Our Jewish Family: A 45th Anniversary and Family Reunion

Happy 45th Anniversary Diane and Michael!

One of our absolute top memories of 2013 will be traveling to Stroudsburg, PA for the 45th anniversary party of Diane and Michael, where we were able to be together with the entire Jewish side of the family.

Wedding Photo

A little introduction: My Uncle Stan married my Aunt Vicki, who sadly passed away too early. She has a sister, Diane. Diane, Michael and their children feel like family to us. There are so few of us on the Jewish side of the family, that we have extended the definition of 'family' just a little bit to include them. 

The View

We traveled on a Friday and returned on a Monday afternoon at the end of June.

Our Residence for the Weekend

We stayed in a little cottage on the grounds where the big party was held.

The Grounds

Over the years, we have seen Diane and Michael a few times when they have generously come to visit us. Other than the small number of times I have seen Diane and Michael, Stan and a couple of other members of the family, I have either only seen some people once or twice in the past 15 years or not at all.

The Whole Crew!

Seeing everyone and being together in a big family environment is something that filled my heart with such joy.

Dinner Crew: Dan, Marilyn, Stan, Sandie, Michael, Diane, Beth, Stephen and Mom

We spent every meal gathered at Diane's house, where she had prepared insane amounts of food (what else is a Jewish mother to do? :)). 

Cousin Stephen says I am 'too sweet', so to get this picture I told everyone to 'shut up and stop talking'! It worked!

A Game of Hats: Diane and Maddie

Despite all of the other family Diane had to take care of, she still found time to worry about whether there was food I could eat, to make sure the venue for the party was handicapped accessible and to ask if I'd like to bring a reclining chair to the reception if I didn't feel I could sit up the whole time. 

Diane and Me

What a gift to have someone go to so much extra effort to make sure that I felt included.

Diane, Mom and Me.

I made myself right at home on the comfy furniture.

Me and Mom

Somehow I managed to attend dinner Friday evening after a nap Friday afternoon, lunch and dinner on Saturday, the party on Sunday afternoon, dinner on Sunday evening, and lunch Monday afternoon before we left to come home.

 Most everyone else was at Diane and Michael's house all or most of the days, but we had to leave so that I could rest. A lot. It took a lot of extra meds and a lot of help from my mom to get through the weekend, but it was 100% worth it. 

A Toast From Uncle!

I hope you'll join me as I share more about the weekend and introduce you to my family.

Sister and Brother

Mom and her brother got to see each other for the second time this year. 

Uncle and Me

I love being "Beautiful Niece" and was excited to feel so much better on this trip than I did when we traveled to Chicago for Uncle's 80th birthday party.

Having too much Fun

I hope I enjoy life when I am 80 as much as he does :) And did Sandie either dodge all of these photos, or did I leave her out? :(

Beth and Stephen

In addition to seeing Stan and Sandie again this year, we saw my cousin Stephen and his wife, Beth, with whom I've become fast friends. 

Daughter and Father

We all had so much more time to talk compared to the very, very brief time we were together for Stan's 80th party.

Cousin Dana

After this last visit, I think Dana and I can now say we've seen each other four times in the past 15 years?

Aawwww...

This wonderful loving couple have been through so much together, and continue to share such a deep love and affection for one another. We can all only hope to be so fortunate in love.

At the Sunday Party

Diane and Michael have three children: Karen and Jonathan (twins) and Daniel, as well as four grandchildren (all girls! :))

Karen and Maddie

I have not seen Daniel, Karen or Jonathan since I was 13 years old and attended Karen and Jonathan's B'nai Mitzvah. Other than being in touch with Karen via FB, I haven't been in touch with any of them, met their spouses or their children!

How amazing to reconnect as adults and meet the whole crew!

Spin Me Again, Daddy!

During lunch on Saturday, I got to catch up with Karen, and meet her husband Loren, and daughter, Maddie. 

Loren and Maddie

Me, Maddie and George. 

Maddie wasn't into having too many people hold her, so I was pretty excited that she gave me a few minutes of her time. :)

Stella, Jonathan, Camellia and Jenny

I didn't get to see Jonathan, his wife Jenny, and their daughters Stella and Camellia as much as I would have liked (I think me and the girls were on opposite nap schedules!), but goodness did I ever enjoy meeting them all. 

Listening to the Mushy Speech: Stella, Jenny, Jonathan and Camellia

Buddies: Me and Camellia. 

Camellia and I had lots of fun together at the Sunday afternoon party. All those speeches were a little long for her. :)

Daniel, Stan, Stephen and Cristina

Daniel (far left) is married to Cristina (far right).

Gabrielle and her Buddy

They have a daughter, Gabrielle, who had a friend tagging along with her for the trip. 

Gabrielle, her friend and Cristina

Marilyn, Diane and Mom

We were also joined by Diane's cousin, Marilyn, and her husband, Dan.

Party!

The anniversary party took place in a beautiful setting, with wonderful food, good company and lots of toasts from family. 

The Head Table

Time to Recline

I took Diane up on her offer to recline after the meal, and settled in for the toasts and slideshow. 

Michael and Diane Share Their Love Story

Michael's speech had us all in tears.

Jonathan and Karen

And the kids roasted...

Gabrielle Assists Karen in Roasting Michael and Diane

and toasted…their parents.

Dancing

After Diane and Michael shared the first dance...

Gabrielle and Stella Burn Up the Dance Floor

The granddaughters kept us all entertained with their first-class moves.

Beth and Stephen

We were able to sit at a table of just the family: Stan, Sandie, Stephen, Beth, Dana, Marilyn, Dan, Mom and me. Diane, Michael and their immediate family sat at the head table.

Daniel, Stan, Stephen and Cristina

Look at those stylish men! 

Me and Mom

Mom and I will forever hold the memories of this weekend in our hearts and hope that we will not go this many years again without seeing this wonderful family of ours, who traveled from Texas, California, Georgia and Illinois to be with Diane and Michael on their 45th anniversary.

Diane and Me

We are so thankful to Diane for welcoming us into the arms of the family as if we were blood relatives, and for her constant concern and consideration for our needs.

Diane and Me

Diane knows what a Herculean effort it took for me to get through the whole weekend, be at all of the meals and push through. She made me feel that I could be myself, and not worry about embarrassing anyone while I reclined at the party. 

I'm not sure I would have been brave enough to go on this big trip and visit without knowing that everyone knew what to expect when they saw me and knowing that it was okay. 

Wedding Photo Signed by all of the Guests this Summer

We wish Diane and Michael many more years of love and companionship. May you remember to do what you have done for the past 45 years: never go to bed mad at each other.

Blessings,

Emily

Note: Thanks to Marilyn and Dana for some of the extra photos!