50TH ANNIVERSARY + VA VACATION

Jennifer B Photography_6851

Celebrating 50 years of Marriage / VA Summer Vacation

     I've been waiting for this for over two years.  I told my parents that when they have their 50th wedding anniversary, we need to have a vow renewal...my father jokingly replied "I already said yes once!" but when it came time to share their vows, they had me in tears.  So we planned a trip.  My father labeled it "50-75-50" since this week was all about making up for some celebrations since Covid kept us apart for way too long.  We had a 50th and 75th birthday and then the 50th anniversary.  It was a fun-filled week.  We chose VA since it is a good half way point  between me and my family.  It was a nice, warm, quiet lake.  The perfect retreat.

     Now I am no wedding planner, but I would do anything for my parents.  So I planned. I had lots of help.  Lewis brought up lots of Jack Hadden Florals (and a sweet ceremony background).  My dear friend, Sam, made two glorious cakes.  Tracey, my sis helped me make the dinner (shrimp & grits, brussels sprouts, mac & cheese) and Izzy helped make the charcuterie tray.  It was lots of work but lots of fun!

     Then came the ceremony.  My nephews were the groomsmen, my girls were the bridesmaids and Lewis, the flower-MAN!  He was also the officiant and did a great job.  My favorite part of Lewis's speech was "marriage is like a fine wine...it gets better with age as long as you put a cork in it".  My parents exchanged the sweetest vows and then had their first dance.  50 years ago they danced to "We've only just begun."  My father picked out the first song years ago.  My mother wanted "Can't Help Falling in Love with You" but dad won...so this time they danced to her song.  It was a prefect evening and a wonderful vacation.  I can now retire from event planning...LOL! Here's to many more years of happiness and to someday celebrating 50 with my sweetheart (that is you, Lewis).