Surprise Weekend

Big Dad had a great weekend. It was the result of a couple of months of planning, and all turned out nicely.

Last Saturday was Mom Hughes' birthday, and Big Dad decided he would fly in to surprise her. He conspired with Dad Hughes and Colleen, and the secret was kept completely, so that she was genuinely shocked when she walked into her house and saw him sitting at her table. Of course a Larry's roast beef sandwich was sitting in front of him as well.

But the most fun part was the gift that he gave her. He was inspired by some old pictures he had of his folks, and asked them to send him more. In the end, we were able to put together a collage of pictures, based on their wedding photo. Three pictures of Dad Hughes at various ages, three pictures of Mom Hughes of various ages, all around their wedding photo, with an engraved plate stating when their home was established. We liked it so much, we had one made for us as well.

But really. How do you show appreciation to your parents. I mean the appreciation you feel from the heart? Parents do so much for us, and there's really no way to pay them back. The only thing we can really do is pay it forward. Try to give our kids as much as far as teaching and responsibility as our parents gave us. And invest in them as well. This past weekend was Big Dad's way of honoring his mom. I know she enjoyed it as much as he did!