bELATED

An early morning update of the three blogs I read urged me to write about my own well-wishes for my parent's 34th Anniversary. I have to admit, I have a poor record for remembering my parent's anniversary, let alone actually commemorating it with a gift or otherwise. This year was no different. I called my mom on the 18th to tell her something (unimportant, I'm sure) when she kindly reminded me of the significance of the following day. So instead of forgetting again like I would normally do, I decided to make this Anniversary the beginning of a new era in which I will make it my mission to ensure that every Anniversary from here on out is adequately recognized for the astonishing achievement that it is! (Or, in the alternative, I will remember to send a card every year...)

Thursday, April 19 was a beautiful day in this part of the country that mom, dad and I call home. I was in a good mood. I didn't have much going on. I decided to call dad and craft a plan to surprise mom for their Anniversary. Dad informed me that he and mom didn't really have any plans for the evening but that they'd probably go out for dinner. I told him I'd make it over to their house about the same time he would be returning home from golf practice...and most importantly, I ordered him not to tell mom that I was coming.

At 6:00 I headed out my door to make the 35 minute drive to my parents house. I called mom and wished her a "Happy Anniversary" and told her to have a nice evening with dad. She asked what I was doing, I said I was just driving home from school (lie). We talked a little longer and then I said I had to go because I was finally at home. Then I called dad to tell him I was on my way and would be arriving shortly.

The drive was short -- as it always is -- because I generally spend that time on the phone catching up with out of town friends. I talked to Chrisy almost the entire way. I pulled up to my parents house and parked across the street. I ran up to the front door and rang the door bell. I didn't know what was going on inside at the time, but dad found a way to make sure mom answered the door (something she apparently never does). When she opened the door it was a progression of emotions. Mom can go from zero to tears of joy in a matter of seconds. And she did. First, it was shock...a smile....a joyous giggle...tears.

We had a lovely dinner at a fish restaurant inside the newly opened Bass Pro Shop near my parents house. We had a lovely conversation. I'm sorry we don't do that more often.

I'll close with the picture I snapped of mom and dad as they sat across from me at the restaurant. Here's to their Happy 34th and wishes of 34+ more years of the partnership they have formed and maintained so effortlessly.

the UNholiday

My friend Chrisy and her husband, Tony, flew into Kansas City on Thursday evening. On their way to Hays Friday morning they stopped off in Lawrence and picked me up so I could spend time with them while they were in the state. (They live in Dallas, TX now, in case you didn't know). I am always happy to spend time with the her family, mostly because I know I'll be fed more food than I ever need to eat. This weekend was no different. In fact, I think the whole weekend was centered on the meals Pam had planned to make us. It reminded me of mom and how excited she gets for her boys (and their plus ones) to come home, making her menu weeks in advance. It's very endearing.

The ride to Hays was interesting. Our friend, Lana, drove her Honda Civic two-door with Chrisy, Tony and I as her passengers. We stopped in Salina to pick up Chrisy's sister, Michelle, (She says, "HI Brandon") and thus capacity in the honda was at its max. I include a picture of the SNOW we encountered in Salina. It was April 6 and apparently mother nature decided this was a good time for a blizzard. Note the blooming purple tree in the center.

Anyway, we had a great weekend. I was able to see my friend Tara who recently had her first baby, Carter. What a cutie. Though I was a little concerned with the onesy he was wearing: "Roe v. Wade Survivor." Things are very different in Hays...I often forget that. I also went to a wedding shower for my friend, Nicki. She was a member of the very exclusive "BBF" when we were in high school. A group of friends, consisting of Me, Chrisy, Tiona, Nicki, Angie and Tara. The name came from a drunken Tara who exclaimed to us one night that she loved her BBF when she really meant BFF which everyone knows stands for "Best friends forever." The name stuck. And now, seven years later, Nicki is the last of the BBF to get married...besides me.

We also spent several hours dying Easter Eggs, which is obviously a practice I usually don't partake in anymore, but when in Rome...The eggs were actually quite immaculate when Pam decided to get out her glitter and other bedazzling trinkets! Fred, Chrisy's dad, was worried about what all the glitter would do to these eggs he'd be eating the next day. I casually responded, "No worries, Fred. You'll just be shitting glitter." I k i d y o u n o t. It got a great response! Here Chrisy and I are with an easter basket of our prized eggs!

Saturday night was a hit! We attended "New Beer's Eve" at Gella's; a celebration for a new beer they were releasing. I've included a picture of the new beer here. (Ok, that's a lie. This is actually the Lemon Ale which is much better than the new beer. Sorry, Gella's).

Originally, my weekend in Hays was to end on Saturday evening. I had convinced mom and dad to come to Hays as well so we could leave Saturday, as opposed to Sunday afternoon when I could catch a ride with Chrisy, etc. But Chrisy begged me to stay so I let mom and dad off the hook. The main reason I didn't want to stay in Hays was to avoid "Easter Sunday." I knew it was going to be a big deal at Chrisy's house -- they were expecting 20 some family members. But, I put my foot down and did not go to church, instead I just partook in the elaborate brunch buffet prepared by Pam and other family members.