Fernandez Family of Five: Mom and Dad's 50th Wedding Anniversary...

On December 30th, we celebrated my parent's 50th Wedding Anniversary. My sisters and I threw a party for them at their church. There was almost 100 of their closest friends and family present. I am so thankful to have such wonderful parents and for their example of love. They have shown me what it means to love sacrificially, unconditionally, and wholeheartedly just like God calls us to. It was such a special evening seeing people we grew up around and were close to, people who were positive influences in our lives, ones we grew up with in church, and of course our family. It was a special night sharing wonderful memories, laughing together, celebrating together, and praising God for all His many blessings. We did experience one scare during the evening. My dad was giving a speech when we noticed our Uncle Sid was starting to have breathing issues and was not doing well. My brother-in-law, Jeff, who is a cop dashed over to him and got him to the floor just in time because my uncle passed out. Fortunately, we had a guest that was an EMT and another guest that was a nurse that came to help Jeff. The three of them monitored my uncle until paramedics got there. My uncle stopped breathing and had no pulse for about 20 seconds and we were really scared we might lose him. It was very scary. Jeff was about to start CPR when my uncle came to and starting breathing on his own again. Praise the Lord!!! My dad led us in prayer as we waited for the paramedics to arrive. He was taken to the hospital and many tests were done. All his tests were normal and the doctors said he had a vagal episode that caused his blood pressure to drop and he passed out. They kept him overnight and released him the next day. Since then, we have found out my uncle had a problem with his parasympathetic system and is now on medication for it and is doing very well. My Aunt insisted we continue with the celebration after they left for the hospital. My niece, Katie, song a beautiful song, "In This Very Room," which was very appropriate. Here is just one verse that really spoke to me that night....

"In this very room there's quite enough love for all of us. And in this very room there's quite enough joy for all of us. And there's quite enough hope and quite enough power, to chase away any gloom. Lord Jesus, Lord Jesus, is in this very room."

After Katie sang this beautiful, moving song, my sisters and I gave a speech. It was very hard to follow after Katie. We gave a short speech (our parents were spared all our embarrasing comments due to time) and then we finished with a slideshow. It was a wonderful evening!

Here is the church fellowship hall all decorated.

This is the head table where my mom and dad, aunt and uncle, and my mom's bridesmaid, Evelyn, and husband, Gus, sat.

Here is the centerpieces we made for each table.

We made all the napkin holders and folded every napkin.

Close up photos of the centerpieces and once the table was fully set.

This was the hors d'oeuvre table.

Mom and Dad greeting their guests.

Mom and Katie (my niece) greeting our dear friends, the Lowman's. The Lowman's lived in our neighborhood when we were little and were like family to us. We traveled with them every year to the mountains and shared many special occasions with them.

Mom with one of her best friends, Myra Lowman.

We have so many special memories with the Lowman's!

Mom and Dad with our dear friends, the Brown's. The Brown's were another family we grew up with. They attended the same church as my parents and were youth advisors with them. We did a lot with their family and have a lot of special memories with the Brown's. It was so good to see them again!

Uncle Sid and Aunt Betty.

Talking with my Uncle Sid and Aunt Betty.

I am talking with my third grade teacher, Mrs. MacNary (to my left) and Mary Thurmond (who was the nurse that helped my uncle). Both of these ladies go to church with my parents and are dear friends to us.

I am introducing my girls to, Mr. Spencer, who was my youth advisor and also the Elder that taught me when I was going through the Communicants class to become a communing church member. The Spencer's are another dear family to us and we have many memories with them too. In this photo, Mr. Spencer is saying to my girls, "I remember when your mom was your age and this little."

Reece playing with her Uncle Jeff.

My sister, Kim, welcoming the guests and introducing our friend, Mr. Barker, who opened us in prayer.

Dad giving a speech to mom and also thanking all their dear friends and family for being a part of their lives.

Mom giving a speech to thank everyone for coming and introducing all their close friends and family that were from out of town.

Riley with Grandpa.

Riley and Reece loving on Grandpa.

A room full of special people!

Mom talking with Doug and Cook.

Cutting the cake yet again!

My sister's family with Mom and Dad. Jeff is not in this picture because he went to the hospital with Uncle Sid and Aunt Betty. Thank you Uncle Jeff for taking good care of Uncle Sid!