Some of you might know that it was my wife Ariana and my 3 year anniversary on Sunday. When we got home yesterday (another 380miles no issues) she posted this on Facebook to all of her friends. I cannot tell everyone how everyone exceeded my wild expectations and how though the W113 community kindness my family will make this a reoccurring event. THANK YOU EVERYONE!
"First of all, I want to say thank you to everyone for their sweet anniversary messages. This year we spent our anniversary doing something that Bob has wanted to do since we started dating but life always got in the way.
Every two years Pagoda University Blacklick occurs. PUB, is an event in Blacklick, OH for a group of individuals from all over the world who all have the same passion for the Mercedes-Benz Pagoda, the W113. This group is one that is alive all year round through message boards, e-mail and phone but mostly everyone knows each other by their screen names.
What a cool event, when we'd first arrived and were walking around, men would walk up to us, introduce themselves and immediately Bob and whomever it was would look at each others name tag and instantly recognize the screen name and shake hands or hug fondly as if they'd known each other for years. Almost everyone we talked to remembered the flood and commended Bob and his mechanics for how great the car looked and ran. Amazed that it was recovered.
By the end of the 3 days, we'd made lasting friendships with people from all over the US, Canada, Australia and even Sweden. Tre, although the only kid there was welcomed and loved. Bob was able to spend quality time with "Veronica" his beautiful Pagoda, the farthest he's ever driven her and it was so important to him to include us in his passion by having us attend with him.
Most people would say, "well that's not really an anniversary celebration", and I'm telling you all of this because I disagree. We had a perfect anniversary and I'll tell you why. One of the most important aspects of marriage to me is embracing and supporting your spouse in their passions, hobbies and what makes them smile, and I felt incredibly special that Bob wanted to include me in that. I wasn't there on the sideline, I was there speaking the lingo, and Bob would affectionately mention how great I was at the body work. Just as Bob made new friends, I made new friends. I wasn't just another wife, I was part of the group.
Happy Anniversary Bobby. I love you more than you will ever know and I'm here by your side and will attend PUB with you as long as you'll have me. To another year! I'm proud to be your wife and was so happy to stand by your side this weekend."