Farewell Hoopla!

I wish I knew how many good-bye gatherings I’ve attended since being here. Even without an exact number, I can tell you that it has been SO MANY!!!! Last night, it was time for mine. Two of my friends commandeered the planning of this event about a month ago. I provided the guest list, and they did the rest! This was such a gift, because I have had to spend my time coordinating a whole lot of moving logistics and transition plans at work. I was incredibly grateful for someone else to manage the planning of this party, because you can probably guess how important it was to me! 

My friends opened their home to around 30 of us. The chef made two kinds of chili, and there were loads of other goodies there, too. I was OBSESSED with the chicken chili (and cornbread muffins!!)!

  
The place was full of balloons and some images of Purina, St. Louis skyline (including the Arch, of course), and the St. Louis Cardinals logo & stadium. It was very festive, which you know I loved!!

   
    
    
 
One of the hosts saved most of the photos from my blog posts to have them showing on a slideshow on the tv throughout the evening. (Can you say labor of love?! I’ve taken A LOT of pictures here!!)

One of my friends bought me a really fun “Swiss VIP” shirt, which of course, I had to put on immediately for a photo opp!

  
They also pulled out a few Megan-ism’s, like a marker and sign reminding everyone to put their name on their cup!

  
It was so wonderful to have people from all of my circles in the same place! I love when they get to mingle a bit and meet new people, too. 

   
    
   
Of course, the party planners had a few surprises up their sleeves! One was a video including messages from several expat friends who’ve already left Switzerland. You can tell from my expressions how much I LOVED it!!! (My friends are really funny!)

  
They also had a bunch of those friends (and a few others) join a FaceTime call live, so I could say “hello” to them, even though they obviously couldn’t be here. I was SO EXCITED for this, too!! One of the guys had headphones in, and I might’ve burst his ear drum with my squeal! (Oops! I have a problem controlling the volume when I get excited!)

  
When it comes time for your own good-bye, so many of the people you spent time with and made memories with are already gone, so it was special to have them participating via technology. 

And finally, they worked with a local bakery to design a beautiful “Happy Bye Bye!” cake complete with the Cardinals logo & the Arch! I LOVED it, and I am seriously impressed that they accomplished this here!

   
   
I left with a large collection of cards to read on the plane from the guests, which was super special, too. 

I was so thankful for a final hoopla before leaving Switzerland. There were so many people and so much general chaos and merriment that it didn’t leave room for sadness. I was blessed with such a fantastic circle of friends here. I can’t wait for our future rendezvous in locations all over the world!