There is one place I have been in my life that I love visiting over and over. Every time I hit Junction City on I70, I get a little excited. Then as I exit the Interstate and head into Manhattan, I can't help but smile. I love the Flint Hills. Rolling prairie dotted with cows.
Yesterday I loaded up the kids and we made the short drive to Manhattan. We had a lot to celebrate, you see, for I am not the only one who smiles when they drive into town. December 27th was my parents 40th wedding anniversary. Yep, 40. Not many make it this long any more. But my parents have and they met 40 years ago in Manhattan while students at KSU. My Dad told the story at the surprise lunch we had for them and I hope I get it right. My Mom was a hostess at the Ramada restaurant which is directly across the street from campus. It was Dads first night of work as a maintenance man/jack of all trades guy. They shared the same boss and she was showing Dad around when they walked through the swinging doors of the kitchen and who should be coming in while they were walking out? My Mom. He said he noticed her right away. Her big smile. He also said their boss noticed the connection immediately and made the remark that she would have to make THAT introduction! They hung out a lot after hours when all the workers sat around visiting and that was it. Now, 40 years later they have 3 children and 3 grandchildren and lots of memories in the middle.
We took my parents to Kites yesterday for lunch and waiting for them were all my mom's sisters, two of their husbands and my cousin Emily. We totally surprised them and had a great time reminiscing about their wedding.
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| Randy, Joan, Monica, Marcia, Max and my parents |
My Mom had even found the receipt for her wedding, a little over $300! Yep, that included flowers, invitations and the dress she made herself. We were laughing because the ladies that were paid to set up made $1.50 an hour! They talked about how Aunt Joan was pregnant and wasn't in the wedding (she was at the guest book) because back then you pretty much hid your big belly. Now, of course, you see pregnant women all the time standing up for brides. Times have changed in 40 years!
After lunch we went back to my sister's and had cake (cousin Emily has a birthday on the 29th) and ice cream and Mom and Dad opened anniversary cards and looked through the scrapbook my sister and I put together for them.
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| Emily, Shelley and the birthday cake! |
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| Opening anniversary cards. |
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No trip to Manhattan is complete without doing something K-Stateish. One of Wyatt's favorite things to do is go to the old stadium and play soccer or football. It is turf and open to the public and a great place to take kids to get rid of some energy. We took him there before the trip home and he and Deetda (my Dad) played some football.
After a good meltdown from Wyatt, both kids were asleep in the car before we hit Seth Childs on the way out of town. Good day if I do say so myself! I hope my parents had a great day too and enjoyed their night out on the town. They are going to take a trip to Alaska at some point and I would say that is a perfect anniversary trip. My Dad has never been and there is nothing like an adventure to renew your marriage! I love you guys and appreciate all the hard work you have put into your marriage. Happy 40th anniversary and I hope you have many more happy years together!
