40th Anniversary of Milton & Rosalind Chang

With less than a month to prepare, Linda and Michael successfully staged a surprise party to celebrate their parent's 40th Anniversary.  The party was well organized with thoughtful suggestions as to where guests could stay.  Perhaps the hardest part of the preparations was keeping their parents from finding out prematurely.  Milton was in Taiwan at the time, but Rosalind was at home with Linda's family.  According to Dave (Linda's husband), Linda and Dave had to give excuses to Rosalind every time they went out to make arrangements.   They said they had to buy wine for Dave, or to run an errand for Dave.  It almost ruined Dave's reputation as if he was a horrible slave driver.  It indeed was not easy to keep secrets for too long.

The Restaurant Marche was very close to the Stanford University and across the street from Yulanda and Felix's exquisite gift shop (Julie's).  After an eye-opening tour of Julie's shop, we walked to the restaurant.  There were about 70 guests in the dinning room with half of them from the Los Angeles area.  Just before 6pm, we hid in the back room where Rosalind and Milton would make their entrance.  When they arrived, they smiled with joy and hugged every body. 

The dining area was decorated with poster size black and white photos of Rosalind and Milton's wedding 40 years earlier.  More black and white photos were framed and placed at each place setting as decorations and gifts for the guests.  Food at the Marche was excellent.  The evening program was mostly impromptu but it came together as if they were rehearsed.  Many friends and relatives made short speeches reminiscent of the good old days, while Phyllis and Amy quickly organized the Caltech Choir to show off their talents.  After the July performance at Paul and Amy's party, the Choir was even more confident and won a lot of applause.  Although the hosts specifically mentioned "No Gifts", it was hard for us to pass the opportunity to play up our organization, the "Wine and Meat Society".  Paul was able to find a box of beef jerky and a bottle of 40 years old Chateau La Gaffeliere wine.  After presenting the gift, Paul read the poem he composed just 24 hours ago.

創業齊家樂共嚐 

樹木樹人鬢未霜 

比翼四十猶年少 

百歲始是老鴛鴦

The next morning, Rosalind and Milton invited all of us to his house for an early brunch.  That gave us more chance to talk to each other.  Although there was plenty of food on the table, Milton insisted on having us try his Dan Dan Noodle as well.  It was a bright and sunny day in the Bay area.  The party was a great success.  We hope to return for their 80th Anniversary.  Perhaps Paul may have another bottle of the 1966 Chateau La Gaffeliere stashed away in his wine cellar.  More importantly, by that time, Milton and Rosalind will be the first pair of qualified Love Birds among us, according to Paul's definition.  Thanks for the memory and a great party.

 

Following photos are provided by Felix Wong

Please click on the picture to magnify

Saturday (8/12) Luncheon @ the Chang's