Nick and Andy arrive at Terry's house for a small dinner to celebrate their 20th anniversary. Terry had original asked Nick and Andy to come on Saturday, but Andy couldn’t – he was going to be on Catalina Island for the weekend – or so he thought.
We started planning the celebration for Nick and Andy in January. It really all started with a little email on January 14.
Hi Don and Tim,
I know we haven't met in person, but we feel like we know you from the stories that Andy and Nick tell about the group in South Carolina. Andy has mentioned that some of ya'll from South Carolina have been talking about coming to California for a visit. That's great.
We have started talking about some plans for Andy and Nick's 20th Anniversary. Andy and Nick don't know that we are contacting you or that we are making plans for their 20th.
Andy and Nick are celebrating their anniversary by going on a cruise in July. Their actual anniversary is in June. We would love to throw some sort of party for them and have the South Carolina group and the Los Angeles group both there. We don't have anything definitely planned yet, but you know how happy it would make them to have everyone there.
Is this something that you all would be interested in? Can you find out who else in South Carolina would be interested?
We know that cost would be an issue for ya'll. We would be happy to have you stay at our houses to help with expenses.
Please let us know what you think. We are trying to keep this a secret from Andy and Nick.
I knew Andy wanted to go to Catalina Island and we needed to make sure Nick was going to be in town and that they didn’t have any plans. So, naturally, I made an offer they couldn’t refuse:
Okay, we have more info on Catalina! June 20 - 22.
Sean's friend owns three bungalows that a perched on the side of the hill overlooking Avalon. He will be doing a renovation on the kitchens so he can't rent them out that weekend. The bungalows usually rent by the week only - or something like that. So he offered to Sean to use them. Right now, only two are scheduled to be ready -- he doesn't know about the third one yet.
So, you and Nick would have one. Sean and I in the other. If the third one is ready, we can see if someone else wants to join us. They are, as I understand, 2 1/2 stories: bedroom (with outdoor jacuzzi) on the bottom and living and kitchen on top. I am not sure what is on the other 1/2 story. They overlook the city of Avalon and out over the water.
We were thinking - leaving on early Friday afternoon (to avoid traffic), take the ferry across to Avalon. We would have to get a taxi at the harbor to get to the bungalows (he says we could walk... 15 minutes - uphill). I vote for the taxi! When we are there -- each bungalow has a golf cart to get around. Then coming back on Sunday.
There are easy things to do on Avalon. I like the "submarine" ride - great for seeing all of the fish! The beach is really small. The bus ride to see the buffalo is good. The boat ride to the tip of the island to see the seals is fun. There is a casino. I have never done the night boat ride to see the flying fish - so I would really like to do that this time (I have not spent the night at Catalina - only day trips).
That's what I know now... we have plenty of time to talk and make plans. I just want to get it on your calendar (especially since Nick won't let you go on the cruise!). ;-)
Okay, now fast forward 6 months and many emails later... Andy and Nick arrive at Terry's for dinner. Andy is smirking as he comes up the steps to let me know that he knows something is going on. See, I know that he has no idea to what extent we have gone to surprise them and show them how much they mean to soo many people.
Yes, all of the LA boys were at Terry’s for dinner – surprise!
The real surprise was the boys flew in from South and North Carolina earlier that day! SURPRISE!
I love the look on Nick’s face. He can hear their voices in the kitchen… but what are those Carolina accents doing in Pasadena?
The boys from Carolina had flown in on Thursday and would be leaving on Monday. The surprise dinner at Terry’s was wonderful!
Friday afternoon was a quick visit to the Huntington Gardens. It was a little hot - okay, so we had record high temperatures the entire time the Carolina boys were in town.
As the sun set on Friday, we were off to the Hollywood Bowl for the Opening Night.
The 87th season at the legendary Hollywood Bowl featuring spectacular performances by 2008 Hall of Fame inductees Liza Minnelli, Sir James Galway and B.B. King. This year’s opening night concert also included a special fireworks finale commemorating 50 years of Rock 'n' Roll at the Hollywood Bowl with special guest Duane Eddy.
We had a little picnic at the top of the Bowl and then to our seats for the concert.
On Saturday night, we had a large dinner party at Le Grand Orange with many friends.
Through out the entire weekend, we tried to think of what Nick and Andy’s favorite things were and incorporate them into our plans. Their favorite food and drinks at Terry’s and the Bowl. Their favorite appetizers at Le Grand Orange. Favorite cake – we contacted one of the parents at Andy’s school to make his favorite cake. Absolutely delicious.
As a follow up to the weekend, Nick and Andy set out a very touching email to most of us.
Subject: Our trip to Catalina
Dear Friends,
With much sadness, I just said goodbye and tucked the South Carolina boys into the airport shuttle van. And as quickly as it all began ... this incredible weekend has ended.
It's impossible to find the words to thank each of you for your role in the festivities of the past few days. But let me try to convey our most genuine gratitude for all that you did.
It's overwhelming to think of the planning and coordination that took place. And so to the "Secret Planning Committee", Kevin, Terry, Albert, David, Rodney, Daniel, Nelson, Juan, Sean, and other secret members we say Thank You and Bravo! You've no idea how awestruck we were by the magnitude of your efforts and how touched we are.
To our friends from South Carolina, thank you for making the trip you'll never know how much it meant for y'all to be here. You are our family and we love you.
To our friends here in California we thank you for coming out. You were great ambassadors to our out of town visitors and you are great friends to us.
While I don't want to prattle on too much, we do really want each one of you to know the extent of our humble and sincere gratitude. We felt like rock stars this weekend and y'all have given us a priceless memory that we will NEVER forget.
And so as a new week begins and life returns to normal please know that your participation in the celebration of our anniversary has left us changed. You have altered our understanding of what friendship and love are capable of.
We thank you all.
Andy & Nick
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