Dad and Rita's 20th anniversary

I can seriously not even believe how many photos I posted yesterday. That was NUTS!! Robin actually loaded them for me, and I wasn't about to try to commentate throughout them, so I just did the single paragraph at the end. WHEW. Anyhooo... moving on...Pops and Nana recently celebrated their 20th anniversary. and they were TOTALLY shocked when they arrived and all their friends were there to greet them. I mean, they had NO IDEA!!Hey MoZart Retreaters from Fall 2011, remember The Warehouse?! Well, that's where all of this went down!Most of their friends I have known practically my whole life. Some LITERALLY my whole life! Dad made his way around about 8 or more tables to shake everyone's hands. WHAT?! Even Justin Bieber showed up. Ha. I mean Hayden Lee. These people have been in my life for as long as I can remember. I grew up in church with them. Here's "Uncle" Carey, Mr. Mike, and Mr. Bill. This is Rita's dad and two brothers. and this is her best friend, Judy, her sister, Mary Louise, and her mama. This is a good shot of Rita and her dad. ANd a good one with her mom. Here are Miss Janice, Miss Brenda, "Aunt" Dottie, and Miss Linda. Many of these folks' kids I also grew up with. In fact, Miss Barbara, below, lived one street over from me when I was kid. I used to play with her daughters. And our mini doberman pincher, Spuds, went to live with them, because we found out later, they fed him steak most nights. I suppose I don't blame him. Look at that happy couple. Come on, TG, at least try to fake it! You too, Hayden! BOYS!Isn't he cute? I am so glad when he comes to hang with us. He does NOT like to hang with his aunt, uncle, daddy, mom, etc. He is not a fan of the adult population at this juncture of his life. Check out this cool cake. Did I mention they got married on Leap Day 20 years ago? So, theoretically, they've only been married 5 years. Have I also mentioned that Todd LOVES for me to take his picture? Well, he does!! He's crying with happiness here, so he hid his face. It was an overall big shindig. Toasts were made and several folks spoke on behalf of the couple. That dude next to Rita will soon be her brother in law. Mary Louise is marrying him in a couple of months. I'll admit it is a little odd to me that they have been married 20 years, when I can so clearly remember when my mom and dad were going through a divorce after 23 years of marriage. Those are just both really big numbers! And it's amazing that I have watched dad be married to Rita for almost as long as I watched him be married to my mom. Just a little surreal, that's all. I gotta admit, I do have a good stepmom. She will cook for me when I need emergency pies (MoZart Retreaters, I can't take credit for that banana caramel pie at all!). She will help me run the girls from place to place when I need her. So, as far as stepmoms go, I lucked up in that department. And I think my dad met his perfect match. ANY day you go to their house, they are sitting on their backporch, rocking, and pretty much chillin'!!That's his favorite thing in the world to do, and I think Rita's favorite thing in the world to do is just be with him, so if rocking is where that is, then rocking is what she'll do. So, Dad and Rita, I wish you many more years of wedded bliss. Many more miles in that rocking chair. And many more banana caramel pies my way! Happy Anniversary from us! We love you. Todd, Mel, Ellie and Gabbi.

MO