The last two weeks have been CRAZY and I can F I N A L L Y tell you about it!!
My mom's birthday is Wednesday, the 18th. A few weeks ago, my aunt Gail text me and asked if this was the big 6-0 or if she was 59. After some calculating {and confirming with my dad!}, we figured out it is her 60th! That meant one thing -- we had to plan a party! A surprise party! My dad said he would make reservations for dinner somewhere and gave me a guest list. He told us girls that the decorations and dessert were up to us. So, Tricia, Jenny and I jumped on Pinterest and began pinning away.
We decided on a theme and I fell in love with it! "FORMERLY 59"
You guys! I had a little factory going on in my kitchen! There were decorations, favors, and everything in between set up on my counters and table.
I decided to paint some bottles for table decorations. Seemed easy enough...pour paint on the inside, swish it around, let it dry, put a cork on the top and voila:
SIDE NOTE: Call me before you do anything like that so I can knock you over the head with a rolling pin and then just pray for God's grace and mercy to flow over you. ;) They did turn out cute, but it wasn't easy getting there.
One of the funnest things for me was going through old photos. One evening, while my parents were at church, I snuck over and brought home some albums.
YOU GUYS...my mom's dress!!! So short!!
At the party, I said, "MOOOOM, look how short your dress was!" Her response? "Well, I had hot pants on under it." AND??? Oy. ;)
So sweet. My parents in high school...
The beautiful, 17 year old bride. Gasp! {Does it bother anyone else that she had a LIT candle in her flowers?}
Mom, really? This is just...well...plaid.
I'm sorry, I can't hear you over MY HAIR.
So, the favors were coming along nicely. The table decorations were almost finished. I had all the RSVP's in order. My dad had taken care of the reservation for dinner at Sam's Tavern. Everything seemed to be in order. Until Tuesday morning.
We'd had some more snow, so Eric was up at 4 am to check the roads. He came back to bed around 4:30 and said, "Are you awake?" "Yes." "You might want to look at this." Then he proceeded to show me these pictures:
I know it was early in the morning, and my eyes were groggy, but that looked like Sam's Tavern.
With firemen...and water...
and fire...
I could have hyperventilated. Not only was it a local icon that was burning to the ground, but it was also the family favorite where we were to have mom's surprise party in THREE DAYS.
I text my dad {mind you, it is only 5 am!}
Of course my dad already knew because, well, he is my dad and knows everything! Ha! We hit the ground running that morning. We tried several restaurants, but they were all booked with Christmas parties. That evening, we had a small miracle happen. I really do count it as a miracle. ;) My dad got a call from the employees at Sam's and they were putting their private parties at another restaurant that Sam owns.
The Montrose, formerly a home built in 1870 which later became McCulloch Steakhouse, is used for private parties, wedding receptions, and the like. When I found out we could have the party there, I felt like crying. It was such a relief!
And, you know what the hard thing was through all of this? I couldn't say ONE WORD about it to my mom! She kept calling all week, asking me to run errands with her. I kept coming up with excuses, but wanted to scream, "I'M BUSY WORKING ON YOUR PARTY! LEAVE ME ALONE..." Kidding! Sort of...
Friday morning, I finally gave in and ran a few errands with her. One errand turned into two. Two turned into four. I was trying to nicely tell her that I needed to get home so I could "get some things done". Bless her heart, she had no idea.
F I N A L L Y it was party time! We arrived early to start decorating.
And then, we waited.
My dad and sister had concocted a little plan. Mom thought she and dad were meeting my brother for pizza. As they were leaving, Tricia called mom saying she had a work party at The Montrose and her sitter bailed at the last minute and needed her and dad to get the girls for a couple of hours. It worked! Dad even said that mom grumbled the whole way there about having to drive to pick them up! Ha!
I think she was surprised!
And very, very happy.
The food was beyond delicious. Roast beef, fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, macaroni and cheese, coleslaw, rolls and a beautiful dessert tray.
Everyone was all smiles.
And mom even seemed happy with her new bladder control pants.
I was thrilled that it was time to enjoy and relax.
Thankful for some special friends that came out to celebrate, too!
Happy birthday, Mom! We love you more than you know.
Let me just add a quick note about this man:
This party was only possible because of him. We are blessed to know, love, and be a part of these two people. We tease about my dad being hard core. Quiet. Reserved. A little scary. But, he is a BIG OL' SOFTY!!! He offered up a prayer for of thanks for my mom and for the meal and he got choked up and started crying. I will never forget it. He loves my mom more than anything and it is just awesome. :)
