A Surprise Celebration | Watermarks on my Soul

Personal, Watermarks on My Soul

Jun 15, 2015

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For the past month and a half all my closest friends have heard me talk about the surprise party that I was planning for my dad’s 70th birthday.  Gosh 70!  I had to calculate his years multiple times because he doesn’t seem 70 and most of the guests that we invited didn’t realize he was 70.

I’m learning in life that our days are number and to not take anything or anyone for granted.  So, the idea hit me one Sunday to try and throw a celebration worthy of someone that unselfishly does so much for others.  I called my mom and while it was originally planning to be a cook-out, we realized that my dad is the grill master, so we couldn’t have him stuck on the grill at his own party. I think this is where outsourcing is a good idea!  I don’t consider myself a planner by any stretch of the imagination, but I was able to find a venue within a few days and I designed and order the invitations a few days after that!  My mom and other relatives were in charge of gathering addresses and once those started pouring in things started to feel real!  I was so excited and nervous because my mom, brother and I didn’t want anyone to ruin the surprise.  My mom didn’t even want my nieces and nephew to know because they love their “pop pop” and may have dropped the ball out of sheer excitement.  We secured a ballroom at the Grandover Hotel, my friend Ebony of Rae Images handled photography since I was determined to not be behind the camera that night, and DJ Precise Freddie Fontaine got the party started!

Guests enjoyed a southern buffet of baked catfish, bbq, fried chicken, salad, corn pudding, southern green beans, strawberry shortcake, deep dish peach pie, and other sides. It was an amazing feeling to see him walk into the room and be confused when we yelled surprise.  He looked around and because the room was dim he didn’t recognize any faces he thought he was in the wrong room.  See he thought he was going to an anniversary dinner for my aunt and uncle and since he’s also a photographer, he had his camera bag in hand prepare to take photos.  He looked at my mom who then said “Happy Birthday Bobby” and he heard Stevie Wonder’s version of the Happy Birthday song playing and realized this celebration was for him! He laughed, he cried and he was speechless. Priceless!

While this isn’t a typical post about my latest wedding, engagement or anniversary session, it’s a post that’s near and dear to my heart and one that I wanted to share with anyone who decides to read as a part of my “Watermarks on my Soul” because that series has been so meaningful to me and worthy of being brought back to life!

Here are a few of the photos from the party:

My dad’s childhood photo:

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Remaining photos by Rae Images:

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  1. Cried. Like. a. Baby and I wasn’t even there!!!!! Happy 70th Mr. Baskin!

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