Patty's Place, Here We Come!
Page Created: 11/25/2020 Page Last Updated: 7/26/2026
We are celebrating five years so please join us.
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Five years ago! with the person, Jan, who got us together!
We will be dining at Patty's Place in Seal Beach in their outdoor patio! The weather ought to be perfect.
Who's All Coming?
- Bob & Donna
- Vicky & Jim
- Bill & Sandi
- Michele & Franklyn & Theo
- Greg
- Us!
- Bob & Robin
- Charlotte
- Dianne & Eddie
- Will & Iris
- Joe & Amy & Alex
- Zack & Rebecca (could not make it)
The picture we are holding is from five years ago!!
Except for my additional hair, we have not changed!
I am indicating how long ago we were married!
Two daughters, two grandsons, one son-in-law and one special daughter-in-law! We only missed Zack and family.
Here's to ya!!
Ah, the missing son-in-law and camera man!
We had 25 friends and family this evening.
Iris is coming up on 100 years old on New Years Eve!
Sandi, Bill and Crazy Greg shared stories all evening long!
Iris and Will
Vicky was Master Of Ceremonies!
Thank You Vicky For Reading!
Six years ago, Mary walked into Patty's Steak House in Seal Beach expecting a nice dinner, maybe a decent glass of wine, and absolutely no major life changes.
Then Paul happened.
Paul was seated at tan outdoor table, trying to impress a waiter by correctly identifying the steak knives. "That one," he said confidently, pointing, "is for serious beef situations."
Mary laughed before she could stop herself.
Paul turned around, grinned, and said, "Finally, someone appreciates fine cutlery commentary."
That was it. Love arrived somewhere between the bread basket and the baked potato. By dessert, Paul had explained my theory that mashed potatoes were "just clouds with ambition," and Mary had decided Paul was either the funniest man ave or in desperate need of supervision.
As it turned out, both were true.
They fell madly in love. The kind of love where Mary started saving Paul's ridiculous voicemails, and Paul began referring to Mary as "my better 94 percent."
A year later, they returned to Patty's Steak House and got married there, surrounded by family, friends, and the faint smell of sizzling rib-eye.
Paul cried during the vows. Mary cried too, partly because she loved Paul and partly because Paul had written his vows on the back of a Patty's receipt and briefly promised to love, honor, and "try the seasonal vegetables."
Now, five years after that glorious wedding day, Mary and Paul are back at Patty's celebrating their anniversary.
The table was decorated with candles, flowers, and one framed photo of Paul accidentally dipping his tie into horseradish sauce at their reception.
Mary is looking radiant. Paul is looking proud, happy, and only slightly nervous, which usually means he had planned something.
Halfway through dinner, the Sun began to sink into the ocean.
Mary froze. "Paul," she said slowly, "what did you do?"
Paul stood, tapped his water glass, and addressed the family and friends gathered.
I had a few words about my bride!
Thank you Vicky for assisting with the script!
"Ladies and gentlemen, honored guests, unsuspecting diners—tonight we are here not only to celebrate five years of marriage, but also to recognize an extraordinary woman."
Mary covered her face.
From behind, Vicky emerged carrying a small trophy. It was gold, shiny, and appeared to have once been a bowling award. A tiny sticker on the front read:
HEROES AWARD
Presented to Mary
For Bravery, Patience, and Surviving Paul
"For five years, this woman has endured my shenanigans. She has survived my karaoke phase, my attempt to make homemade sushi, the Great Garage Organization Disaster of 2022, and the time I bought a fog machine for Thanksgiving."
"That turkey looked haunted," Mary said.
"It was atmospheric," I replied.
I handed Mary the trophy with great ceremony. "Mary, you are my hero. Not because you put up with me—though frankly, that qualifies you for sainthood—but because you love me exactly as I am."
Mary smiled, took the trophy, and expressed shock!
Mary was surprised! Vicky and I pulled it off well!!
Champion!!!!
"Thank you," she said. "I accept this award on behalf of all spouses everywhere who have found glitter in the air vents, mystery tools in the dishwasher, and a husband who once tried to fix the Internet by unplugging the refrigerator."
Everyone laughed, especially me.
Then Mary leaned over and kissed me.
Because somehow, amid all the chaos, bad ideas, surprise speeches, and haunted poultry, I was still her favorite person.
And Patty's Steak House, once again, had the best special on the menu: love, served with steak, laughter, and just a little bit of shenanigans.
Mary and I made the rounds catching up on the latest!
We applauded the wait staff! Dinner was spectacular!
Lobster anyone?? They look a bit hyper-active!
Charlotte joined the fun along with Donna and Bob!
Charlotte came to celebrate with us.
Oh My! Grandson versus the cow!! Amy looks terrified!
CHOMP CHOMP!!
Did You Know? - A tomahawk steak is a thick-cut rib eye steak with a long section of rib bone left attached. The bone is usually "frenched," meaning the meat is trimmed away from the bone so it looks like a handle—similar to a tomahawk axe.
It's basically a bone-in rib eye, known for being:
• Very flavorful and well-marbled
• Thick, often 2 inches or more
• Dramatic-looking because of the long bone
• Usually large enough to share It's typically grilled, reverse-seared, or pan-seared and finished in the oven.
How many calories? Six!
We may have under counted the calories.
All smiles!
We made a haul and got some wonderful cards!!
Bob and Sandy visit.
Lookin' good!!
Will tells us a story!
S-m-o-o-o-o-o-o-ch!
Romance is in the air!
Bob captured a picture of our surprise visitor!
Our Master Of Ceremonies!
Summary: By Miss Vicky:
A 5th wedding anniversary dinner celebration honoring our dear friends, Paul & Mary at a local favorite restaurant of theirs in Seal 🦭 Beach.
The attendees: Their beloved family members & dearest friends. Yep, I'm one of the lucky friends. I have known Paul over 30 years as he was an immediate neighbor & over the years he & his wife, Sue & Del & I became close friends.
After he retired, he really got into growing his own fruits 🍎 & vegetables 🥕 & because I'm right next-door, I sure benefited when it was time for him to harvest from his garden.
We've gone through so much in 30+ years: illness, heartbreak 💔 , death 😭 of our spouses, disappointments of our adult children … plus shared the JOYS of life… like being retired, watching grandchildren grow up, socializing like crazy, becoming Elk lodge members, social dancing 💃club members, dinner engagements, attending shows 🎭 & other events. We just wanted to have FUN 🤩 & we did & we continue to do so.
In 2021 Paul, who was a widower, married Mary 👩🏼 after a year long courtship. He was the happiest I had seen him in a long time & now in love 😍.
Now, they're celebrating their 5th wedding anniversary & he still hasn't stopped smiling😃. It's all Mary's fault. Lol.
Mary has been good for him & he spoils her like crazy. Isn't that what a husband is supposed to do?
So tonight, family & close friends were invited to join Paul & Mary in celebrating this wedding milestone. All the invited guests, I believe are truly happy that Paul & Mary have found each other & are enjoying this time in their life to the fullest.
At the anniversary dinner party, a toast was said on their behalf, I read a tribute that Paul asked me to read aloud in which he then presented his bride of 5 years, a small token trophy 🏆 in appreciation of her patience & tolerance of his silly 🤪 antics plus naughtiness 👿.
He added that he's so grateful for her being in his life & loves ❤️ her so much as she loves him just the way he is.
Paul and Mary are truly blessed in so many ways. Happy anniversary! Wishing them many many more happy & healthy years ahead