Guest Post

I asked Jeannine to put down a few thoughts for us, as we carried on a tradition that goes back at least twelve years. Here is her perspective. (A very accurate one, I might add)

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If the calendar says mid-February, than it must be time for the annual Smith/Seery Valentine’s Day Dinner in NYC.   Much time has passed since we began this tradition, and to say that our lives have changed a bit in the years we’ve been celebrating is an understatement.  Nevertheless, we’ve managed to maintain our friendship through relocation, procreation and even a cardiac catheterization.  Life certainly hasn’t been dull and having good friends to help you navigate these roads is essential.

Yet, amidst these changes, there are a few things you can count on seeing or hearing at our yearly celebration.  In keeping with the theme of this blog (It is called, Top Ten, isn’t it?), I present to you the Top Ten Events Guaranteed to Occur at Our Annual Dinner

1. An obscene amount of amazing food will be consumed.  I don’t know how we do it, but each year’s meal seems to surpass the last.   

2. Within moments of sitting down, Shamus will develop a ‘special’ relationship with the waitstaff.   This will result in his being served a dish or drink that is not listed on the menu, or has never been served to a patron before.

3. A Star Wars or Marx Brothers movie line will be quoted, followed by an eye roll by either Jeannine or Kris. 

4. Shamus will eat part of his wife’s dinner or dessert.  Tom will try to eat part of his wife’s dinner or dessert, only to be met with an icy stare down. 

5. Tom will talk at length about the old Gateway Youth Group.  We will all have heard these stories many, many times before and at least one will contain a reference to ‘High Tops’. 

6. Kris will attempt to tell a story, only to be interrupted by Shamus who will insist that she is telling it wrong. 

7. Tom will attempt to talk about animation, only to be interrupted by Jeannine who will tell him to stop talking about his animated balls. 

8. The following topics will be discussed:  Facebook, Christianity/Church, Homeschooling, Ron Paul, Firearms, New Jersey, the Amish, The NYC Board of Education, Computers/Technology, People Held Captive in Boxes. 

9. Shamus will mention at least three good movies he’s seen to Tom.  Tom will not have seen any of these movies, because his wife will not let him. 

10. We will begin looking forward to next year’s dinner before the night is over. 

          Dinner Took Place at: Agave

                      Dessert was at: Milk And Cookies Bakery

WOW

Today Kris earned the rank of Red/Black belt. She began this journey in March of 2009. Now almost three years later, her goal of black belt is in sight. The testing ceremony today was merely a display of all the hard work, through all the weeknight classes, over the past several months. Somewhere in the midst of being a full time Mom, making her own laundry soap, baking her own bread, caring for our two boys, being a wife and friend to me, running half marathons, and so many other things I can't even remember to describe, she managed to commit to memory a full three years worth of form and curriculum. She put it all together today, perfectly.
If you need inspiration, if you want strength in your life, get closer to Kris. You will not be disappointed.

As Kris studies up before hand.....

                                                

............her final opponent today waits across the room

Reflection

Accomplishment

Reward

De Ja Vu

Yes, the Giants won the Super Bowl again tonight.

Yes, they beat the same team they did in 2008, to do so.
Yes, this also takes place in the same year we added an addition to our family, as was the case the last time around for the Giants.
I was privileged to witness all this in the company of good people. Truth be told, without them to share it with, it's just a football game.
If you were here with me tonight in person or in spirit,  please leave a comment and mention something of your experience.
Thanks.

1/27/2012