I thought
I’d use Memorial Day to write about Josh’s Going Away Party. Saturday, May 19
was the big day to celebrate my amazing husband. It wasn't to celebrate the
fact that he was leaving. It was to celebrate the fact that he is serving our
country, the sacrifice he is making, and to let him know how much he is
appreciated and loved by family and friends.
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| Me & My Man |
Some of
Josh’s family was able to make the trip to Moline. His Mom, Dad, Sister
Michelle, and Uncle Bud traveled to Illinois to show their support. I was so
grateful that they were here. My Dad and Step-mom also came from Colorado for
the party. It really meant a lot that these people traveled all this way for
Josh’s send-off.
It was an
all-American party, from the Coast Guard service-member to the décor! Fun note:
the signs on the drink coolers were labeled VETERANS (Adult Beverages),
ENLISTED (Soda), and RECRUITS (Water). I’m telling you, when I pick a theme, I
stick with it!
We had so
much food! There was enough to last all day with plenty leftover! My Dad was
the grill master with the hot dogs, and I had lots of help with the food from
my Mom and Grandmas. We even had a teamworking cookie machine the day before
the party. Josh made the batter and then the cookies were baked by Cindy,
Michelle, and Connie.
Speaking of
cookies…
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| Cookie Bar |
Josh isn’t much of a cake man so we decided to have a cookie bar for
dessert. My grandma even made a huge batch of her chocolate chip cookies that
she always makes for Josh. And we ordered a giant cookie instead of a cake.
It was quite
the turnout. So many people came to show support for my man. I was so proud. He
even got some special drinks and a cigar from some of the guests. Sometimes he
is a little too humble to be the man of the hour, but he certainly deserved it
this time.
I was happy
to have several of my friends there to show support. Jon, Colleen, Erin, Tricia,
and Breanne all came. I know that handful of friends are going to be the ones
who are going to be here keeping me occupied over the next year. I’m really
lucky to have their care and support.
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| Breanne, Colleen, Anika, and Tricia |
Colleen and
I shared a couple awesome moments. She had all her kids with that day and our
children were bonding like crazy. While we were watching Dylan push Tyler
around on one of his toys Josh came up behind us and said, “You two have been
waiting for this moment for about 15 years, haven’t you?” Yes, yes we have.
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| Dylan & Tyler |
Dylan also
had a quiet moment with Kiley that I was really excited to catch with my camera.
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| Kiley & Dylan |
Dylan had way too much fun at the party. I'm sure he thought the party was for him. There ended up being a lot of kids there.
He was also getting awfully spoiled by Poppy (my dad). He took Dylan for a walk across the street and bought him an ice cream cone! Good thing he was still in his swim gear because I think he got more ice cream on this clothes than he did in his mouth.
Dylan may have thought the party was for him, but Josh was obviously the man of the hour. I think he told the same stories more than a dozen times. When he was leaving, where he was going, about the kind of ship he'll be on. I even saw him with his phone out at one point, showing a map of where to find Bahrain.
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| Talking to B-ry |
Overall, I think the party was quite a success. The kids seemed to love the Kids Zone in the back yard and it looked like the adults had fun too. So many people came to support Josh and wish him good luck. It was a great send-off. Josh even got support from California - Bryan called that evening.
I need to thank my Mom for weeks of help leading up to the party. She was there for me the whole time and I couldn't have gotten the party together without her and Bob. And a big thank you to everyone else who helped make the party such a success.
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| Anika: Wife, Mother, Party Planner :) |
On Memorial Day today, I'm thinking even more of my amazing husband and all our friends who have or still are serving. That small percentage of our Country's population deserves more than a few special days a year when everyone remembers the huge sacrifices they are making (or have made).
"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave." ~Elmer Davis
