Twenty-four years in the making, and one month in the planning of your birthday party, by the Il Volo Gals of Detroit! Lucky for us, your birthday was on a Saturday this year! 
That made it easy for us to plan and make sure everyone would be able to come and enjoy and relax and have fun.
As we were putting the final touches on your party, we could see from Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, that you had a jump on the festivities for yourself! Lots of champagne, a little vodka, pizza, and some whipped cream possibly? I’m sure you made it last all weekend, including a boat ride and swimming and lawn games with friends.
Saturday, June 24, 2017, proved to be a most beautiful day in Detroit, Michigan. Gorgeous blue skies, a light breeze, big puffy white clouds, and about a cool 75 degrees.
Might have been a bit chilly for the pool, here…but we had a great time as always.
We invited our core group of 6 and a few others. Betty from New Orleans tried to make it up here, but due to the storms tumbling through the Louisiana coast a few days prior, it was difficult to get a flight out. However, she said she would be sure to be here for your next birthday – a quarter century it will be!
Target time for arrival was about 4p. Lorna and I got there about 4:30p and a short time 
Donna arrived and everyone was there. Emilia would be coming later to join us after she got off work, after 9:00pm.
We brought so much food! We partied at Sharon’s, like always, and spread out our pot luck smorgasboard of cheese/crackers, chips/salsa, and fruit. We brought chicken, salmon, brats, sausages, and hot dogs for the grill. We had a nice healthy salad and green beans, too. We even had some pulled pork! And who could forget the wine and champagne and our toast to you! Of course, everything was delicious… We ate outside
under the beautiful early evening air, 
enjoying the serenity of the rushing water of the fountain in Sharon’s koi ponds.
There were special gift bags around the table where the cake was displayed with your picture on it. Several of us contributed little gifts to go in the bags….as we also celebrated a few other birthdays on Saturday. We impatiently waited until about 9:25p, when Emilia finally got there. We were like little kids, peaking inside, 
wondering what was in the bags. You may remember Emilia is the one who brought you the box of treats and sweets in Detroit at the meet and greet. For us, she made peanut butter bars, oh so tasty!
Emilia finally arrived! We greeted her and she had a bite to eat. Then it was time to sing Tanti Auguri to you. After 4 or 5 attempts, I think we finally got a good version! Ok, finally, Christmas had come in June and it was time to pass out
the presents. I knew what was in there, so my camera was ready to take pictures of the one special gift from Chris, along with a few others. I took pictures of the faces of happiness and surprise, and sheer joy.
Oh, you want to know what was in the bags, too? 🙂 Well, some very thoughtful little gifts, ranging from personalized calendars and magnets, to Sicilian lemon candies and a Sicilian Lemon candle from Yankee Candle, to a wine bottle stopper, M&Ms, some sweet 
treats and photos from past events! It was quite the little treasure bag – a big Grazie Mille to Chris, who had been planning this for months, as well as Lorna!
Then it was time – time to have some cake. We hesitated in cutting into the beautiful cake, but we managed to cut all around it to save the beautiful picture of that handsome 
fella on the front. The cake was chocolate with chocolate frosting with a strawberry filling between the layers. It was almost as sweet and wonderful as you.
Before we cut the cake and were trying to figure out the selfie sticks, Emilia ran around and took selfies of us all (after she figured out the selfie stick!) 🙂
After the cake was done and we had stuffed the last crumb of the peanut butter bars into our mouths, we collapsed in chairs, looking at all of our presents. 
We also put on the Pompeii concert to listen to that. Soon, it was nearly midnight and time for us to say goodbye.
We had a wonderful evening… we helped Sharon clean up and put away the food. Believe it or not, there were still nearly 3 whole bottles of wine left!
No games were played at this party, just the usual fun, laughter and togetherness we share in loving Il Volo!
It was hugs all around, as we said our goodbyes. A few of us, including myself, stayed the night as we stayed up to watch another concert of yours!
To all the guys…you give us reasons to party, to have fun, to remember, and to hope, and for a few nights a year, forget all our troubles and be thankful you are Il Volo and we can 
share in this special experience that we all know and love. You give us joy and inspiration to keep going sometimes, day after day, when we think we can’t go on, but when we look into your eyes, our problems fade away... Until next time, Piero! Have a wonderful year!
Jana and the Detroit Il Volo Gals….
