Graduation/Surprise Anniversary Party

As soon as I told Mom that we were going to take Tyler to Ohio towards the end of my maternity leave to meet everyone, she said she wanted to throw Joe a Graduation Party.  I had been counting on that, we wanted to throw her and Dad a surprise party for their 40th Wedding Anniversary too.  Doing it during Joe's graduation party made it easier to organize, easier to get them there, and easier on our wallets too!  (Ofcourse that was the last piece of the party puzzle that she made easy on me.  I thought I could guide her to all of the decisions I had made for the party, instead, she fought me on each one, from the location and time down to ordering the food and when to setup!)

Trying to plan this party, in another state, while being very, very pregnant, and pulling it off shortly after having a baby, would have been impossible if not for my wonderful aunts and uncles!  Ron agreed to host the party at his church, and to cover any costs for that.  I had help tracking down addresses; Paula and Grandma helped with planning, ordering, and paying for food; and everyone helped with the deception for the surprise itself!  Marleen, Peggy, Donny, and Ron got extra decorations and did the entire setup for us, as well as the cleanup afterwards!  It was the easiest party I've ever thrown in that aspect!

We had a really good crowd!  The entire extended Machak family came.  The last time we were all together was 5 years ago at my Grandma's 80th Birthday Party, and I hadn't seen Marcie or Emilie since then.  Bobby and Valeria were the only Shultz' that couldn't make it, but it would have been quite a hike from India, so I can forgive them.  They did send a video message for my parents which was really nice.  There were also lots of Machak and Opalenik cousins, and as part of the surprise, some old friends of my parents including one of Mom's bridesmaids!

We managed to bring their Wedding Cake Topper, Unity Candle, and a copy of their Wedding Album as part of the surprise.  Joe and I each gave a little toast before cutting the anniversary cake.  Joe said, "Mom and Dad, when Sarah first told me about her idea to use this party as a way to surprise you, I thought not only was it a perfect plan, but a perfect chance for me to say, "Thank you."  You took on parenthood the same way that you approached marriage, with patience, humor, and love.  I wouldn't be here without you two... for obvious reasons, but I also wouldn't be here: a college graduate, celebrating with both sides of my amazing family.  You raised me the right way, so you share a part in all of my successes, as you do Sarah's, as you will Timmy and Tyler's, and in the future, in my kids.  So finally, let me just say thank you, I love you, and congratulations.  Here's to another 40 years!"  I followed with, "I absolutely agree with Joe that we are the people we are because we grew up as this family.  I feel blessed to have that example to guide my decisions with my family.  When I was getting ready for my wedding Mom shared a lot of advice with me, one anecdote that really stuck was, 'Marriage is a decision that you make every day.'  Here's to them making the same decision, every day, for the last Forty years!"  I will admit that I teared up while speaking, but I blame(d) it on leftover pregnancy hormones!