“Throughout life, you will meet one person who is unlike any other. You will be able to talk to this person for hours and never get bored. You will be able to tell them things and they will never judge you. This person is your best friend, your soulmate. Never let them go.”
Imagine being 14 years old and going to a dance with a boy who would end up being your boyfriend, and then husband for the next 6 ½ decades. Last weekend, 19 of us traveled to upstate New York to celebrate my in-laws 60th wedding anniversary. What an amazing milestone for such a wonderful couple who has taught all of us so much about what marriage is really all about.
To love and to cherish, through sickness and in health, were just a few of the many things that they professed to each other on a summer day in 1958. From that day forward they have impacted not only their three sons, but their wives and their seven grandchildren, actually eight with one who has recently married. They have set an unbelievable example throughout the years of what love, honesty, PATIENCE, friendship and communication really means. I am in no way saying they are perfect and neither are any of us, that’s what makes them so special. They have shared with us the ups and downs, the good and the bad, and stood by each other through everything. They make us laugh with their banter and give us so much to live up to. All of these things, as well as the many family dinners and vacations together, all contribute to why we are such a close family.
We knew that Phoenecia and Chichester New York, which is one of the northernmost communities in the town of Shandaken, was the perfect setting for their anniversary celebration. It has been a place dear to our family for five generations. My mother in-law’s grandparents built the first family house in that area in 1940. Since then, a part of almost every summer has been spent there fly fishing, hopping rocks, swimming in the brook and making memories that will last a lifetime.
Planning began in early November and the excitement continued to build. My party planning wheels started to turn and so many ideas flooded my head. I wanted to make this an extra special celebration for them. After “kidnapping” their wedding album, I made several copies of photos. One photo was made into a life size standing cut out to be used to welcome them to the airport. Jetlinx Indianapolis did a wonderful job decorating with the cutout, balloons and champagne for the perfect sendoff!
The Emerson Spa and Resort welcomed everyone and gave out the welcome bags that I had assembled especially for the weekend. Lunch at Brio’s and walking in and out of all the shops in Phoenicia made us all so happy. Fishing licenses, t-shirts and other goodies were a must-buy that day. Hors d’oeuvres down by the stream followed by a delicious dinner, a video presentation and stories filled our stomachs, as well as our hearts. I framed lots of their wedding photos to be used around the room along with wine bottles filled with twinkle lights and celebration banners purchased off of Etsy. Locally grown flowers adorned the tables and added such a beautiful feel to the evening. Listening to everyone talk about what was special to them about Linda and Jack just solidified even more, the legacy they have given to our family. “Family before everything” is our family motto thanks to them.
Breakfast at Sweet Sue’s was on everyone’s radar the next day. Banana Blueberry (Blue Monkey) pancakes are a majority favorite. Sue and her staff do such an amazing job! We converged on all of our adored places and were not disappointed at all! After a day playing whiffle ball, Euchre, walking along the stream and visiting other favorite spots, we ended the day with a lovely dinner at Tavern 214. Peter and his staff treated us like royalty and we loved every minute.
Our last day was spent walking around the iconic Woodstock, New York. Some things have not changed since the 1969 festival but this artists colony is so much fun to walk around. Woodstock has unique shops, galleries and fine dining as well as lots of areas to go hiking. Candlestock, the candle shop and the many t-shirt places are among our favorites. Everyone enjoyed lunch at Cucina, which is situated in a restored farmhouse with a country chic atmosphere. Our table on the porch was delightful along with the kale salad that I ordered.
It is sometimes hard to make everyone happy on a family vacation, but not when we are all in this special place. The constant laughter and banter amongst everyone was a sign that everyone’s heart was full. I know that my in-laws are still on cloud 9 and I hope that the many memories made this past weekend will stay with our family forever!
A marriage may be the union of two people that establishes rights and obligations between those spouses, but it also can leave a legacy so strong that it changes the lives around them. I thank my in-laws for shaping all of our lives and creating such a wonderful legacy for all of us to strive toward!
