The Big 4-0

I think it's important to note that she asked for it.



One of our best friends, Betsy Brown, had told her husband Jim that he "needed" to throw her a 40th birthday party. Jim, who is a smart man and a good husband was only doing as he was told.

So this past weekend a group of us celebrated Betsy's 40th birthday by officially saying goodbye to her 30's. What do I mean? Let's start from the beginning.

The event was a simple get-together until after the Customer Appreciation event, several folks were sitting around discussing the event. Our friend, Matt Miller (who is also the local funeral director), got involved and the idea got a bit more elaborate.

Jim had nearly let the surprise party slip the morning of the party by telling her that "today was the big day." She asked what that meant...so Jim told her (after some quick thinking) that he was taking her to dinner and they were going to be picked up in a Limo. Cool huh?

Only the "limo" was a hearse! Betsy was picked up in the hearse and driven to the local country club where her friends were (unbeknownst to her) waiting. When Betsy walked into the club (after circling the parking lot with the hearse lights flashing) she came in to find her friends seated in a memorial service.



The viewing included a real coffin with detailed cut-out numbers of her 30's. It was beautiful!



And as she came in the door, the Reverend Kirby gave the Eulogy with some help from the crowd. Really at that point it went downhill in behavior...but it was fun!



The ceremony included even printed memorial programs, a sign in book, (and of course the hearse and coffin) and the obligatory cake.



The question following this fascinating evening was simply...how do we top it next time?