It was absolutely, positively the best party ever! Having been forbidden entry while the clubhouse was being set up, we hung around here until it was time to go. Early in the day, we were happy to hear from Patrick and Natsue, who called with good wishes, and to receive neighbor Roman K., who stopped in with a card and bottle of champagne. Alison and her Mike came about 9:00 and took the fifty beautiful roses our Mike had sent; we didn't see them again until we walked into the clubhouse a little before noon.
We gasped at how beautiful it looked! In the foyer, Alison had set up a table with family pictures, the bride and groom top from our original wedding cake, little white boxes with gold-wrapped chocolates in them for favors, the garter I had worn for "something blue," and the roses from Mike. On the open glass doors into the main room, she had hung my wedding gown on one side and on the other, the christening dress all my babies had worn.
The main room looked elegant! Round and rectangular tables were covered with the linen tablecloths, and there were pots of flowers and three balloons on each. The long food table was also decorated with flowers and next to it was a drinks table with wine, glasses, ice buckets, and pitchers of ice water; beer, iced tea, and soda were ready in the four coolers we borrowed.
Soon the place filled with guests. What a wonderful mix of new friends, old friends, and dear family--seventy of them, all laughing and talking and having a ball. I think there were about a third each of those groups, including Pat's "bay buddies" (also called, we were told, "wharf rats"), a perfect mix. My brothers from California and Virginia and their families were there, plus nieces and nephews from New York, Baltimore, and North Carolina. Pat's brother, and his wife, and daughters came, along with his lovely niece, Donna. Especially welcome, of course, was my own twin sister, Betty, my maid of honor all those years ago.
The food was superb! Staff from The Grapevine came right on schedule at 12:30 and set up the buffet with the hot food; the sandwich trays were uncovered, and everybody dived in. It was really excellent: the hot food (pasta and chicken marsala) delicious and the sandwiches good and fresh.
Of course, the company was even more enjoyable. People we haven't seen for years came: Bob M., who was an usher at our wedding, was there with his wife; Marilyn M., whom I met at Rider 30 years ago, stopped in with her boyfriend; others from our past lives were there.
After everybody had socialized, eaten and drunk, Alison called for attention. She held up the topper from our wedding cake and asked each person to hold it and say something relating to the occasion, but to speak no longer than 15 seconds, then pass it to the next person. This was a wonderful idea: Everybody briefly expressed congratulations, love, and friendship to us and of course, there were laughs and tears--just so much honest emotion.
Next, Mike set up a screen and showed a wonderful slide show of our early, middle, and present lives which everybody enjoyed. After more talking, laughing, and visiting together, people said goodbye and drifted out.
We invited the relatives back to the house and Betty, her daughter, SIL, and two grandchildren came, along with Frank, Marybeth, Patrick and Susan; niece and spouse, Joan and Jim; their son, Jeremy; nephew Tim; Joel, Jen, and kids; and cousin John. Alison and Mike came later, bringing leftovers of food and drink, and we all had a ball for an hour or two. It was so much fun we decided to continue the party today: I'll bring the food and drink down to Betty's, we'll have lunch, then go to Rosborough Avenue to tour our childhood home.
After they left, I gave Pat some of the sandwiches for dinner, ran out to the dollar store to get more containers, took the warming racks back to The Grapevine, then stopped at the clubhouse to be sure everything looked all right. Good lord, it was spotless--you never would have guessed that seventy people had eaten, drunk, and socialized in there! Alison, Mike, and a host of our dear friends had not only set up, but cleaned up--is it any wonder we love it here?
Pat and I opened our cards and some gifts last night (we had specified "no gifts," but a few people decide to give us something anyway). Instead of wine and popcorn, I treated myself to a Coors Light and goldfish crackers, then went happily to bed, finishing up this wonderful experience.
Before our walk today, I took Susan lunch for her and Walter: several mini-sandwiches, a tray of cookies, and two cold beers. Met Judy and she repeated how much fun she and Roman had had yesterday.
Well, the whole day was terrific beyond words--mostly due to Alison.
My sweet, darling, much-loved daughter and her marvelous husband left at 7 am today for a six-day vacation in upstate New York. Not sure what we did to deserve such family and friends, but it must have been something wonderful.
And hey, next week we travel to Washington for brother Jim's fiftieth!