Some of you are familiar with my story of how we gave a newlywed soldier on his way to Iraq a free reception last year. When the parents came to pay the bill, we told them "No charge". Since my son had been to Iraq twice, we understood where this family's emotions were and we wanted to contribute to his wedding/going away party.

We loved the feeling it gave us and we pledged to do something like this at least once a year.

Well, I got this year's taken care of this week. I have a cake-only wedding coming up (no buffet....just the cake) and both the bride and groom are military. He's been to Iraq once and will be heading back for a second tour very very soon.

They came over this week to pay for the cake and we told them the payment was being waived. "We pick one couple a year to do this with and this year we picked you." And we told them why ..... we are partial to our military couples and we want to do something extra special for them when we can.

We (hubby and me) got LOTS of hugs and they kept thanking us over and over! We told them to take the money and have a nice dinner or get a bigger hotel room for their wedding night or something.

It's the greatest "giving back" feeling in the world!!

Wow, that is a great story and a great service you are doing. Feel good, no, feel GREAT!

You're AWESOME!!!!!

Awesome story Deb! I love it!

How sweet, you and your husband are nice, caring, people. I can only imagine how happy the newly weds were. Hugs again from me to you.

There are so many ungrateful people who feel that the world owes them everything! It is so, so nice to hear a story of appreciation, genuine appreciation. Thanks for sharing it!

Bought tears to my eyes....Great story......Im

Congrats to you! It's true that when you give to others you are really giving the biggest gift to yourself.

WOW Debi, thats is so wonderful! I am so happy to hear somebody give back to others, and not just becuase of the holidays. And please nnobody take that the wrong way, but that seems to be the high season for human kindess, sorry off the subject Debi YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!!

You are the BOMB! That's real nice.

Debi, that's wonderful! You're an angel to those people. Thanks for sharing your story.

We thank you too! that's a great thing to do. proud of you girl friend!

Thats a AWESOME thing to do. Thanks for sharing, and for giving us such a great idea.

Lots of hugs for you and your hubby!

That's wonderful. They all deserve it. I wish we could send a cake to ALL of them!

One MORE reason to vote for you! I've said it before and I'll say it again.... YOU ROCK!!!!

I just got goose bumps all over! That's so sweet! God bless!

Indydebi, i knew you were one of my favorite people on here for a reason!

I think any time someone gives of themselves, it is such a wonderful experience for both parties involved. I recently started baking birthday cakes for a local domestic violence shelter. Anytime they have a child that is having a birthday they let me know and I take them a birthday cake. I never knew that something so simple could mean so much.

Again, you are awesome Indydebi, not only witty and wise but a wonderful person as well

Way to go Deb!! - I had one of those great weeks last week, too! I participated in the Cake Baking 1&2 Intense course at the Institute of Culinary Education in NYC. Needless to say, with 5 teams of 2 people each, there was a lot of cake! I found lots of charitable homes for all the leftovers, and all was so greatly appreciated. I told my fellow students about all the places I could deliver the extra cake to, and they were all so willing to share what they had.

Theresa

Oh, dominque, we have talked about doing that exact very same thing! We've talked how hard enough it must be to be in a shelter, but to be there and not be able to give your child a simple birthday cake ......

I have a five year old and because of him I came up with the idea. The moms are always so grateful and the kids are always thrilled. I'm actually trying to decide if I should continue on with my education and become an art therapist specializing in young children, or try and open up my own bakery. I'm torn between my two loves...........

Dominique -

If I were facing a choice like that, I would go with the art therapist. It sounds like a totally rewarding career choice. And there is no reason why you can't combine both.

Theresa

What a wonderful thing you did, debi! :'(

Debi and Dominique you guys rock. It so easy to say that you'd love to do something like that (like I say to myself sometimes) but to actually do it is a special kind of person. I'm agnostic but know there is a special place in this world for wonderful people like you guys.

You guys Rock

Debi, you are just the most awesome person I know. Being brought up in the military, and being a military spouse for 20 years, and having so many friends that have deployed from here: MY HAT IS OFF TO YOU AND HUBBY!!!!!

Just wanted you to know that I appreciate everything you do for the military and their families. You both have the BIGGEST HEARTS IN THE WORLD!!!!


Dominique26, You are great!!! It must give you such a great feeling to offer such a surprise to someone who totally could use an extra smile!!! Good for you!!

Great job you guys!!!!!!

debi..that hits very close to my heart as well. my brother just came home from iraq last december, and is scheduled to head over to afghanistan in january. it is such a hard time. i just know that what you do for these families is so appreciated.
i also want to thank you for sharing this story, because it makes me want to do my part as well. i remember volunteering in the shelters and watching the women with young children walking in the door. just breaks your heart. not a bad place to start volunteering again. i never thought of them missing out on birthday cakes.
thanks again for leading the way

Okay, I think my tears are under control now so I can respond!
My son is also being deployed soon, so I know how my heart is on my sleeve also and for you to do this is so amazingly wonderful I can only thank EVERYONE who does ANYTHING to thank our soldiers!
To add to everyones story......
my son works for the Army (he's in Nat. Guard) on a daily basis near us so when he is transporting vehicles to another Army base he drives by our house. One day he forgot something here so he stopped by with an Army convoy that lined up my entire block!! Luckily I had baked cookies and bundt cakes that morning (testing new recipes) so I handed them off to the soldiers. Now, once a month, I have a convoy of soldiers/vehicles stop over for munchies for the travel (and they know I have to take photos!). They always thank ME, but it's THEM that needs the thanks.
Thanks for letting ME share my story too.

Thanks for sharing Debi. I can't imagine how thrilled that couple was. What a wonderful way to give something back to our soldiers. These stories hit home now more than ever. So many of my daughter's young friends (from the JROTC program) have been or are about to be deployed. I felt the love and concern for all of our soldiers before, but now I am dealing with my friends and mothers of those deployed. It's a whole new ballgame. I will be following in your footsteps (when I grow up to be just like you!)

That's just wonderful Debbie .

Hats to to anyone who contributes to uor military!! My best friend's son has two sons who have served in Iraq. The one is coming home from his second tour. He is getting married in Texas and he wont have too many family from here being able to attend. We are having a party for him and his fiance next weekend. I am trying to get a pic of their wedding cake they will have and try to replicate it. But indy gave me the idea of maybe doing a tierd cake with a flag draping down the side.