Chris, Lorna, Ginny, Sharon, Donna, Barb, Magdalena, & Emilia
Detroit gals, You sure know how to party. Piero will be so pleased if he sees this entry. Joanie G
yes, I’m sure he would have rather been at our party! lol!
Jane & Daniela I just posted a letter to all you girls that is dated July 10th on the July 7th page. I have been looking at the posts I missed & wrote a post thinking I was on July 10th date complimenting you girls which I don’t want you to miss. Please make sure you read it. |You deserve all accolades.
Loretta, I saw and thank you very much, I answered you on 07 July.
Thanks Loretta!! I will look into it – actually on vacation and just flew back Monday. 🙂
Jana I am sorry missing your name on my accolades letter I wrote which I mistakenly put on page July 7th. Please read it so you can also enjoy the compliment.
To all you Detroit Il Volo Gals. That birthday party sounded
like a party to beat all parties. Piero shure missed a fantastic party as well as the amazing eats. Next time we see them, if were lucky we should have a big cake with their names on it which will show how much we care.
Not sure how we’d get it past the “guards!” 🙂
Marie how are you doing hope your not seriously sick. Your badly missed, if you can please just give us a word that you are ok.
Jana, your birthday party was fabulous! You girls really know how to have fun. I loved your last paragraph! That sums it up so beautifully!!
Thanks, Jane! Yes, it is so true…. 🙂
Kelly I wrote a letter to you special girls who do the hard work of keeping us up to date on the Il Volo boys which is dated July 10th on July 7th page. Please read it so you can feel good about the effort you contribute to the Il Volo blog. You have always done a super job for us. I was mistakenly on page July 7th when I wrote it. I am not looking for recognition. I just want to make sure you know you are appreciated.
What a party you ladies had!! Good food, good friends & Il Volo!!! Could not be any better!!
Thanks Jana for sharing your celebration of Piero’s 24th birthday. It must have been so much fun. If I lived near, I would love to join in! It’s always nice to share our love of Il Volo with others who feel the same. It would be great if Piero could see your post and realize how many people have been brought together because of their love for Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca. The last paragraph is particularly touching and so true.
Thanks, glad you liked that last paragraph! 🙂
Jana, it’s a beautiful birthday party, thanks for sharing it with us.
You Detroit il VOLO Gals have been great to organize such a party.
The gifts were beautiful and the cake gorgeous.
Your last sentence is very touching, actually IL VOLO is our excuse, to feel happy and a little carefree, our glue that unites us.
Yes, so true Daniela!! A very strong bond that stretches the world over, but hopefully, will never break!
Marie: I just read Loretta’s comment about you. I hope you are okay and that it is nothing serious. I miss you, as I know we all do. Take care and my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Daniela please don’t say you do nothing. I think you are lucky to be in the right place where you can receive & pass on to us what the guys are doing. We are very fortunate to have you on our side from Italy. Stay heathy & keep up the good work. If there is ever another gettogether in the States as a few years ago I hope you can get to the States to join us.
Jana, great job. Enjoyed reliving the evening. We did have a great time-don’t we always. Now it’s time to start planning the next BIG get together—–Ignazio’s birthday. Before you know it, it will be here.
Thanks, Chris! You made it special for everyone!! 🙂
Thanks all for your kind comments!! Was vacationing in Florida for the past week, visiting my mom. It was a bit warm and the closest I came to Italy this year was following the highway signs to Naples and passing Venice Beach to eating at Café Alfresco in Dunedin (a Scottish city) near Tarpon Springs! But had a lovely time with mom and her dog, Sparky!
So glad many of you liked the last paragraph, it is so true.
As always, everyone is always welcome to come to Detroit to join us. Looking forward to adding a “new” Detroit Il Volo Gal to the next party! 🙂
Thinking of doing Ignazio’s party on September 29 – I know a little early but his birthday is on a Wednesday this year and it’s hard for us working girls to gather in the middle of the week!
So, anyone out there planning to attend, mark your calendars for Saturday, September 29 – we can pretend it’s October 4! 🙂
Ciao! Grazie Mille!
Jana
yes, i recall Jana. you mentioned about painting some scenery?….. did you do it?…. please show us when ready…. 😉
oh how lovely! thank you Jana for sharing 😉
(wow, 4pm to midnight???!!!?!?!?!… and some of you even stayed over?!?!?!?!!!)
(i like to eat some of that chocolate cake too… and the other food 😉 )
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