I am still overwhelmed..
Steph decided to plan a 50th birthday party for me..and quickly involved our people since my friend Mike turned 50, too.
She kept it a surprise for months...and even the day of, I had no idea what we were doing.
We flew to LA, and I was still clueless..
We drove up to Santa Barbara, and stayed in Solvang, and that’s when I knew she had planned our dream trip.
Wine tasting up the California coast.

From then on, the surprises kept coming..We drove up to Paso Robles and stayed at a farmhouse in the middle of a vineyard..There were t-shirts made..We explored small boutique wineries and bigger named ones..
We watched Sideways once again..

At one of the wineries the next day, my sister was there..and ran to hug me. There were lots of tears..There still is.
We continued up the coast and explored the Santa Rita Hills, Cambria, and Monterey…We saw a natural elephant seal sanctuary..and eventually ended up in San Francisco where we ate at the number one pizzeria in the world..
Intense..

Celebrate life. Celebrate family. Celebrate friends. There are so many obstacles to overcome..Finances, health, circumstances.
Do it anyways..
It doesn’t matter where you go or what you do. I told Steph 5 days to celebrate us would be amazing in Cali or Parma.
I meant it.
A huge thanks to our friend Ashley who morphed into Steph and I for 5 days..Holding down the fort and interpreting a spreadsheet of sports and school activities. We love you.
Thanks to our moms, to Sam and Dan..the boys loved hanging out with their cousins and you both..and also to our bosses that encourage a healthy work-life balance..
And thanks to my number 1…the effort you put into us will always stay with me. I don’t deserve you, but I’ll fight everyday to be half the person you are..Thanks for inspiring and loving me ❤️



