50 Years

Wifey and I were invited to and attended a 50th wedding anniversary dinner last night, for my old boss Ed and his wife DeeDee.

We went to Romeo's Cafe on Coral Way, a terrific little restaurant where Romeo comes to the table and asks whether there is anything you DON'T eat, and then proceeds to bring you 6 or 7 courses. We had risotto, duck, pasta --all delicious.

I hadn't seen Ed in 6 years --he's now 75. He had lost a bunch of weight, grew a beard, and gave up his famous comb over haircut. He looked older, of course, but also gained the dignified appearance of a retired professor --maybe of engineering.

Ed's truly one of the most brilliant men I've ever met. As another mentor of mine once noted, Ed has the mind of an engineer with the sociopathic personality needed of a great trial lawyer. He taught me over the years I worked for him that a lawyer creates a case, he doesn't simply apply facts to existing law. I watched Ed get millions of dollars for injured people based solely upon Ed's theories of how machines and premises should be safer than they are.

Ed's daughter Randi and son Bobby hosted the party. Randi is the "perfect child" who was always doing the right thing. She went to law school and practiced for awhile, but retired 10 years ago to be a full time mom and do volunteer work.

Bobby followed Ed's path and became a bombastic and succesful lawyer. Both Bobby and Randi married well, and Ed and DeeDee have 4 great grandkids.

What role models they are! Ed and DeeDee always had very separate interests --Ed hunted, fished, and collected fine wine. DeeDee grew champion orchids. But they agreed on their kids and grandkids, and reveled in them last night.

Bobby gave a toast wondering what the secret was in staying married 50 years. Ed interrupted him, in his terrific W.C. Fields delivery: "Well Bobby --it's time to share the secret. We decided early in our marriage that whoever asked for a divorce would have to take the kids." It brought the house down.

Wifey and I had a great time. Bill, Ed's long time friend and pilot, recounted the tale of our near crash in Ed's King Air one morning on our way to Tampa. He told us that in his 35 year flying career, it was the closest he came to "buying the farm." I don't think Wifey ever realized how close I came to dying that day. We laugh about it now, but it was my closest brush with the Reaper.

Meanwhile, it was such a great feeling to see the love Ed and DeeDee's kids have for them, to throw them such a grand party.

50 years. Wifey and I are nearly half way there. Notice is hereby given to Ds 1 and 2: if Romeo's is open, make reservations for OUR party for January 3, 2037!