Michelle and Tom: 20 years

On the weekend, Jeff and I attended the celebration of the 20th wedding anniversary of our friends Michelle and Tom. It's hard to believe that it's been that long though I suppose I shouldn't be surprised; Jeff and I will have been married 18 years this year.

In honor of the event, I wrote a song called, "Pennies For Your Thoughts," a silly but heartfelt tribute to my friends. When I performed it for Michelle and Tom, Jeff and Kaarel stood on either side of me. With their arms crossed, they wore sunglasses and baseball caps turned backward, and punctuated my song with the occasional chanted "PENNIES." Others sang along on the chorus as well as shaking improvised percussion instruments with pennies inside.

The expression on Michelle's and Tom's faces during the performance was immensely satisfying. :-)

At the end of the song, one of our nieces collected all the pennies from everyone and presented them to Michelle and Tom in a mug made by Luisa and me. {Brief background info: we used to fill Michelle's shoes with pennies back in university. Don't ask.)



The anniversary cake (a really scrumptious lemon cake with buttercream icing from Dufflet's) was imprinted with an edible replica of a group photo that my father took after the wedding ceremony 20 years ago. Looking over the faces in the photograph, I can't help but notice that most of us are still in touch so many years later.



I've changed a lot since those days, but I still have such clear memories of how we all bonded while attending the University of Toronto. It was the first time in my life I was part of such a close-knit group. We hung out together, played and fought with each other, dated and broke up within the group.

Every guy I have ever dated in the past (all three of them, not including Jeff) was at the anniversary party, each of them married to a friend of mine and each with children. :-)



After graduating, we scattered across the continent, with some going overseas. The group itself evolved (as big groups of friends often do and for good reasons) into some longterm close friendships, but mostly with people moving on with their lives. I feel lucky that Jeff and I share so much history and old friendships; getting together for a mini-reunion like the one on the weekend was equally fun for both of us.



It was especially great to see Michelle's parents again. I pigged out on a yummy Japanese rice dish that Michelle's mom makes (I forget what it's called but it has shiitake mushroom, among other ingredients); my mom used to make it but after she died, the only times I ever get to have some are when Mrs. Sagara makes it.

And I didn't even recognize Tom's younger brother (shown below with his girlfriend) until Tom's sister pointed him out:



I used to teach flute lessons to this fellow years ago, but he was way shorter (!).

And (yaaaay), I finally got to meet Tanya Huff's partner. I guess I can't keep hassling Tanya about imaginary partners anymore.

Many thanks to Michelle and Tom for hosting a wonderful party.

And Happy Anniversary!

Comments

[Leslie]

And now I'm just trying to figure out whom you dated -- I can only think of one. Hmmm.

[Reid]

I can only think of two, not including Jeff.

[Reid]

Oh wait, I think I remember #3..

[Leslie]

Reid, you totally have to dish. Meet me on Facebook :P

[Bruce]

Very sorry to have missed it, but very nice to read it described - nice reminder of far-off friends, and my best wishes to all of you.