I was excited to see today’s Reverb10 post which read, “Party. What social gathering rocked your socks off in 2010? Describe the people, music, food, drink, clothes, shenanigans.”
“Wow,” I thought to myself, “this will be an easy one!” But just like all of the prompts that we have been getting from the team, when I actually take the time to sit and reflect, the prompt takes on a such a larger meaning and has allowed me to not only reflect on the past year, but years past as well. And today’s was no different.
This prompt took me down memory lane. From my first taste of alcohol at a High School graduation party, to my college years of dorm and frat parties, and partying every Thursday, Friday and Saturday…ok, make that Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, (Come ‘on, you know you all partook in “penny beer night” which always seemed to fall on a Wednesday :-)), and “clubbing” through our 20s, standing outside in the freezing cold for up to an hour just so you could get in to the “coolest” club! And of course, the partying continued until we had kids. But, even after kids, I desperately tried to hold on to my “youth” by continuing to go out and party. But I tell ya, it wasn’t so easy to come home at 2 or 3 in the morning and then put on a happy face when your baby wakes you up at 5 and is ready to eat or play. Just thinking about it makes me tired! It was great fun at the time, but I knew I couldn’t go on like this…eventually, I figured out that things had to change. Eventually, I came to the conclusion that the party was over…
Fast Forward to today. I am still partying, but in a different way. Now, I enjoy a nice glass of wine on our patio with my husband, a martini (or two), out at a restaurant with friends, and even a Friday night Happy Hour at the local family-friendly bar and grill with my kids.
So when I think about what social gathering rocked my socks off in 2010, it was actually a small birthday gathering that we had in our backyard. We love entertaining, and had gone through the whole summer without being able to because of a back-yard redo project that we had undertaken, and it was the first time we had friends over since the project had ended. It was a beautiful fall evening and we had candles spread all over the yard which made it look like a fairy-tale setting. There was light music in the background, and the inside of the house was all lit up as well. We catered the party so I didn’t have to cook (after all, it was my birthday!) And that night, we enjoyed good wine, good whiskey, good food and great friends. It was truly one of my best birthday’s ever.
So, this made me realize, just because you get older, that doesn’t mean the party is over…you just have to party in a different manner! And for 2011, I wouldn’t change a thing…
Until Next Time…Namaste!
From the Mouth of The Meem 
“good wine, good whiskey, good food and great friends” – ahhhh that good life 🙂 Really enjoyed your response, cheers! 🙂
Thank you! I didn’t realize you were in Scotland. We were there in Sept. for my husbands 40th, doing the whiskey distillery tours. I fell in love with the area – my favorites – Isle of Skye and Loch Lomond! So beautiful!
I’m from Australia but have lived here since 2003. Such a gorgeous country. Every time I’ve visited a distillery they’re never making anything! I hope your timing was better, hehe 🙂
That sounds like a perfect birthday celebration to me, too!