Dad's 89th Birthday - A Williamsburg, VA Celebration

Blog » Dad's 89th Birthday - A Williamsburg, VA Celebration

Monday, April 23, 2018

By Elizabeth Larson Photography

Here it is already - 2+ months since Dad's 89th birthday! This coming week will be my first visit with him since then & I'm so thrilled I can spend time with him again. I've been meaning to post a few highlights from his birthday, which was on February 7th. Bernice, my stepmother made it extra special for him, as did their caregiver Cynthia, whom I absolutely adore. She is a gift from God without a doubt!

Dad & Bernice had a few friends join them for a late afternoon celebration at their home. It was such a beautiful spread & with what Bernice calls their "pretty pretties" out on the dining room table (china, silver, crystal!). They served several wines from their favorite Virginia vineyard (one of my favorites too!), an assortment of cheeses, crudites, and of course birthday cake. Bernice had the bakery make Dad's beloved coconut cake. It was so decadent, not to mention it was one of the densest cakes ever - it weighed about 20 pounds! The writing in icing on top of his cake was in The College of William & Mary's colors - green and gold. W&M is Dad's alma mater.

And to go along with that, I got him a new W&M coffee mug and brought him a pound of Guatemalan coffee beans from my favorite NC coffee shop, DeBeen Espresso. He adores Claeys Horehound Candy which he remembers from his childhood & I've found only one place what sells it in NC (my little secret, he wants the entire supply for himself!).

This week Dad & I have plans to drive down to Jamestown Island to enjoy the scenery, maybe take a picnic, and our cameras too. Then spend time in their garden (I want to pot up some plants for them), take a walk through campus and down to DOG Street (Duke of Gloucester Street & Merchant's Square), and work on a couple of photo editing projects together. Dad doesn't get around very well these days - however he has his red speed racer hover-round scooter and he still has a sharp mind. Not to mention his social life seems to be better than mine! These days are precious and I need to spend as much time as I can with him. I'm going to enjoy every minute of it!

cheese tray & crudités | The Cheese Shop, Trader Joe's, The Fresh Market

wines | Barboursville Vineyards

birthday cake | Carrot Tree Kitchens

If you'd like to document a special time in your loved ones lives, contact me for details!

Tags: nc portrait photographer, personal, NC family photographer, Greensboro Photographer, Greensboro Wedding Photographer, VA family photographer, Williamsburg, VA, family, Barboursville Vineyards, College of William & Mary, The Carrot Tree Kitchens, VA portrait photographer, Greensboro Portrait Photographer, The Cheese Shop

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4 Comments

Sunday, May 03, 2020 8:43AM

Elizabeth Larson - Great to hear from you Peter! And that's right, you joined Dad on that sailboat trip. Even though I was pretty young then, I still remember this. I think I might even have the original SAIL magazine in the bookcase in my office. I'll have to look for it. As for Dad, he just celebrated his 91st birthday back on February 7th. I drove up to Williamsburg that weekend to celebrate with him and my stepmother, Bernice. It was the last time I got to visit with them due to the Covid-19 outbreak & I'm so grateful I did go. We talk on the phone almost daily, so I'll be sure to mention to him that I heard from you and that you were able to relive some fond memories, just by reading the article again. Please give your mom my best too!
Be safe & keep in touch - Elizabeth

Sunday, May 03, 2020 7:36AM

Peter Modys - Mother recently sent me a copy of the magazine article that your Dad wrote of our sailing "Odyssey" on Chesapeake Bay in the early 70's. That lead me to the internet to do a little fact finding and of course I came across your website and your birthday celebration with your Dad. Please pass along my regards to your Dad when you have the chance and please tell him how much I enjoyed reading that story once again and how that trip made such a lasting impression on me during my youth. Take Care. Peter

Monday, April 23, 2018 8:27AM

Elizabeth Larson - Dad will love this Fiona - he always asks about you! If it weren't for him I wouldn't of met one of my besties - you! Started out as a wedding client, became an amazing friend. We all love you too! XO

Monday, April 23, 2018 8:05AM

Fiona - What a wonderful birthday celebration! Chiles and Bernice could give lessons in aging with style and grace. :) I love everything about this post; have a wonderful time with them, Z! Love to all.