Here's the Story

from Jana-
For our precious friends and family who could not join us for Bob and Floyce's 50th anniversary party, I will try to give you a recap of all things fun, surprising, and exhausting-

By the way, it really wasn't a complete surprise- after the party, they told us that so many people they hadn't heard from in a while called or emailed to say happy anniv., or things like "we know you'll be surrounded by your loved ones," etc. They wondered how so many people knew what was going on. It really was sweet of everyone, but for those of you planning a SURPRISE party, you need to DEFINE the word, and specifically say "please do not even act like you have a clue that it is their special day, do not email, do not mail cards to their house, etc, until 24 hours AFTER the party!" We did get many cards mailed to my house, and I thank every one of you, and also those well-meaning friends who just couldn't help themselves!

I just have to say, my sisters amaze me at how talented they are:
Terri- the gourmet chef, who could make glue taste scrumptious,

Becky- who could decorate circles around Martha Stewart, and make burlap seem like satin,

Jill- who flies in from TX late afternoon, survives Atlanta traffic with Erin driving (love you Erin;)) and walks in the fellowship hall the night before just asking what she can help with, and smiling the whole time, and who made the awsome programs, bookmarks, and ordered the favors and napkins

Me- well, i guess i'm good at telling everyone it's time to eat

Wed. night Terri arrived, she stayed at Becky's house, she ran to hide any time the door opened, thinking it was Daddy. And planned the menu and program, worried that she was going to forget something, or that we didn't have someone assigned to the ice station for drinks. Poor thing, she couldn't sleep b/c she worried herself about who was going to speak, what they would say, etc.

Becky was feeling sick the whole 2 wks before and during- tooth abscess, antibiotics, planned root canal for the week after the party, and Hemoglobin at a wimpy 6 (normal for females 12-14) The doctor was surprised she could even walk in his office alone. She just had a 6 hour long iron infusion yesterday - and it was at the oncology clinic, but thank you God, she has no type of cancer. Pray for her through her root canal tomorrow :(

So if y'all don't know these two, it's very funny to see them work together, b/c they are so different- Becky has a vision in her head of what is to happen, is very methodical, and will work til she drops. Terri, on the other hand, has many visions playing through her head at one time, and she is speaking them out loud trying to figure out which one will work, is the leader/bossy type telling us what needs to be done, then changing it 5 minutes later.

(Our new joke about Terri: What makes Terri a great governement employee?
1. she's inefficient
2. she doesn't listen
3. but she has good intentions!!!) Seriously- we poke fun at her, but she is really a lot of
fun and one of the most dedicated daughters/sisters I know!
Anyway, I'm droning on about us- you want to know about the honored couple!

Holton got Daddy out of town Friday night to Athens for the Ole Miss/GA game, in case he suspected something and went to all the hotels looking at license plates. Sat. am Holton/Becky picked them up, we met at his office to ride together, and then he stopped up the road a bit, and made Mama and Daddy put on blindfolds, telling them that they had a big surprise ahead before we went to eat. The whole way, Daddy was trying to figure out where we were by the stops, turns and bumps. Mama said, "Bob, if you were ever kidnapped, they'd throw you out quick!"
We got to the church, led them inside, and everyone was shouting happy anniversary.
They were crying, and it was truly incredible that every one of Mama's living brothers and sisters came all the way from MS just for this- Alice, Dub, Ada, Felix, and Aunt Sue's husband Herb, their spouses,and many kids and grandkids of Theirs. 2 couples from Tullahoma at their previous church came, and of course Bob and Mary Jo Givens, their best friends from Greenwood. Almost everyone who was invited from their church came, overall around 100 people.
Mrs. Mary Turner played piano while everyone ate, friends and family spoke about the couple: Uncle Dub read Proverbs 31 and said " this was written about Floyce" (I about lost it there), Uncle Felix was crying when he talked about Mama and baby Terri getting on that plane to Germany, knowing they wouldn't see them for 3 yrs. Basil spoke about their travels together, and Daddy's friend Billy Seay, from Spartanburg, SC, spoke about their early Air Force days.
Mary Jo and Bob, crying, more crying....and laughing....
Erin and Haley singing... more crying
Video of children and grandchildren......everyone crying.........
Cutting the cake- they were excited about that, never had one at their wedding!
Fellowship with dear friends, and that night Becky invited all out-of-town family over to her house for a mini-reunion- that was so much fun- Ava was excited to have Lindy there to play with.
The next day, we all went to their church with them, then back to their house to open presents and Ada and Basil came over. I had a chance to read all the cards, and , y'all!!! they were so sweet!!! They really appreciated all of the kind words.

Since my camera is still at Becky's house, please visit Emily's blog http://tatesteam.blogspot.com and see her slideshow
I can't believe the party is over, here's to many more years of love for them! I love you, Mama and Daddy!