A Change of Scenery
Today I am going to share something a little different! So far I have shared our themes and date night ideas at home. Some with costumes and some without. Feel free to browse through any of our prior posts or go directly to our Gallery for a variety of photos.
However, prior to 2020 it was rare for us to stay home on weekends. We loved being out either by ourselves or with friends. We spent our time eating out and most weekends included seeing live bands and dancing.
In addition, we have attended many charity events in our time together. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, we have not attended any since early 2020. Fortunately, our two favorite events occurred prior to the shutdown. But, everything was canceled in 2021. So far, 2022 is not looking much better.
Neither of us attended events like this prior to meeting each other. However, every year since we started dating in 2011, we have attended these events.
All of the charities are for a cause that has either affected us directly or just something we feel passionate about.
You can check out our video for these events here.
Why something new?
For the past couple of weeks, I have had several Facebook memories from our events pop up. So, I decided this was the perfect time to share our events through the years! Plus I have been saying for quite some time that I wanted to do something with all of our pictures. Maybe a photobook for us or canvas collages. But I was thinking now that we have this blog, which is a form of a journal of our adventures together, why not add here.
I hope you enjoy our trip down memory lane.
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From the Beginning
How did this start if we never attended these types of events? Well, when we met, Bob was on the Board for the American Cancer Society. We had just started dating and he mentioned an event, this one being a cocktail party at a penthouse in Philadelphia. He asked if I would like to go. Sure! This event is where and when they all started in 2011.
These pictures are our very first pictures together in April 2011, and our first Facebook profile picture! Wow my hair was short! And Bob had hair!! (Btw, he knows I’m saying that!) I know, he is such an amazing guy and here I am picking on him! Terrible wife!
Of course, I had to go buy a new dress and shoes! This is my first White House Black Market dress. But not my last! If you haven’t shopped there, checkout the website here.
Next, there was a black tie optional event coming up. This was also in the city at the Hyatt Belleview. It was (we haven’t been there since so I cannot vouch for its current state) a beautiful hotel! It was so much fun! Frankie Vallie performed! I love Frankie Vallie! Shortly after this one, we attended an event for an organization that I belonged to as a volunteer for pancreatic cancer. I have no idea where the pictures are for either, but I wasn’t the crazy picture lady back then that I am today!! And they were before my need for a new dress for (almost) every occasion!
We only attended the above events once each. So you won’t see more about these.
The Philadelphia Auto Show
2012-2020
The Philadelphia Auto Show Black Tie Tailgate that benefits Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia is the one event we have attended every year since 2012. Well, until the shutdown. Fortunately we just missed the cutoff in 2020 so the event took place. The 2021 and 2022 events were both canceled.
This is typically held on the Friday evening before the show opens the next day at Philadelphia Convention Center.
I decided to start with this one since it our longest standing event, and one of our two favorites. When Bob asked me about going to this event, my first thought was the same thing I would say to myself anytime I saw the commercial – why would anyone go to an auto show for a black tie event?! But that was because as a kid my sister took us (my other sister and me) to the regular auto show. I was completely unfamiliar with the fancy event, other than the commercials, and that it was for charity. Anyway, we went. We had such a wonderful time. They have a fantastic live band (same every year since we have been going) with a large dance floor. It is always so much fun.
2012
There is one quick and funny story about the first event. This was back when the car show still had “car girls.” Bob and I asked someone to take our picture in front of the blue car you will see below. Then a guy walked up and asked if he could be next to have his picture with the car girl! Bob said .. um she’s my fiancée. It was quite entertaining, but I have to say I have no idea why the guy thought I was a car girl! And didn’t he notice it wasn’t a photographer taking our picture? Weird for sure!
2013 & 2014
2015
2016
Pope Francis was due to visit Philadelphia in September of 2015. The city was marketing early I guess! We stopped for a photo.
This is my first photo with Clutch. Isn’t he cute?
2017
2018
This photo was taken by one of the photographers at the event. It is one of my all time favorite photos of us. He still looks at me this way 🙂
2019
2020
Liberty Ball
2013-2020
Next is the Liberty Ball, a Knight for the Kids. This gala supports the Penn State Dance Marathon (THON) and benefits the Four Diamonds. Their mission is to conquer childhood cancer.
We learned of this through a good friend whose band plays the event. When our friend told me about the event, I knew we had to attend. It benefits childhood cancer, it is our friend’s excellent band, and it is Penn State. My husband is Penn State alumni (engineering undergrad). In addition, our son is now attending Penn State and is currently in his last semester at Penn State as well.
2013 & 2014
That’s the Nittany Lion! We never missed a year with our picture with him. He was easier to find than Clutch! So you will see him often.
This event has been held at a few different locations. The most interesting was in 2014 (above) at the Reading Terminal in Philadelphia.
The majority of the events have been held at the Crystal Tea Room in Philadelphia. It is always a great time!
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021 - Virtual
In 2021 the gala was virtual. In true form for us, we had a party at home that evening. We dressed in our black tie attire, and we had a really nice meal at home. It was a fun time with dinner and dancing. Of course, I had to decorate a little. But it was easy to do for this with a few Penn State items and more blue and white accessories. My favorite was the stuffed Nittany Lion! I was still in my phase of decorating the little tree, so that’s decorated in white and blue as well. You can check out all of our DIY Decorated Trees for All Occasions here.
The Nittany Lion was there again and of course our pup had to see what that was all about!
