On March 19, 2005, Bob set out to surprise Jeannie for our 25th Wedding Anniversary.

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In December 2004 Bob contacted Danielle with the idea and asked for her help, next was to figure out a way to contact the wedding party without Jeannie knowing,  Bob decided to use Email to avoid any calls to the house or to insure no returned mail would come to the house and give it away.   The guest list for this event was mostly family, the wedding party, and a few friends. 

 

Here is the email attachment that was sent out.

You’re invited to witness the SURPRISE renewal of the marriage vows for
Bob and Jeannie Craine

On March 19, 2005 at the Woodlake Presbyterian Church at 4pm.
Located at:
600 W. Naranjo 
     Woodlake, CA   93286

Bob’s plan is to take Jeannie for an afternoon drive in the 54 pickup.  They will work their way to Woodlake at the church that they stated their vows 25 years ago. 

Please RSVP no later than March 12th by emailing or calling
Danielle or Bob   
No gifts please!  It will be an honor just to have you attend!

 REMEMBER it’s a SURPRISE…Jeannie does not know.

 

Thanks to everyone for keeping the surprise a secret as Jeannie had not idea until I opened the church door!

 

The Plan

 

This is the plan I gave to my dear friend, Pastor Scott Bosler.

 

3:30pm

Arrive, you that is!

 

3:45pm

Music played by Steve Foley on Guitar– His choice of songs.

 

3:55pm

Pastor Scott will introduce himself and explain what is about to happen.  Until Jeannie gets here in front of us, he will not know when she learned about Bob’s plan to restate their wedding vows.  Bob’s desire is to surprise Jeannie with this act of love and his willingness to restate his love for her publicly. 

As for what is going on, Jeannie thinks she is going for a drive in their 1954 Chevy Pickup for the first time.  Bob and many others have been working on it for just under 3 years.  Bob has told Jeannie that they will stop off in Exeter for dinner so they are just cruising around.   As they come into town Bob will say, "Hey, let's stop in and peep at the church we got married in.  I want to see how it has changed."

Depending on Jeannie’s answer, either she is going to peep in and see all of you or I will be explaining to her why she needs to go in with me!

 

4-4:07pm

With any song that Steve chooses we will walk in and work our way down to meet Pastor Scott, greeting family and friends on the way.

 

4:10pm

Opening prayer – Pastor Scott

 

4:13pm

(Having members of the wedding party is another surprise.) Pastor Scott will explain that not only did Bob and Danielle plan out this event, they invited all the members from the wedding to join us today.  Steve will play some background music as they walk in.  Pastor Scott will ask them to introduce themselves and what their role was in the 1980 wedding, where do you live now….etc.  I have not seen some of these guys in over 20 years, but to this day, each one is very special.

 

They are to join us up front and remain until we are done.  Just have them line up next to us like they did 25 years ago.

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4:30pm

Pastor Scott - chose the following verses to read, 

 

Ecclesiastes 4:9-11 (New International Version)

9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:   10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!    11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.  But how can one keep warm alone?

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Ecclesiastes 5:4-7 (New International Version)

4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. 5 It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it. 6 Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, "My vow was a mistake." Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands? 7 Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore stand in awe of God.

 

After Pastor Scott spoke we restated our vows. We wrote these ourselves and used them in our wedding in 1980.

 

Written by Jeannie 1980

I love you Bob and I want you to be my wedded husband.  I promise that I will uphold and stand by you in both the good and bad times, in poverty or wealth, in sickness or health.  I will and cherish you until the Heavenly Father we both love separates us by death.  Bob, I pledge you my faith according to the Holy Ordinances which God has set before us.

 

Written by Bob 1980

Jeannie I have asked you to be my wedded wife because I want to take care of you in times of sickness and in health, whether we are poor or rich, because I love you and cherish you.  No matter what happens in this world that the Lord God has created, till He comes and takes you away, I pledge you my faith according to His word.

 

At this time please Introduce Joy and Karen accompanied by Steve Foley on guitar as they prepare to sing a song by Dan Fogelberg "Longer".  In 1980 this song was played as Jeannie and I lighted the unity candle.  Pastor Scott, let everyone know that while this song was sung, Danielle joined her mom and dad as they lit a memory candle in honor of their son/brother Bobby, friends Jason, Justin, Pat, and Brad,  Bob’s parents, Rose and Bob Craine, Bob’s father Arlindo Baptista, Bob’s half brother Jim, Jeannie’s grandmothers Mabel and Grace, Uncles Don, Aunt Pat, Uncle Leo, Aunt Esther, and Uncle John.

Pastor Scott,  all of us might need a minute to compose ourselves, so if you would turn off the microphone and just have a private chat with us that would be awesome.   Once you think we are ready, would you introduce us to everyone as Bob & Jeannie Craine”.  Pastor Scott, let everyone know that we are going to let Bob & Jeannie, joined by Danielle and the wedding party exit and have a private moment before rejoining everyone! Please encourage everyone to stay and visit, share stories as a meal will be provided in about 20 minutes.

 

Toast and Blessing
given by our daughter Danielle

 

Mom and Dad, knowing you two for the past 21 years has been such a blessing.  The two of have shown me the greatest example of what marriage should be.  In our home you always showed that you cared for each other and respected what the other had to say in daily conversation or whenever you had your “serious discussions,” and in every choice for our family you both always consulted the Lord. 

 

 As parents, Bobby and I could not have asked for better ones.  While our family had its times of great happiness of family vacations, baseball, swim meets, dance recitals, football games, soccer practices, and times of just goofing around at home, we have also encountered great heartbreak. It is in these times I admired you both so much more than before. Your love for each other never faltered through any trial.  When we lost Bobby, you uplifted each other in way I had never seen before.  In the good and bad days that have come you both have constantly been there for one another by simply loving the other one that is struggling.  Honestly, you two are what keep me going when I think it’s too hard. 

 

 The both of you have done nothing but support my choices since I was a child.  Even now, you have always supported me in what I want to do with my life.  As scary sometimes I’m sure it has seemed to you, you have never once discouraged me from doing anything.  You have always been the ones to love me when I have been unlovable.  The both of you have done nothing but offered some of the greatest advice in my life when I have most desperately needed it.  Both of you have challenged my walk with the Lord in more ways than one.  Pi, you were the one that told me to ask Jesus to help me when I thought I saw a monster in the hallway, but I didn’t want Jesus to help me.  Mau, you always have been the one that has constantly taught me to seek out God and have been a role model for digging deeper into the word.

 

 I count it a huge blessing that I have the coolest parents in town.  I mean really, whose parents have their best friend’s cell phone numbers and actually call them on occasion?

 

 Thank you for every blessing you have given me.  Thank you for being my heroes. Thank you for being my cheerleaders.  Thank you for all of the sacrifices you have made for both Bobby and I. Thank you for being my number one fans.  Thank you for being my friends when I feel like I have none. Thank you for being my parents. I love you both and Happy 25th Anniversary.