On September 21st my 2 brothers, sister-in-law, husband and I successfully surprised my parents with a party to celebrate their 40th anniversary! All the months of planning and tightly zipped lips (so hard for me because I chit chat with my mom about everything ---especially party planning!) saw their fruition in the flabbergasted expression of my dad, and my mom's ecstatic beaming grin at the sight of very dear lifelong friends all gathered to commemorate their marriage.The Sunday began with a series of decoy activites because they had gotten wind that we were concocting secretive plans. So the brothers and I came up with a full day of doings that would culminate with a lovely dinner and scavenger hunt in hopes that they would expect no further surprise.
Bright and early on the 21st Andrew drove Mom and Dad to Long Beach to meet Marty and I for a French Mediterranean breakfast at La Creperie on 2nd street. After our Parisian yummies we walked along the quaint streets and then headed to church at First Baptist Lakewood where Andrew directs the worship most Sundays.
After the service we skedaddled back to Encinitas to meet up with John and Kelly and get ready for an early dinner. I had made reservations at their favorite Italian restaurant called Viggilucci's. They knew we were taking them to eat, but were convinced that it was the party and nervously expected something of a surprise when they walked in. This video shows the relief my dad felt when we told him "this is it, sorry to disappoint you, but it's just us".
After the service we skedaddled back to Encinitas to meet up with John and Kelly and get ready for an early dinner. I had made reservations at their favorite Italian restaurant called Viggilucci's. They knew we were taking them to eat, but were convinced that it was the party and nervously expected something of a surprise when they walked in. This video shows the relief my dad felt when we told him "this is it, sorry to disappoint you, but it's just us".
Towards the end of the meal we presented the surprise scavenger hunt we had created for further diversion, and to allow us time to set up the party venue. We had drafted a series of clues that would lead them to various "memory spots" of their early life together. They were to drive to each location and take a cellular photo of themselves and text it to us and then we'd text back the next clue. The final clue brought them to Seacoast Community church where 60 of their friends had lovingly gathered in their honor.
Here are a couple of the clues, answer locations and the pictures they were able to snap:" Years 1966-1968; any given Wednesday. A single silver dollar for a full spaghetti meal. Self-snap a 40-yr kiss in front of the former site." :: The Courthouse Restaurant (La Jolla) :: 
"Years 1968-1977. Ten-cent cream & a seminal frijole recipe feed the start of a new family together in a surfer's paradise of numbered streets. Get us both a Grey pic & a sugar cone snap at the former site." : The Grey House (Del Mar) :
Wow you are an amazing party planner. What a special way for your parents to celebrate their journey of 40 years of marriage. How great that they have stayed committed to each other through the ups and downs of life.
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