New Leaf
Over the years we’ve thrown some big milestone parties – for my husband Danny’s 30th birthday, our 25th anniversary, Danny’s 60th at Yankee Stadium, two big housewarmings, my retirement, my 70th, and of course our son Noah’s bar mitzvah. (See Ghostwriting in the Family)
Then a few years ago on a glorious June day we were lunching by ourselves to celebrate our anniversary at a favorite restaurant, New Leaf in Fort Tryon Park overlooking the Hudson in upper Manhattan. As we ate on the restaurant’s sunny patio we reminded each other that the following year would be our 50th, and we realized New Leaf would be the perfect place for a party. We asked our waiter to call over the banquet manager, and we booked a date for an anniversary luncheon the following June. We’d take over the patio and they would tent it in case of rain.
In due time we chose the menu – some tasty hors d’oeuvres, gazpacho, choice of poached or smoked salmon, a few veggie options, fruit and cheese, wine and champagne, and New Leaf’s luscious desserts. We made a guest list of friends and family, and called the florist to request the same beautiful centerpieces he’d made for our son’s bar mitzvah luncheon – red roses, yellow tulips, and purple irises. And rather than making a seating chart, we decided to let our guests find seat-mates and form their own tables while Danny and I would sit at a little “sweetheart table”.
As the date approached we asked our friend Gary, who moonlights as a horn player, to put together a small jazz band with Noah sitting in on drums. We made up a set list, Paperless Posted our invites, and hoped for sunny weather as we awaited the appointed day.
It did rain that morning, but miraculously by 1:00 out came the sun, our guests arrived, and the celebration began!
Although we knew couples who’d renewed their vows at anniversary celebrations, that wasn’t our style, we had billed the party simply as a lunch to celebrate our 50th.
Then at some point my son, and then my husband took the mic. Noah raised his glass to toast us, and Danny thanked everyone for coming and helping us celebrate.
Then I rose to speak. I had no prepared script, but looking around at the faces of our family and friends, I knew on the spot what I’d say.
”Danny and I eloped 50 years ago and we never had a wedding”, I said, “so enjoy yourselves folks, this is it!”
– Dana Susan Lehrman
Dana Susan LehrmanThis retired librarian loves big city bustle and cozy country weekends, friends and family, good books and theatre, movies and jazz, travel, tennis, Yankee baseball, and writing about life as she sees it on her blog World Thru Brown Eyes!
www.WorldThruBrownEyes.com
This sounds like a wonderful anniversary celebration, Dana; good food, good friends, good music and lots of love. Who could ask for anything more?
Thanx Betsy, it was a lovely day!
What a beautiful 50th anniversary party! What year did you get married? We celebrated ours in 2018. Luckily, it was pre-pandemic so all of our kids and grandkids could be there.
Thanx Laurie, we also married in 1968 and thus the party was also in 2018!
What a great party, Dana, and I bet you and Danny enjoyed it more than you would have a fussy wedding, with all that entails. I’m so glad you had a great 50th.
Thanx Marian, I think we surely did!
Congratulations and the party sounds perfect! It made me smile. Here’s to celebrations, friends, and family 🙂
Thanx Khati, the party was perfect indeed!
What a wonderful way to celebrate your 50th, Dee…sounds absolutely perfect in every way!
It was Bebe, thanx!
Mazel tov, Dana! Indeed, I think everyone should probably wait until an important anniversary to celebrate their great marriage. How very efficient. (Though the wedding planners and caterers might complain a bit.)
And thank you for sharing your joyous pictures with us, too!
Thanx John!
And in the roller-coaster called marriage why not celebrate as often as you can!
I love this story, Dana! What a great celebration! So glad you included all the pictures, especially the picture of the invitation.
Thanx Suzy, it was great fun!