Full Time Captain... Since 2013

Everyone deserves to be celebrated.  And my sweet daddy was LONG overdue!!  After 31 years in the "make people happy when bad things happen to them" business, he finally retired on January 31st!   

 No one likes insurance.  No one wants to buy and pay for insurance.  No one wants to think about having a wreck, or your home burning to the ground.  So there lies the rub.  You need it.  And are SO thankful you had it, but it's not normally a joyous occasion in the aftermath.  Imagine working in that day in and day out for 31 years.  But, (and I think his policy holders would all agree) the silver lining was getting my dad on the other end of the phone.  Knowing he truly cared and would bend over backwards to make your "tragedy" a little easier to swallow.

He was amazing, as evidenced by all the cards, emails, and phone calls he's now receiving thanking him for his service and claiming they don't know what they'll do without him.

As a small token, we wanted to honor him with a retirement party.  Andy, Kadi, mom and I had been planning it for weeks (maybe months) as a surprise. Until I get the call one day saying, "I CAN'T DO THIS!!!  In 42 years I've never lied to your father and I can't start now!"  Wow, what do you say to that?  So... we told him.  And he protested.  Until we explained we weren't asking permission, we were merely letting him in on our plans.  So, he shut up (which isn't his strong suit ;) and went with it. I think he's glad he did.

I think it turned out to be a really great night.  Andy and I figured, after educating us both (and not forever indebting us with student loans, God bless him) and giving us both the weddings of our dreams, this was the least we could do for him.
(Actually, I'm a little ahead of Andy in that race, I did birth him his first 2 grandchildren!   Just kidding brother! ) 
 (No, I'm really not.  It hurt.)

A few boxes of wine, some kegs, a little Rib and Loin bar-b-que and we got ourselves a PAR-TAY!
Kadi and her amazing mom were the ultimate party planners and served all night as the refillers and kitchen helpers that kept the party in full swing while we mixed and mingled.  This party wouldn't have happened without those two!

And not only did my amazing in-laws get us the Racquet Club for the venue, but they kept my kiddos all day and night while we set up and cleaned up.  On their way to the party with the kids, Trace started running a fever, so Jimmy went home and swapped with them so they could bring Keatyn and come for a little bit.  They were (as always) a life saver!

  It was full of friends and family, some of which we hardly ever get to see.  Dads boating, golfing and high school buddies were all there.  Hopefully with all of his new free time, he'll be seeing them a lot more! (And not at 5438 Hixson Pike, coming in to pay their car insurance. :)

 His first commission check for .25 cents.  You've come a long way baby!!  Mom laughed and said there is an accountant somewhere in Columbus, Ohio that's lost sleep over that check never being cashed. :)

Andy was going to say something at the party and I'm sure I would have squalled like a baby (I always do when it comes to my dad) because I honestly feel like the luckiest daughter in the world.  And I know Andy feels the same way.  With all the in and out of party goers, there was never a really good time to "toast" him.  He never told me what he planned on saying but I would imagine it was something like this...

Dad, thank you for teaching us the value of hard work.  Thank you for getting up everyday of our childhood and building something from nothing.  Thank you for loving our mom with your whole, unselfish heart. You all were like a force.  I've always admired how you always made a point of crediting her for your success.  It was always "our" business, not just yours because your name happened to be on the door.  You guys have been a team since you were teenagers and it's been evident our entire life.  You recognized the hard work and hours she put into building your agency, whether it was her in the office trying to calm screaming policy holders, or shuttling us back and forth from ball practice and dance so you could stay and work late.  Thank you for working all day and then coming to coach our ball games and watch countless hours of Karen Horton's "Another Wonderful Year" 4 hour dance recitals and actually act like there was no where else you'd rather be.

This is a celebration of you both.  You made our childhood magical.  You taught us what a loving, Christian home should look like.  You taught us how to pick ourselves up and keep walking when you get knocked down.  And you taught us the value of making your kids feel like the most special and adored people in the world.

Now it's your time.  My prayer is that you and mom have DECADES full of health and fun ahead of you.  That you get to see the world in a new way... from your boat, from the golf course, from your recliner in your bathrobe, from the sandy beaches of wherever you chose.  No one deserves it more.  Job well done dad!

We love you so, so much!!