Chasing Adventure

My parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this past May. While I know it hasn’t been a perfect marriage, I am proud they stuck through the hard times, learned to (and are still learning) to compromise, learned to (and are still learning) to communicate, and most of all they kept close to Jesus. A three-cord strand is not easily broken.

It was fun helping Mom plan for this event and she was SO excited for it. She sent me loads of old photos and I put together a slideshow of memories for them. We talked through food, decorations, and games. In the end, it was just family, simple decor, great food, and an incredible time. Dad and Mom said it was perfect and that’s all we could ask for!

We made it a whole weekend affair. Jason and Sarah flew in with Sarah’s husband, Johnathon, and baby Riley, and arrived on Thursday. Uncle Chris and Aunt CJ drove down as well. My older brother, Ryan, and his family drove over for the party Saturday night. My baby brother, Andrew, took the red-eye from Vegas and arrived Saturday morning. My middle brother, Mike, arrived with his family Thursday. It was so good to have everyone there celebrating the Parentals together! Uncle Gray and Aunt Mary hosted a pizza party on the beach on Friday night. It was Riley’s first experience with the beach – adorable!

Saturday afternoon was another beach day for some of us. Johnathon and Jason decided to/forgot about sunblock. To say they were burned was an understatement. 2nd degree burn blisters are not fun! Sweet Riley had sunblock on and reapplied twice, but still got a little red. That tender Iowa skin burns easily I guess! Sarah, 6 months pregnant, stayed well covered by sunblock and shade. I had so much fun hanging out with everyone, I forgot to take pictures! Except of Riley, of course.

Mmmmmm…. sand covered nuggets and goldfish…..

Saturday evening was the anniversary party. Mom chose to have it at the Eau Gallie Yacht Club so the venue and food were amazing. We played a couple games, enjoyed great food, watched Dad and Mom cut the cake like a newly married couple, and danced the night away. Well, until about 9:30p when the baby and older folks said it was bedtime. LOL

Family Photo (left to right): {Sarah, Johnathon, and Riley Remster}, Jason Johnston, Jr., Ryan Leach, Katy and Mike Leach, Chris and CJ Leach, Andrew Leach, Rob and Marcia Leach, Ryan’s family {Gavin, Caden, Elizabeth, and Katy Leach}, Mike and Katy’s girls {Ella and Claire Leach}, Gray and Mary Heppner, Katie and Greg Lentz

Sunday, us kids (minus Ryan’s crew) gathered at Mom’s for brunch to celebrate a simple Mother’s Day together. It was so great to see how happy it made them to have everyone there. We definitely need to do that again soon!

SO grateful for my sister-in-love, Katy, who took all the incredible photos!

Happy Anniversary Dad & Mom!!!

~Katie