Mom’s 50th birthday was February 9, 2000 and Bob, Denise, and I decided that we would throw her a suprise party for the special occasion. We rented out the Knights of Pythias Hall on Factory Road, where I had so often attended Kroger Beavercreek Christmas parties, and prepared it for demolition. Denise and Bob took care of the party trays (with the help of Bob’s ex-wife Pat) and invitations while I was in charge of renting the hall and providing the music.
Denise and Chris and Lisa and I - along with some of our aunts, uncles, and cousins - got there early to decorate. This was a great time as we (mostly Denise and I) creatively decorated the hall with signs, balloons, and streamers, using some of the pictures of K.O.P. dignitaries to unleash our creative skills. One got “X’d” out by the streamers; one obtained a purple moustache.
The party was held on Saturday, February 5. 
Bob brought Mom to the party under the guise of it being an early surprise birthday party for Charles, whose birthday is on February 13, with the explanation that my cousin Susan was surprising him by having it more than a week early. Mom later admitted that she had her suspicions, but went ahead and brought a box of candy as a gift for Charles anyway. Of course, being Mom, the tears welled up as soon as she walked in the door and received her “SURPRISE!” Of course, this always brings a lump to our throats as well as we greeted her in her emotional state.
With me at the helm of the sound system and plenty of beer flowing, the night turned into a typical family party with dancing and thunderous celebration. I snapped a picture of Lisa with a cigarette to prove that although she berated me for smoking during this time period, she would occasionally light up, too.
Bob, Mom, Ashleigh, Denise, Chris, Me, Bryan, Lisa
For more photos from Mom’s birthday party, click here.
Continue on into 2000 here…
This was a wonderful birthday party. I was really touched that my children and Bob had put together such a special time for me. The only bad part about it was actually turning 50. However, as I think about it today, I wouldn’t mind still being 50. How the years fly!
Mom/Barb
January 30th, 2007