Parting Parties

So many celebrations! Deonda retired on April 20 and Dermot followed on May 4. We thought we knew all the plans but our loved ones had a few tricks up their sleeves.   

Deonda: My retirement party at City Hall was lovely with all the traditions: good wishes, gifts, speeches and a massive cake.  I’ll have to admit, the day felt surreal.  Was it really possible I wouldn’t be back on Monday?  I gathered HR pictures spanning 24 years and showed it as a slideshow you can watch by clicking here.

Some co-workers, friends and family then joined us for drinks and dinner downtown.   (More pictures here).  Julianna and Tyler had arranged to cap off the evening at SAK Comedy Lab which our family had enjoyed together many times before. The show was great and we posed for some silly shots at intermission.

Then came the twist - they had purchased a part of the show, supplied the actors with information and let them loose to create the one and only production of “Deonda Scott, the Musical.”  Everyone really pulled out all the stops to make my last day of work unforgettable! 

Dermot: My co-workers took me out to the Rock and Brew for drinks and dinner. I was amazed so many people came out to celebrate with me.  (More pictures here)

The food and drinks were wonderful but the best part was all the stories we told each other from our 28 years together.  Some of them were even true! 

Bon Voyage Party at Fiddler's Green: 
We didn’t want to leave without getting together with those outside our work circles and/or for one more time. 

May 5th was Cinco de Mayo and Kentucky Derby Day and we held it at Fiddler’s Green Irish Pub. Yeah, a bit strange but that’s just how we roll.  Sarah White surprised us with this delicious cake to top off the evening!

We had a great time with so many wonderful people!  (More pictures here)

We invited everyone to “Tell Us Where To Go” and they tagged our Lonely Planet Europe book and left stories of their favorite travel experiences.  With all this great guidance and love from family and friends, this is going to be the trip of a lifetime!

Thank you to everyone who made it out to celebrate with us and to everyone who couldn't! I wish we'd had the idea to collect people's recommendations prior to the Bon Voyage Party so if you have a favorite place or experience to share, please leave it in the comments section below.

Now we have to pack up and get ready to head out!