwing M&D a surprise 35th anniversary reception in one of the upstairs rooms at the Civic Center. I served as the Judas goat -- I love that phrase -- with Chad claiming that the party was for me. And why not? The party was on the 17th.
It's sad to admit, but Dad's clueless. I mean, he had several clues:
(1) We had M&D's friends/families/employees all write up fond memories, the Canaan crew among them. So color them surprised when Dad showed up the night before the party. "Where's Betty? Isn't it your anniversary?" Dad, who's had trouble not with the date but with the number of years, was genuinely worried.
(2) Once M&D got me to the Civic Center on Saturday, Dad noticed "Beam anniversary party" amongst the roster of events. (I had previously asked the party planner to eliminate "anniversary", and he did -- on the sign immediately outside the room.) Dad shook it off.
(3) Dad walked into the room. Somebody wished him "Happy anniversary" and responded, "No. It's Brad's birthday!"
Mom's big concern when she thought Chad was running the show was that he hadn't ordered enough food. Chad, in turn, was concerned that I ordered too much. (Unfortunately I did, but it was inevitable; I issued an open invitation to our church. So, it was hard to tell whether 3 or 63 people would show up in addition to friends and family.)
But it was a good party; guests included an aunt, an uncle, my grandfather, some neighbors, friends (church and non), and a video tribute from Dad's West Coast-based uncle, aunt, and cousins. The party ended around 8:15, with Mom thinking it must be only 6:30.
And to keep this LJ-focused, grandmamallama was there. (Grandpapallama was not; as a result, I had to serve as my own DJ. Maybe that's why you would've John Denver. PS: If you want a funny song, "Saturday Night in Toledo OH" qualifies.)