Perfection in a most perfect form

When Mary Ann and my dad picked up Stephen and me last night, the only thing we knew was that we were going to Wilson to celebrate Mary Ann’s birthday at SOCO.

It wasn’t unusual that Mary Ann said she needed to drop something off at Frances’ home on our way out of town.

Mary Ann owns a small gift store in Tarboro so everyone in our family is used to running a present to someone’s house on any and every occasion, whether it be Christmas Eve or October 15th.

What was unusual was the amount of cars at Frances’ house when we pulled into her driveway.

Frances is a strong fixture in her church so we thought she must be having people over, and the last thing she wanted was to see us.

But then Cynthia ran out the backdoor with her cousin Shelton. And then I see my sister-in-law Elizabeth holding her son Ken. And then it hits me.

We are not going to dinner in Wilson.

Our beloved On the Square peeps have thrown a surprise 10-year celebration in our honor.

Quietly, comfortably, truly.

Tamales and hot dogs, delicious grape salad, an unbelievable cake, and our dearest friends together celebrating ten long, rewarding years.

It’s difficult to put into words just how special last night was so I won’t try too hard.

The reality of it is this: we deserve none of the glory, but the people who work with us do, and for that we are forever grateful.