Celebrations In The Behnke Family

Last week, my cousin and former Behnke President, Mark Behnke, and his wife, Charlene, welcomed the newest Mrs. Behnke to our family. What a beautiful wedding at the Celebrations At The Bay in Pasadena. Mark’s youngest son, Michael, married his high school sweetheart after being together for over six years. This couple loves doing everything together. Their love of music led Michael to start his second year as an Instrumental music teacher at the new Nottingham Middle School. Alexis is finishing her Master’s in performance and singing Opera. Making his great grandparents Albert & Rose smile down from heaven, this young couple also works part-time at Maison Nord Gardens in Joppa, MD. This is a private garden with eclectic and experimental plantings. Congratulations, Michael and Alexis!

But that’s not the only recent celebration in our family. Just a few weeks ago, my cousin Jeanne Behnke Byrnes and her husband, Jim, along with their younger son Chris, traveled to Obermaubach, Germany to witness their son, Ian Byrnes, marry the lovely Lisa, who grew up in Untermaubach, Germany near Castle Maubach. It was a beautiful family affair, made even more special by the presence of Ian and Lisa’s daughter, Lya! Ian and Lisa met while working on their PhD’s in Norway, and they have now relocated outside of Oxford, England. While Jeanne and Jim miss them a lot, they are excited about their return in August for their Maryland wedding reception.

Last Sunday, the family all gathered together at the Blackwall Barn & Lodge in Gambrills, MD to celebrate my Aunt Ele Behnke’s 90th trip around the sun! Needless to say, she had a blast. It was held in a private room so we could all get up and walk around to visit each other. The buffet was magnificent, as was the company. Speeches were made, and memories were shared. Some of you might remember Ele from our Christmas shop days as she was the driving force behind creating the Christmas shop, which many remember. Married to my late Uncle Roland Behnke, who was also a former Behnke President, they were both such a big part of Behnke’s history.