It was a fun time with dinner and dancing at home.
Traditions Ball
2018-2019
In 2018 we learned of the Traditions Ball held by an organization called Family Lives On. For 23 years this organization supported children who lost a parent. They provided them with a tradition that they enjoyed with their deceased parent.
This was something that has impacted us directly, and we wanted to support this organization. We were only able to attend twice. First 2020 was canceled due to the pandemic. Then unfortunately, they were one of the charities that could no longer operate financially due to the pandemic. We would have happily continued to support them.
2018 & 2019
Party in Purple
2019
In 2019 we attended the Party in Purple held by the Alzheimer’s Association. This is a charity close to my heart. In a addition to having a family member go through this, I volunteered in the memory care unit of a nursing home for a few years. Due to the restrictions, I have been unable to continue since 2020.
Unfortunately, the event has not taken place since then. We hope to see this up and running again soon.
2019
Even then we were in theme with our purple! I did not know prior, but there were two awards given for Pretty in Purple. I was one of the winners
It was held at the Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia. They had a carousel and Vegas-style table games.
We had a lot of fun and for such a good cause.
A Quick Note
All of these events were black tie optional attire. I am asked often where I get my dresses. Since they would no longer be available, I didn’t reference each individually. Instead I will sum it up. All, with the exception of the WHBM mentioned first, and the 2014 and 2015 (Ann Taylor) Auto Show dresses, all others came from Bloomingdales and Nordstrom.
But what I will also tell you is that I never pay full price for a gown! I am a planner, so typically my dresses are purchased well in advance of the events. So if you watch for special offers, you can find deals.
As for my shoes, pre-2020, I shopped a lot at DSW so my rewards were very helpful! Check out their selection.
In Conclusion
Thank you for following along with us. We know the past two years haven’t been easy on most people. But, it is clear that charitable organizations are also struggling. If you have a favorite charity, please consider helping in some way.
35 thoughts on “Adventures for a Good Cause”
I love how you documented all these amazing moments throughout the years, that is so cool! Bless both of you…
Love how involved you guys are in charitable events <3 We all need to be more like you guys!
Great article
I love all of your dresses but especially the gold one from the black tie tailgate. Gorgeous
It is always great to look back on things, you have some wonderful memories here. It was tough that so many events were cancelled but hopefully things are starting to reopen now
It’s nice to look back on your past memories. Thanks for helping out those who are in need. God bless you guys and I want you to know that you inspired a lot of people, Good job!
So many lovely looking events and some stunning outfits from you. It must have been a shame to miss out on so much due to the pandemic, but hopefully you’ll get to go to more soon x
It’s always so much fun to look back on past events like this…it’s great you two have found something like this to get involved in and be a part of each year!
I love that you took pictures each year. It’s so cool being able to see the progress in the outfits and the glow-up you had over the years. You’ve captured great memories.
I love going to charity balls and events. I haven’t been to any lately, however, we donated.
Ohh wow…. absolutely amazing memories sharing over the years compiled here, you’ve inspired me to blog the same too 🙂 cheers Siennylovesdrawing
As always you guys are amazing & I love these memories of your thank you for sharing….
What beautiful memories! Nostalgia can be quite wonderful from time to time. You two always look like you’re having so much fun 🙂
Loved reading
I love that you guys have did so many date nights that were events you could dress up and go to. Hopefully things will get better this year where you can go to more events without having to worry about the pandemic.
Your 2020 dress was stunning!! And you guys make such a sophisticated looking couple <3
thanks for sharing decades of exciting memories and that’s why we take photos all the time, to be able to create a showcase like this in the future 🙂 Thanks a lot for sharing this! – Knycx journeying
the event looks amazing! SO much fun! I do love attending such events myself and if it is for a good cause it is always better. I feel much better when I do it.
Great memories here to compile. I love your outfits every year but 2019’s my favorite.
You look amazing! I love the photo gallery.
What a lovely walk down memory lane! I love how you were able to support these wonderful charities, even during the pandemic. It’s awesome you got dressed up and had a fancy meal for the virtual event. That’s how you maneuver through a pandemic in style! I also love how your dog was able to enjoy your fancy virtual event. My dog, Henry would’ve done the same thing.
Wow you both have been on a lot of adventures together! It’s so great that it was all for a good cause.
Wow, what a great compilation of memorable events. Cheers to you!
This is amazing to have pictures of every year in one post. Great memories and hope you get even happier memories together.
Such great event memories. Thanks for sharing it with us!
The pictures of every year is a perfect compilation and so sentimental. I wish you more years full of beautiful memories.
What a lot of great memories! It is sad we can’t experience them right now, but I think we can see them again in the future. It’s never too late to hope!
Really cool! Great memories.
OMG! I love the gowns. You did a fantastic job organizing all the photos, and it looks like you had some great times together. Thank you for sharing.
How wonderful to have have these precious moments shared at these special charity events. Thank you for sharing your memories. You are right hopefully they will begin having these events again soon.
Pastor Natalie (ExamineThisMoment)
Letstakeamoment.com
Such a lovely collection of memories! Let’s hope there is a chance things will go back to normal (although I woke up to the news of war starting this morning in Europe), and you will be able to attend charity events again. Lovely pictures, too! You look the part!
I love the fact that you have kept all these photos and you know where and when they were taken. A very touching post.
lovely memories
Wow, looks like you have been to so many good events and places, glad you have the photos to remind you of the memories.
I love this collection of memories!