I really, really was content with a quiet birthday celebration for my fiftieth. Lots of time with friends the day before my birthday, texts and phone calls from my kids, and a delicious dinner in a stunning setting with Mr. Fix-it had me feeling very blessed.
I would have stayed at the beach a little longer, but Mr. Fix-it was chilly (in retrospect, possibly a smidge suspicious).
It turns out that Grownup Girl--with help from The Pinup Girl who is a party thrower extraordinaire--and Social Butterfly were behind all of this (with a generous budget from Mr. Fix-it) and they rocked it completely. MVP and Mandy flew in from Chicago Thursday night, SB and her friends got up early Friday to drive home and they all chipped in on party prep and the transformation of the house once we were out to dinner. Danger Boy couldn't make it--the East Coast makes a turnaround trip like this a bit of a nightmare; he made up for it by texting me photos of himself and his date at a dance--so I did get to see both my handsome sons looking spiffy.
This video shows my shock and joy when I hit the light and saw 40 or so friends leap up from behind the bar, yelling "SURPRISE!" I believe the phrase "Oh, my god!" was on loop for about five minutes. I don't need a photo to remember in striking detail their faces looking at my face and them looking thrilled at my happiness. Seeing MVP and Mandy and Social Butterfly and her roommates and SB's good friend Nicole from UCSB was like icing upon icing on my birthday cake.
The Pinup Girl and her fiance bought a program that they will use at their wedding and set up a photo booth on a laptop; what you can do with creativity, PVC pipe, spray paint and fabric is stunning. The invitation will give you an idea of what went into this party. They had a dress and jewelry for me! The Mod, Mod world theme was incredibly fun.
I definitely partied like a rock star and went strong until about 1 a.m. The next day was brunch with Grownup Girl and Guy and his parents, an extended time doing nothing but watch from the couch as The Pinup Girl and her man and Mr. Fix-it put the house back together and then a burst of energy in which I got some of the laundry done and cleaned my bedroom and bathroom. All the young people spent the day at the beach-a wise choice since it was stunning weather--and then MVP made a pasta feast for us all and we ate and talked and laughed and ate leftover cake (it is deadly delicious).
Sunday was largely spent saying goodbyes, writing thank you cards and doing the happiest laundry ever--the sheets and towels generated by houseguests.
I really don't have the words to express what an amazing gift this was, but I think this text from a friend--the one that shot the video-- says it well.
I FELT adored and I also feel so proud that I had a part in forming these incredible adults who are my children. I am honored and blessed to have amazing, warm, fun, interesting friends who were made happy by making me happy. And this guy . . .