Confession:
I love seeing elderly couples walk together, hold hands, and eat out at restaurants.
Because I secretly hope and wish that I'll be so lucky in love 50+ years from now.
So when I got the call from my Dad that my Uncle and Auntie were celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary, I was giddy that I'd be able to be there too.
My Uncle and Auntie are really life partners - in food, travel, and family. They've enjoyed traveling the world, trying new cuisines, and sharing their adventures with loved ones. I fondly remember reading a lovely written note from Auntie. It was sent to me in Michigan during the holidays, and was on some beautiful Vietnamese hand-crafted paper that they bought on one of their recent trips to Southeast Asia.
Somehow, through all the miles and distance that separated me from family, this note was a nice reminder of home. (It also made me a little envious that I was knee-deep in snow when really - I could be traveling the globe to warmer climates.)
So in celebration of their milestone together, my cousin held an intimate and casual get-together at her home. MS accompanied me, and we were welcomed with much aloha and a fully stocked cooler of beverages. He took a beer; I grabbed a bottle of water.
The food was from a small local kine place in Gardena called Cherrystone's Grotto & Grill - and included large platters of Hawaiian Chicken Salad, Potato Macaroni & Krab Salad, Chop Chae Noodles, Broccoli Medley, Teriyaki Chicken, Steamed Fish w/Black Bean Sauce, Steamed Rice, and Kim Chee. All of which had a home-cooked and comforting feel.
The birthday cake pictured above was of my Uncle and Auntie 50 years ago. She was 19. He was a little older. And 50 years later, they sat and laughed as each held a granddaughter in their arms to help blow out the candles.That night, I met PS - one of the younger additions to my dad's side of the family and baby sister to DS. When she's not blowing out candles or watching Nemo on the plasma, I found her smiling with a pretzel in her mouth.
After all, this celebration was about spending time with family, talking story, and wishing the happy couple many more years of love, health, happiness, and good eats.
Cherrystones Grotto & Grill
street: 15501 S Vermont Ave | Gardena, CA
tel: 1.310.329.8200
h: Tu-F 11a-2.30p, 5-9p / Sa-Su 5-9p / closed M
web: www.cherrystones.org
7 comments:
Thank you for sharing your Auntie and Uncle's beautiful story! I know that in 50 years, you and your gentleman (MS) are going to be celebrating your golden anniversary (and you'll have plenty of vacation pictures together in "warmer climates")!
Me too. When I proposed to Cat by a lake near our house, I promised that we'd totter around that lake together again when we were old and gray. I love seeing proof of that sort of long-lasting love. It warms the soul.
From festival experience, Cherrystone's makes a pretty darn good chili rice too. Word is they use prime rib in it, top it with a bit of onion and cheese and there you go. I'm not sure if it's available at the restaurant, but it's worth trying if you ever see them.
Hey PE! I'll keep you posted on MS and me! :) Warmer climates do await! Spain - here we come!!!
Hey Chubbypanda! I want to hear more about your proposal! I'm a sucker for romantic stories!!! :D Definitely warms the heart and soul!
Hey Androo! Thanks for the tip! I love chili rice too! YUM!!! Makes me want to go to Hawaii!
Hi BoLA - This was so very nice and heartwarming! I truly wish the same for you......
BTW, Cherrystone's does make some good grindz, I remember eating there when we still lived in LA.
Thanks for sharing such an uplifting post.
Hey cuz
It was nice to have you and MS over for the party. We hardly get to see you guys anymore, which we hope to change. C'mon over anytime and if you ever feel the need to see what its like to have two active little kids in your life, JA and I would be happy to loan you our girls for a few hours....!!!! RS
Hey Cuz! :D Will you be staying in So Cal??? We'll have to catch up once I get back. Yes... it's so true... I don't get to see you guys that much. We should change that! Give hugs to the girls for me!
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