This weekend Eric and I traveled up to Maine to celebrate my step-dad’s retirement. My step-sisters and I had been planning a surprise retirement party for him for the last few months, so I was pretty excited for the, “big day” to finally arrive.
Each of the three of us (and our families) drove to Maine on Friday and surprised him one by one. He was upstairs playing with my niece when I arrived, so I snuck into the house, sat on the couch and waited for him to come downstairs. He didn’t even notice me at first (typical, when our household gets busy) then cried when he saw me. It was really sweet.
By the time my sister Leslee arrived, he was pretty much in shock. We told him we wanted to celebrate all of his hard work by being together for the weekend (He worked in the Department of Transportation for over 21 years and officially retired on April 30th).
Under the guise of a family dinner, we lured him to a local pizza place on Saturday night. He initially said he didn’t really feel like going because he wasn’t feeling that well, eek! Thankfully we convinced him to go for a quick slice…
When he got there with my sister and her kids, he looked around the room a little confused (he knew everyone in the room and thought we all just happened to be in the same place at the same time). When we yelled, “surprise” his mouth dropped open. Two surprises in one weekend, I love it!
Price of the gas to get to and from Maine, about $120. Price of the pizza party/decorations etc. about $100 each (split 3-ways). Being together with friends, family and my step-dad to celebrate his retirement… PRICELESS!
My step-dad didn’t go to college, so he’s literally been working since he turned 17. Not only is he a hard worker and and an inspiration as an employee and supervisor, he’s also an amazing dad. He’s successfully raised three girls who made it though high school, college and graduate school a a pretty big accomplishment in my opinion).
He’s made a lot of sacrifices, so that us girls had the things we needed growing up. We didn’t have a lot sometimes, but he always believed in us and told us we could be anything we wanted to be. He taught us to work hard, try your best and have a heart for serving others (values that have made us the women that we are today).
So kudos and congrats to my step-dad. I’m so proud of you and so thankful to have you in my life! You’re an inspiration to all of us and real life, “proof” that hard work, dedication and generosity do pay off!
When do you plan to retire? What will you do during your retirement years? Who are your, “retirement inspirations?”
image: www.Gotcredit.com