I awoke this beautiful sunny Saturday morning with the knowledge that my girlfriends were doing something for my 60th birthday. All I knew was June 3rd-save the date-so I did. I was to be ready by 10:00. No time for a walk AND a shower and I wanted to look decent for this auspicious occasion. I wondered what they had planned. Curiosity reigned. I knew my daughter had been sneaking around, in and out at peculiar hours the last couple of days. Secrets were afoot.
I descended from upstairs to a foyer full of black and pink helium balloons. Did that pink pedestal plate sitting on the counter display chocolate croissants from our favorite Italian market? Indeed it did. I scarfed one down before I went back up to make myself beautiful. I don’t wake up looking like this you know.
Once I was ready I was whisked away in a bright pink limousine by a bevy of beautiful girlfriends . My marvelous mother and darling daughter were among the passengers enjoying this luxurious ride in the country. Lexie had purchased the most amazing pink champagne for our birthday tour. It was as bubbly as I was feeling inside and was the finishing touch to this lovely surprise.
What was I doing in this 25 foot car with all these beautiful and dear women and how was this all about me? How did I even accumulate so many huckleberry friends? The ride was decadent and fun and oh so memorable with black and pink leather seats and impeccably clear champagne flutes. A ceiling spotted with colourful mini lights twinkling like stars completed the picture. My first time in a limo BTW.
I’m usually the one planning the events and taking care of details and it was a dream to be the recipient not the planner this time. Being an amateur event planner I am fully aware of all the tiny details that go into making an event perfect and this was SO that.
After about 45 minutes of relaxing and visiting in the limo we arrived at our destination. The Azuridge estate hotel. I had never had the benefit of being there before and it was quite charming. My favorite part of the grounds was the light house building. We walked down the path to the entrance of the building and I was told I had to wait outside until everything was ready. A couple of the gals waited on the patio with me on this gorgeous warm morning. Next thing I know my son arrived on the scene with his camera and flip flops and began to capture memorable aspects of the days activities. He continued to preserve all the days cherished moments and I watched him with pride.
I was finally ushered inside and laid my eyes on a most glamourous and opulent table for 12. The length of the table was strewn with an exquisite piece of pale pink silk fabric. On this fabric, many vases of delicate coral peonies and other favorite blooms (that I recognized from the designer floral shop my daughter works at) were arranged. A brass candelabra took the spotlight in the middle and dainty cellophane bags with coconut macarons made lovingly by a dear friend and Lexie during an all nighter they pulled last weekend while I was out of town for the night. These were tied with pale pink silk shantung bows. The napkins wrapped with brass cuffs and a sprig of greenery were a subtle but beautiful touch. At the far end of the table was delectable looking coconut cake covered with pink ombré buttercream ruffles and more flowers. It was as elegant as any of the most inspirational weddings I’ve witnessed. Everything was amazing. Exactly what I would have done I thought to myself. That Lexie… a chip off the old block oozing with her own creativity and style. My heart wants to beat outside my chest.
The food we each ordered, from brioche french toast to crab cake eggs benedict, was melt in your mouth delicious. Once the empty plates were collected, to my surprise, each of these precious women took turns standing up to bless me. I was humbled and honoured to soak in their words of encouragement, friendship, love and, yes, praise. Who were these women talking about because I’d sure like to meet her? It can be very squirmy listening to friend after friend sing your praises. On the one hand you feel like something of an imposter because you know all the dark and deep wicked thoughts and mistakes that make up your own opinion of yourself while at the same time you are hoping and praying that this person they are describing would be the person your friends would discover in you.
My sweet friend, Roslyn, put together extremely thoughtful and fun swag bags of all of my favorite things to give each of the ladies. I know the amount of work and effort that went into that endeavor having done similar things in the past. From magazines, popcorn and Swedish berries to Jo Malone perfume, pink nail polish and Christmas music, she hit the nail on the head. There even were gorgeous pink Geraldine roses in each bag. She knows me well. Many of these women have been together with me through pregnancies and kids, all the way up to weddings and grandchildren of these kids. We’ve camped together, celebrated Christmases together, quilted together, prayed together, worked together, hung out in Hawaii together, walked in faith together and had deep heart to hearts over the years. Someone even pointed out that they’ve celebrated 40 with me, followed by 50 with me and now they were back to do 60 with me.
At this point my husband, my love, showed up for a cameo appearance to assist in chauffeuring all the ladies back to the city.
If the wealth of meaningful and authentic, encouraging and faithful friends is any indication of a life well lived then I think I’m on the right path. Even now I am amazed and surprised that this many women would show up for an event that’s sole purpose was to honor me on my 60th birthday. It is late now. In fact, it’s the wee hours of the morning as I reminisce about a glorious day that I don’t want to end.
I start a new season of life. I know I’ve given ‘becoming 60’ a lot of attention and airtime and now it’s time to move on. I’m not the first woman to turn 60 and I certainly won’t be the last. Some loathe the idea and don’t want to talk about it much less celebrate it. I guess I’m a little odd that way . I am just so relieved and grateful that I made it this far. Many don’t get this privilege. Plus I’ll use any milestone or excuse to celebrate life.
Life was celebrated today. Memories made. Friendships melded. Fun had. Pictures taken. Gifts shared. And now I’ll go to bed to dream about this special day – I’ll fall asleep counting my blessings.
The Red Plaid Apron 