Day 2: At Sea and the Surprise Anniversary Party

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Our first full day on the ship. We woke up and had breakfast at the Market Cafe which was the cafeteria-style restaurant on board. It has huge windows so you can see outside.



Then everyone did their own thing until 4 pm when we had a "Family Conference", which was pretty much a sacrament meeting without the sacrament. We had prayers, songs, and different family members shared spiritual experiences related to the family. Steven shared the story of when I had the severe bleeding back in May and was told I had placenta previa and needed to be really careful. After we told Christie and Jordan what was going on and how we (mostly I) needed their help, they were very helpful and every night after that until Alex was born, they prayed that he would be healthy. He also shared how, during labor with Alex, his heart rate dropped and stayed low to the point where I came thisclose to needing a c-section, he prayed that everything would be OK and I wouldn't need surgery. His point was that he was grateful for the power of prayer.

We then headed to the Versailles Room, which is a French-style decorated restaurant for dinner and a surprise anniversary party.



The point of this cruise was to celebrate Steven's parents' (K&S) 50th wedding anniversary (actual date is in September). During the previous few months, Steven's older brother M and his wife K collected pictures of K&S's life from the day they were married to the present, including pictures sent from each family. All these pictures were made into a beautiful book that was presented to them, along with a box of letters and cards from their grandchildren, extended family members and friends. They were completely surprised by this!





Steven's older sister B announced to the room at large that we were celebrating a 50th anniversary and would everyone please join in a round of applause. Then several of the wait staff sang "Let Me Call You Sweetheart".



Then one of the waiters brought a tray of root beer floats, which is our family's celebration drink. Someone in the family (can't remember who) made a joke that most people celebrate an anniversary with champagne but we celebrate with root beer floats!





A funny side note: Most of the ship staff (waiters, photographers, cabin stewards, etc.) that we met were not American. They all wear name tags with their name, position and country of origin. Most of them were from Asian nations. The waiter that brought the root beer floats had never heard of them! S (Steven's sister who arranged for them) had to explain over and over what they were, and then how to make them. We all got a good laugh when she explained the ordeal!