An Evening To Remember

You only turn 28 once (how is this possible that I’m 28?), so I thought we’d do it up right.  LL, and her magic domestic powers that she beholds, pulled out all the stops to make this a birthday I won’t soon forget.  With the help of a small army she transformed her dining room to a romantic, intimate atmosphere that embodied class and style.  Candle light, formal dinner settings, cocktail dresses, suits and ties, the night was fit for royalty, or at least movie stars. 

The setting:

The chandelier is handmade. The chair sashes are home sewn.

The centerpieces are handmade.

The napkins are folded by hand.

Can we talk about the Fran's Chocolates?  I about died when I saw these. Each table setting was set with a box of salted (grey or smoked) chocolate (milk or dark) thins.  The best chocolates on God’s green earth are made right here in Seattle and were at my dinner party.  At the head table was a box of salted caramels that I covet (I’m going to be repenting later for how much I covet them).  The last box I had lasted almost 2 months because I had to hide them from myself.  They were each as delicious as the first.  I often think the if Fran’s chocolates were a part of my final meal, I’d be that much closer to heaven.  Ok, I’ll stop.

You can imagine my surprise when I walked in.

Unbelieveable, really, I couldn’t believe it.

Shock and awe.

The chefs slaved away in the kitchen (in cocktail dresses no less) cooking a feast for the senses.

On the menu:

Mixed greens salad with Gorgonzola, almonds and vinaigrette. 

Entrée: Baked chicken, roasted vegetables and potatoes.  It was like heaven on a plate.

Dessert:  Orange Pumpkin Cake from Simply Desserts.  It will blow your mind.

While we feast on dinner we laughed and chatted.  And then laughed some more.  Until Susan started to cry. And then I started to cry.  I laughed so much my face still hurts.  Something about hot gluing shorts, pig costumes and pacifiers, childhood movies (Wild Hearts Can’t be Broken, Newsies, Cutting Edge, anyone?)

Then it was time for cake!

Oh c'mon! I have the lung capacity of a fruit fly.

I'm not even joking when I say this cake will blow your mind.  

But of course, the highlight of the evening was spending time with the greatest friends anyone could ever hope for.  

Resident photographer and fellow Newsies expert.

This fine young lady took the train up from Portland for the special occasion.  What a gem.

The hostess with the mostess.  If there was a word beyond mostess, she would be that. 

Acqua Di Gio and dimples. How can I resist?  Turns out, I can’t.

Stace and I: The triathletes

Susan and I:  It’s never a party until she laughs until she cries. I think it happened a couple times this night.

How do I have such a good looking group of friends?!

As my 27th year came to a close, and we kicked off my 28th year with class and style, I took a moment and thought something along these lines: I have never felt more overwhelmed by the kindness, generosity, thoughtfulness and service of others.  Throughout the day I roller coastered between uncontrollable anxious excitement to inundating teary sadness (why? I don’t know, it’s the crazy in me).  To see my friends together laughing, sharing stories, enjoying good food, and dancing filled my heart beyond a capacity I thought it capable of. 

I will never be able to sufficiently thank all those involved in the planning, crafting, cooking, decorating, clean up, entertainment, djing, etc. But please know, your time and energy did not go unnoticed and was not in vain. I love you all for it. My only hope is that one day I can be as good of a friend to you all as you are to me. 

Thank you to all for the many birthday wishes, lovely gifts, cards, text, messages, ecards, phone calls, gchats.  It is an honor and a privilege to be considered a friend of yours. 

27 was real good to me, 28 will be even better, I can feel it!