Buonasera, Signori Marquette-e. Benvenuti in cucina de Giovani per il tuo anniversario d'oro. Ho preparato per te, una cena speciale. Divertitevi.

(Good evening Mr. & Mrs. Marquette. Welcome to John’s kitchen for your golden anniversary. I prepared for you a special dinner. Enjoy.)

“Aries, scortare questa giovane coppia all'esterno, piacere. Grazie.”

(Aries, escort this young couple outside, please. Thank you.)

Aries, our eleven year-old Dapple Dachshund wearing a tiny black top hat and monocle escorted Debi and Glen to our outside deck where there was waiting for them, a small tray with two glasses, inscribed with their name and the year and a chilled bottle. 

I let them take in the romantic ambiance of 50 “golden” candles luminating the deck and 50 tea light candles floating, flickering and reflecting light on top of the pool. 

Multi-colored hibiscus of varying heights circled them as they stood quietly on the deck.

“Debi, Glen,” I said softly, “let me pour you a Fernet Branca, an Italian aperitif. This aperitif will invigorate your palate and allow you to relax before dinner. Enjoy. I’ll be back.” 

A short while later I returned to find them sitting on the deck steps, holding hands in the glow of the floating tea lights. “Dinner's ready my friends. Darcy, show our guests to the dinner table, please.”

Darcy, our nine year-old Border collie is wearing a peach colored tuxedo jacket and black bow-tie leading them to the dining room.

 Darcy could not pull the chair out for Debi, (remember, she’s only a dog) so being the gentlemen he is, Glen assists and pulls out the chair for his wife and gave Darcy a gentle pat on the head.

“Can I have this dance, for the rest of my life,” by Anne Murray is softly playing in the background. 

“Mi Amici,” (Italian for, my friends), “your appetizer tonight is a roasted tomato flatbread. The flatbread has been brushed with olive oil, lightly salted and baked with mozzarella, diced Cipollini onion and arugula.”

“Glen, we don’t have flatbreads in Minnesota, do we?” Debi asked.

“Mmmm, I don’t know, babe,” Glen replied with a mouthful of flatbread. “We should though!"

“Ready for your entree?” I asked.

Debi smiled and raised her glass of wine.

I continue. “We have for your pleasure a bacon wrapped filet mignon, cooked in a cast iron skillet with fresh rosemary and topped with a garlic-herb butter. This is accompanied with sautéed sea scallops, cooked with chopped shallots, garlic, parsley, butter and white wine followed  by a simple side dish of steamed broccoli topped with freshly squeezed lemon, salt and pepper. And of course my own, homemade ciabatta bread."

Debi and Glen looked at each other in amazement, then immediately picked up their individual knife and fork and dug in.

Twenty minutes later the table was cleared and Debi and Glen were happily satiated besides happily married. 

My wife Debbie joins me. "A toast. Fifty years is quite the accomplishment. This has provided lasting memories in the camera of your mind which you continue to make and share. I’m happy to have been a minuscule part of it by sharing this with you in my own way. Cin cin."

We all raised our glasses in a toast.

"Whoops, hang on," I said. Someone’s at the door…"

Moments later;

“Wow, what perfect timing. Debi, Glen I think you know this impeccably good looking group of youngsters. They introduced themselves to me as your kids and grandkids …”

After all the hugs and kisses and the “oh my Gods what are you doing here” was said, everyone settled onto our back deck. Waiting for this crew was Snow, our ten year old golden retriever guarding the dessert table comprised of a variety of ice cream and all the fixings for an ice cream Sunday extravaganza … wet walnuts, jimmies (and if you say they’re sprinkles we’ll have issues, haha), gummy worms, Oreo crunchies, crushed butterfinger bars, hot fudge and shaved coconut.

“All you adults better get in there before the grandkids leave you with a bunch of melting ice cream and no toppings,” I said.

In closing ...

Debi and Glen. On May 18th, 1974, 

You said your first “I do”,

From then on history was made

50 Golden Years saw you through.

Now it’s time to party and 

Simply rock the song,

Crank up the volume 

We’re dancin’ all night long.

Let’s party and work up a sweat

Let the neighbors drool,

Everybody get your suits on

It’s time for a bunch of fun in the pool…

HAPPY 50th ANNIVERSARY