The Men of the Titanic

How do I describe or put into words an evening to be cherished... an evening so romantic, so special...an evening that made me feel incredibly honored by my husband? I guess I start at the beginning...

Towards the beginning of the year Russ was approached by a friend and asked if he wanted to participate in planning a special evening to honor their wives. It was going to take a commitment on Russ' part to come to monthly planning meetings to prepare for the special day - but there was one big stipulation - the wives could know nothing!!!

In total there were 10 men who spent the next many months secretly meeting, practicing and planning for the special day on October 17, 2009.

In April we began taking Ballroom dancing lessons (with 5 of the couples) to learn the Waltz, Tango, Rumba, Fox Trot & the Viennese Waltz. The wives still had no idea what was up - our husbands only told us that we were taking dance lessons and more details would soon come.

About a month later an invitation came in the mail inviting me t o an evening of dinner and dancing and that a limo would be picking me up...

Russ took me shopping for just the right dress & shoes for the evening. I decided to get my hair done in an "up-do" (something I have never done in my entire life!) since my normal hair style just wasn't going to go with my elegant ensemble. I was ready and anxiously waiting for my limousine to pick me up and take me to the "secret location"...

Finally the limousine arrived with the other ladies inside...

All the ladies looked so beautiful!!!!

Once I entered the limo we all received another personal note from our husbands telling us their goal was to make the night something memorable for us to treasure for many years to come...

We were driven to the Double Tree Hotel in Irvine and greeted by our husbands who were all dressed in full tuxes and tails!!!!

Russ looked so handsome!
I haven't seen him in a tux since our wedding!

We were escorted to a cocktail room where Russ greeted me with a kiss & corsage and he read me the "theme" of the evening.




Thankfully, a professional photographer was there to capture our time together. We don't get dressed up often - it's been over 18 years!

It was very fun to be able to share this special night with our friends Tony & Wendy...

Along with Jocelyn & Roger (who was the mastermind of this event)...

Elena & Ryan

Su & Mike

Lori & Bryan (coincidentally, I grew up with Bryan!)

Then around 5pm the beautiful glass doors opened up to a small ballroom where there was a huge dining table beautifully decorated and we were announced one by one as we entered into the room.

No detail was left undone...

They even brought in a special bell that they rang in between each course.

When we were all seated, the candles were lit, the music was softly playing, one of the men stood and welcomed us to the evening...

"Tonight we husbands are gathered here to honor our wives in an historical reenactment event entitled "The Men of the Titanic". Tonight, we remember the acts of bravery and sacrifice as "The Men of the Titanic" knowingly embraced their fates. These brave men gave up their seats - and defended lifeboats from those less honorable - so that their wives and children could be saved. They tenderly kissed their wives and children goodbye, then prayerfully watched the lifeboats row away, while they waited for the Titanic to sink"...

The evening was dedicated to honoring us with this expression of their love, devotion and willingness to sacrifice all for us.

The very formal dinner was specially created by the chef of the hotel to replicate the first class meal on the Titanic - the exact menu the first-class passengers ate: Consommé Olga, Filet Mignons Lilly, Cold Asparagus Salad, Red Wine, Chocolate and Vanilla Éclairs and ending with assorted fresh fruits and cheeses and dessert wine.

Throughout the evening, toasts were made by each of the men - keeping with the theme of the Titanic - each sharing a little trivia about what these brave men did that night before they perished, as well as, sharing a Bible verse.

Russ emotionally shared:
"John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends...In the same way the men present tonight commit to not only live their lives sacrificially for you but to lay it down if necessary".

After each toast the men would present us with gifts...

The first gift was an embroidered napkin with the logo of the "White Star Line" (the Titanic's shipping company) and the date of our evening - October 17, 2009.

The second gift was a bottle of perfume picked out by our husbands.
The third gift was lovely stationary and pen.

The 4th gift was jewelry

Russ told me to come to the evening with no jewelry - so once I opened my gift - my ensemble was complete!

And last, but certainly not least, a love note written by our husbands that they each read privately to their spouses (there was not a dry eye in the room!)

And if that wasn't enough - after many months of practicing, the men got up and sang "You Raise Me Up" and "Near My God to Thee" - A capella! They sounded fantastic!

The beautiful women of the evening...

The handsome men of the evening...

The whole gang!

Our dear chef who was delighted to replicate the Titanic dinner - it was so delicious!!!

The rest of the evening was spent ballroom dancing - as that's what the people did on the Titanic after dinners - the Waltz, Viennese Waltz, Tango, Fox Trot, Rumba (all the dances we had learned), as well as socializing with the other couples with us.

But when all was said and done and the party was over - it was time to take down my hair and let it loose!!! A little like Madame Medusa I'd say!!!

What an incredible evening!!!

I am so proud of these 10 men of honor - men who are willing to be the husbands & family leaders God created them to be. And for their willingness to spend countless hours and many months planning to make this evening so incredibly special for us.

An evening to remember!

And for my husband's undying love...I am forever grateful!

To see the video of the men singing, click here for "You Raise Me Up" and here for "Near My God to Thee"