50th Wedding Anniversary

Here we go -- for those of you who couldn't be here for Dad and Mom's 50th wedding celebration
We had a lot of fun planning this weekend. We started way last June 2009 at our family reunion with a guest list and jobs assigned to everyone. Ideas and menus, finding a date that suits and on and on . . .

found out there is even the possibility of being too organized and planning too far in advance as in this little episode:

Drove to the Senior Center one day last fall to check if we could reserve the place for next spring. "Oh, you are way too early. I don't even have my calendar for next year. I'll write those two days down for you. Next spring come in and I'll give you the key. you're all set."

This nice gal grew up in Northern Mn. Her dad and mom went to Williams school with the Skrivseth crew. They promptly sent Dad and Mom a beautiful anniversary card. All systems steam ahead.

This spring when I stopped in to check everything out again and pay for the two days she was quite frantic. "I forgot you wanted two days. I only saved Sunday for you and I have someone booked on Saturday afternoon." I took a deep breath and told her not to worry -- we would figure something out. She said, "Have you tried the city center?"

I said, "We did, but they don't rent it for family groups."

Determined look on her face, "They will for me."

We walked over to the city center and the gal behind the desk listened then said, "We don't rent it for family groups. You have to be a business."

Lori looked at me and said, "You just became a business."

Gal behind the desk saw that Lori would not be moved. "You'll have to talk to Mike. I can't rent it to you."

We waited for Mike to appear. Lori introduced me to him and told the whole story. He stroked his chin and said, "I think we can do that for Arnie." Later I told dad he has friends in high places.

So on Saturday, April 24, 2010 we gathered at the City Center in Blooming Prairie. Almost everyone in our family got to be here. How do you pack 50 years into two short open houses?

Ladina put together a lovely power point presentation. lots of old photos saw the light of day. We gathered old photo albums and brought them along so people could browse through them. Trenda made a scrapbook with more recent pictures.

Guests arrived and memories overflowed . . .

There was a time to share stories and memories.

Dave and Leah played guitar and violin and sang:

The Eliezer Call
O get ready, evening shadows fall
Can't you hear the Eliezer Call?
There's going to be a wedding
And our joy will soon begin
In the evening when the camel train comes in.

Dan sang Amazing Grace after someone went online and got the words for him since we had no song books in that place. Dad played a couple songs on the violin. Dawn, Ladina, Trenda and Maria bravely sang two of the old songs from days gone by. It was only by that Amazing Grace that we didn't break down and cry half way through because of all the emotions that float to the surface on a day like this.

Perspective of a nine year old going on ten . . .

Will there be anyone my age?

Looking at it from the eyes of a sixteen year old . . .
Why is the open house soo long?
11:30 - 4:00? That's such a long time!

Maria made decorations for each table. She found old drawers from an ancient sewing machine cabinet. A candle in each and decorative berries twined around the top. Sorry--wish I had a picture. Words are sometimes inadequate. The candles were cream and burgundy.

Carol brought a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

Food:

There were lots of salads to choose from. Including the world famous potato salad made by my friend, Viv. All the makings for sub sandwiches on bread or dinner rolls. There was punch and coffee. cake and ice cream

All together a day filled with fun and laughter. We missed all of you who couldn't be there.
At the last when everyone was gone we cleaned everything and hauled our stuff one block over to the Senior Center and set it up for the next day.

Went home -- to the Bible School and relaxed for the evening where there was more food and conversation and good times for all.