Beyond the
HALF-Century Mark--Oh MY!My birthday is at the end of August and, this year it came and went while we vacationed at Pawley's Island for the week. We had dinner and a little 'party' with my brother and sister-in-law and I thought it was over!
The day after we returned home from our vacation, I had a listing presentation that I was doing with one of my partners, Scott. We had planned to have a 'birthday dinner' with he and his wife that evening. However, just before heading out to dinner, I received a call about my mother and had to rush to Georgia to be by her side. I phoned my partner, Scott, and his wife, Jacquie and told them that we weren't going to be able to make it for dinner. They told me then that since I was going to be in Georgia for a few days, they needed to let me know that friends from Charlotte and others from out of town were gathering for a surprise birthday party. Bummer, but I had to go to Georgia to be with my Mom and wasn't going to get to see our out-of-town friends before they headed back to Michigan.
Fast-forward to September 6--I'm home from Georgia after having been down twice with my Mom as she made a miraculous recovery, and Ray & I headed over to Scott & Jacquie's to have dinner with the two of them and my brother and sister-in-law. This time we made it!
For weeks, Jacquie & Scott had been talking about their new landscaping in their backyard around their pool and I couldn't wait to see what they had done. So, as they knew I would, I headed for the backyard and was completely startled to find many of my favorite people back there shouting 'SURPRISE!'
My hubby and several friends and family members had organized this for several months--they had planned it to be that day and the 'surprise' when my mother became ill was planned to make me think that evening was the REAL surprise. (Some elaborate plan, huh?!) Ray had coordinated the caterer, the margarita machine (which never ran dry, believe it or not--compliments of I-NeedA-Margarita.com!), the horrible sign and all of the decor for the party!
Jacquie and Scott hosted the party at their home and worked countless hours to prepare for this half-century event! Oh, yes, it was the BIG 5-0 for me! They were the best host & hostess and worked so hard to prepare their home and yard for this. My girlfriend, Kim, had all RSVP's addressed to her so that no one would be phoning or mailing to our home. She and my sister-in-law, Elizabeth, made certain that all of the details were handled--including last-minute shopping!
And my friends and family made it QUITE the event that I'll NEVER forget! Catering by The Gourmet Lunchbox was prepared to perfection--the food remained fresh and hot for the entire evening.
Here are some of the photos from the party:
Nancy,
our firm's secretary, who had as good a time as anyone! 
The Party
Planners!
Margaritas,
unbelievable Mexican food, and good friends...
Ray, the
man with the plan! Sneaky guy!
Everyone
worried that Scott would tell me about the surprise...Can I trust you Scott?! You're a bit sneaky, aren't you?!
No
description necessary!
Invitation
and cake--Ray didn't miss a thing!
SURPRISE!
Thanks baby doll! You not only made me feel like a Queen on September 6, you do this every day of your life for me.
So, I've begun the second half of my century--all I can say is that it just keeps getting better every day!
It was delicious. We had a lot of fun. It sounds like you had a lot of fun on your special day. Your husband Ray is really a special guy to put together such a surprise for his beautiful lady. The big 50 is definitely a milestone birthday. One of my partners had his 50th last year and it was quite a party. Like walking into the past. I'm almost afraid to find out what they will do for mine come March. All I can say. No black balloons allowed. After all 50 is the new 30 and I'm definitely not ready for a rocking chair and somehow I don't think you are either. When my next year's B.D. rolls around and I have my party. I'll have to share whatever pics we have, unless of course some of them aren't for public viewing and then we'll have to leave those ones out. lol. Well I'll let you go. I will be keeping you and Ray in my prayers. Let us know when you can how he is doing. Have a terrific day. :-)
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