Happy 50th Wedding Anniversary Mom and Dad!

The date June 11, 2010 is exactly 50 years from the date my parents exchanged wedding vows as young adults. Fast forward, and I do mean fast forward, 50 years to the 50th Wedding Anniversary celebration held at the Homewood Suites in York, PA.

Friends and Family reunited for a celebration in honor of my parent's commitment and testament of their love.

Joining our family in the celebration were family & friends from near and far, including Dolores, my Mother's friend from her first real job as a young women in NYC at Liggett & Myers Tobacco Company,; Bob and Andrea, one of my Mother's nephews, Bob, and his wife, Andrea, who travelled from CT for the celebration; Ginnie, Nancy and Bill, and Jane and Don, all long-time friends with lots of memories and history from York; and Bonnie and Dick, valued and special friends from New Port Richey, FL. Mom and Dad had satellite toasts both on and previous to the June 11 celebration in March in AZ with Aunt Marijane, Uncle John, Geralyn, Michael, and Katie; and in New Port Richey the night of the anniversary from George and Diane who raised their glasses to celebrate this momentous occasion; and from Tennesse from Jack and Jeannette; Uncle Joe and Aunt Babe toasted and celebrated to Mom and Dad's continued happiness and health from Jupiter, FL; while Mom's childhood and special friend Pat with her husband Phil commemorated this milestone with wedding memorobilia and heart-felt thoughts and messages.

While the cummulative months and years culminated in a wonderous night of camraderie and celebration, it is the daily strength of character, the focus on commitment, the strong foundation for family and friends that catapulted us to raising our glasses and celebrating the 50th Wedding Anniversary of Mom and Dad.

To that effect, Lisa wrote a heart-felt and to-be-remembered toast that honored Mom and Dad. Lisa asked Lauren and Rachel for their help in delivering the toast and what a memorable moment was witnessed by all who received Lisa's thoughts and feeling on our parents lives and our future from their two grandchildren. Lauren and Rachel delivered the toast with poise and finesse and made their grandparents and parents proud.

It is bittersweet when such an anticipated event comes to its conclusion and this was one event that was not destined to end early, or even on time. We gathered around the table, pulling chairs together for proximity to share with one another stories, antidotes, anything really so as to extend the party, extend the time together in the name of Love. A 50 year testament to Love and Commitment as evidenced by our Mother and Father, GrandMom and GrandDad, Friend , Aunt, Uncle, Great Aunt and Great Uncle.