Another Supper...Another Surprise Showing

(Va Beach, VA 03/27/2010) We planned a "last supper" at Bravo's Restaurant in VA Beach with a special group of friends. We had grown close over 6 years of being in the same Sunday School class at Westminster Church in Suffolk, VA, and going out for lunch after church (notice the food theme here?). We were really looking forward to spending time with these dear folks except for the fact that one couple of our group, Gary and Patty Stewart, had since moved to Charlotte and another couple, Bob and Loie Marshall are serving in the Navy in Naples, Italy and wouldn't be with us. Gary and I team taught the class and grew very close over the years. When they sold their house in a matter of weeks, in the fall of 2008, we asked them to live with us. They did, from December 2008 to end of Feb 2009, when we finally got tired of them and told them they had to leave (not!). They surprised us last July at my retirement dinner by saying they were not going to be able to make it and then showing up at the last minute (making a grand entrance right as we were getting started!). This time, however, it was the farthest thing from our minds that they would be there. Joy, I had riden in from Suffolk with Steve and Ellen Beneger and were meeting Sam and Cindy Wallwork there since they live in Va Beach. We got there within a few minutes of each other and all sat down. I noticed the table was set for 8 and remarked about it. Someone said, "they must have made a mistake". About 30 seconds later in pop Gary and Patty...surprise! We were blown away. They were actually staying with Sam and Cindy, so the whole group was in on it, but us! What special friends and what a special time we had. We talked and talked, solved all the Church's problems, and laughed and laughed over a long leisurely meal. After busting our gut by ordering dessert (some of us did) we finally had to say our "so long, not goodbyes" with hugs and maybe a few tears.
We love you guys!