Bobby decided to throw a birthday party for me. He decided to invite all my friends. He decided to cater it himself. He decided to hire a band. He decided that Karaoke should be play a part of the event. He decided a photo booth should be on-site. He decided to let my friend, Jessica, take the lead on decorations. He decided to rent a hall in Lodi so my dad, Bud, didn’t have to walk up or down steps. (Randi and Shaun surprised us by taking care of the rental fee for us.) He decided to be the most thoughtful, caring husband in the world. Oh, wait, he just is the most thoughtful, caring husband in the world!
Needless to say, I had a wonderful, no…legendary time. After my party was over and we had driven home, unloaded the car and put most things away, he asked me what my favorite part of the night was. There were so many memorable moments, I wasn’t able to narrow it down. So here are just a few of my favorite parts.
- My dad singing Frank Sinatra’s New York, New York during Karaoke. Earlier in the day I had asked my dad if he would sing it for me. He said, “I’ll have to see if I feel like it.”
Wendi’s dad received a standing ovation for his rendition of New York New York.
Posted by Bobby Warren on Saturday, June 2, 2018
That’s my dad. I didn’t push, but I just love hearing him sing any song, but especially New York, New York. When he got up and said the only reason he was singing it was because I asked him, I felt so special. My dad was the first man I ever loved and my first hero, too. Thanks for making this one of my favorite parts, Dad!
- The decorations around the room. When Bobby told me he was throwing me a party, we went over the details. I asked about decorations and he was like a deer in a headlight. He was clueless. Thankfully, Jessica, came to the rescue and accepted the challenge to make decorations for my party. They were awesome! When I walked in and saw the candles and the centerpieces that had pictures of me through the years, I got choked up. Jessica’s mom, Colleen, helped her with them as well and Jessica’s brother, Cliff, too. I felt so loved by the effort she put into making my party beautiful. Thanks for making this one of my favorite parts, Jessica!
- Seeing my friends walk in the room. I admit I had some trepidation regarding a party. I worried that no one would come. O.K. I knew my sister, Randi, her husband, Shaun, my mom, Dolores and my dad would be there along with Bobby, but other than that I wasn’t sure who would come. So every time someone came through the door, I was like, “Wow, they came to my party!” It was awesome seeing my childhood friend, Stephanie and her husband, Jeff come in the door.
It was great to see friends from church, Larry and Terry White and Dorn and Kandy Frame. My friends from work, Heather and Brian Walton, Connie and Kirk Benchoff, Stephanie Feltmeyer, and Samantha–Sam– and Jason Weber (Sam’s my boss!). Barb and John Bowers, who we’ve been friends with since Barb and I worked at MTD Acceptance Company. Jan and Ron Maxwell, who always spend my birthday with me. People who I have met through my life because of Bobby. People like Jim and Donna Dale Davis, Jim and Sue Smail, Kenny Hart and Dawn Hott, and Angie and John Giltner. Also, Jim and Sandy Whittlesey came — I know Jim through the Wayne County Committee for Crippled Children and Adults. We both serve on that committee. My Aunt Karen and her granddaughter (my second cousin, I think), Lilliana came, too! And so many others. Seeing you come and celebrate with me was amazing. I hope you had a great time, because you being there was one of my favorite parts!
- Taking silly pictures with friends and family. When I was in Boston last year, my sister-in-law, Michelle and brother-in-law, Glenn, and I went to party of friends of theirs who own Poppin Booth. It is a photo booth business that they set up at parties. I thought it was a great idea. Then Bobby told me that his good friend, Dan Starcher, had such a set up and that he was going to come to my party. I was thrilled to have Star Picture Booth at my party. After being married to Bobby so many years, I’m used to having my picture taken. (Bobby is a chronicler, so pictures often are taken.) Dan’s set up was so cool, we could take our picture and then get it sent to us in text. Each picture had a personalized banner that will forever remind people that they took their picture during my 50th birthday party. It was so amazing. Thank you, Dan, for making this one of my favorite parts! And to all of you who took pictures to capture the fun you had at my party.
- Singing Love Shack with Ron Maxwell. I love singing, but unlike my dad and my sister, Randi, I am only an adequate singer. I can carry a tune, but I sometimes am flat or sharp. Or I change keys in the middle of a song (my dad hates that!). But I don’t care. If you give me a microphone and a Karaoke machine, you can bet I will rise to the challenge.
Wendi and Ron Maxwell singing Love Shack. Thanks, Ron, for singing it with her.
Posted by Bobby Warren on Friday, June 1, 2018
One of my favorite songs is Love Shack by the B-52’s. Bobby had asked Ron if he would sing it with me. So, I got to sing one of my favorite songs, with one of my favorite people, at my party! It was great. Ron made it especially fun. Ron, thanks for making this one of my favorite parts.
- My mom’s pea salad. When my mom heard that we were having a party, she was like, “What do I need to do?” I said, “You need to make your coleslaw and pea salad.” Granted she did much more than that, but having her pea salad there for my friends to enjoy made this one of my favorite parts. Bobby said he really appreciated all the help she gave him at the party. He knew he didn’t have to worry about anything, because she had his back. Thanks, Mom, for everything and especially for making your delicious pea salad for my party! I’m glad you sent the leftovers home with me, too!
- Randi singing. As I mentioned, Randi is an awesome singer. In fact, Bobby and I both think she sings Jewel’s songs better than Jewel sings them. While you might think I am biased, you are wrong. Randi has an amazing voice. So she sang quite a few songs through the night. What was even cooler is that it wasn’t just with the Karaoke machine, but the band, Sudden Change. They played the songs while she sang. It was amazing. Thanks, Randi, for making this one of my favorite parts!
Randi Vahl singing Jewel.
Posted by Bobby Warren on Saturday, June 2, 2018
- Sudden Change’s musicality and customer service. The band, Sudden Change, was the band that Bobby hired for my party. They sing mostly 90’s music with a little classic rock thrown in. However, I’m a child of the 80’s. So when Bobby talked with them about playing at my party, they said they would pull out some 80’s music for me. Dan, Dave and Tommy were amazing. Dan is like this encyclopedia of music. When Bobby and I went to see them practice earlier in the week, I was amazed that he didn’t need the words to sing the songs. Everyone loved their music. Dan is terrific on the guitar. Dave can really play the bass and Tommy’s drumming was awesome. They were also so accommodating to us. They played two sets with the Karaoke between the sets. We were having such a great time with Karaoke, we probably took longer than they expected us to, but they didn’t complain. Thanks, Sudden Change, for making this one of my favorite parts.
- Dancing with my husband. Bobby and I were so busy during my party — me enjoying everything — him making sure the food was all good, that we didn’t have all that much time together. However, when John Giltner got up and sang Amore, Bobby and I started dancing. We weren’t the most graceful out there, but we were in each other arms and that is the best place in the world for me to be. Thanks, John for singing the song. Thanks, Bobby for making me always feel like the most special woman in the world. Thank you both for making this one of my favorite parts.
- Dancing with my friends. Whether it was to Garth Brooks’ “Friends in Low Places” or any other the great songs played, I enjoyed dancing with all of my friends who had the nerve to get up and shake their…you know! I’m never really shy about dancing. I might be considered one of those people who dance like no one is watching. But it is always good to be joined by others. Thanks for making this one of my favorite parts!
If you have made it this far in my blog post, thank you! I think as you get older you begin to ramble. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it! I just have this overwhelming feeling of gratitude for everyone and everything right now. And it’s only Day One of my birthday week! If you came and had a favorite part of my party, please comment about it below.
