Congratulations and well done, my love, on a very successful career!
We've had several conversations that going to David's retirement celebration, it felt more like going to someone else's party. How can my husband be retiring?! When you're young, I always thought of retirement when you're old and can no longer work. My husband bounds in energy, yet he has retired with 31 years, 8 months, and 28 days of service to the Sheriff's Office.
His celebration was the "Thin Blue Line" theme, with two joined, magnificent charcuterie tables, and an exceptional dinner everyone was WOW'd over and spoke about all night. I did a plated double entree dinner, Asiago Chicken, Braised Beef with light Gravy, Cavatappi Carbonara, and Roasted Vegetable Medley. Our salad incorporated watermelon (David's favorite) and fresh blueberries to complement the TBL theme, topped with our new Champagne dressing. Guests expressions when the food was brought to the table brought me the exact satisfaction I was going for, and everyone raved all night how fabulous dinner was.
The charcuterie tables were done by Taylour. She loves doing this and asked if she could help, so I tasked her with the table listing what I wanted to see on it and rose-shaped appetizers. She practiced and nailed it!!
I began the program with a video custom made for him talking about being in law enforcement, the Training Center, and Michelle answering the phone telling the caller David is reading to blind children. That was what he always told her to tell his callers. Taylour & Brooke began by sharing David's many roles and professional achievements, then Captain (Rich) was the main guest speaker. Working with David throughout their career together and dear friends, there is nobody better than him. In closing, I had my sister-in-law, the Sheriff, came up to share final words. Their tribute to David was beautiful, honoring, and well-deserved. I could feel David squeeze my hand; I knew he was fighting tears.
But wait... there's more! I had a special surprise for him before we closed this portion of the evening. Being shipped from the Eastcoast of the United States, is the Best Seller with White Glove Delivery... his massage chair. [It arrived and it is amazing!]
The DJ playing 80's rock and a variety of music, family and friends mingled, ate, drank, and celebrated.
The room looked fabulous, every detail coming together beautifully.
What a blessing it is to have a successful career. Every speech shared a common theme, he has touched thousands of lives throughout his career and made a difference. He is a legend at Training, he is admired, valued, and respected. Colleagues coming out of the woodwork, phone calls, wishing him well.
To retire with such a legacy, to retire with good health, and to retire with the ability to do whatever he wants, he is a blessed man.
Happy Retirement, husband.
June 2, 2023
