Surprise!!!

Wow, what a weekend!

So as you may or may not know, my birthday is next Monday...my 30th birthday. I've been thinking about this day for quite a while now and wondering how I'd like to celebrate. Big party? Go away on vacation? Something small and intimate? I couldn't decide! With Carlos' passing, however, I've just been feeling rather blah and decided that, more than anything, I would rather this day just pass and be done with. I'd probably go out to dinner with Bridget and our family and just be done with it and I'd be happy with that. Well, that all went out the window when I walked into The Beach House in LB on Saturday night and heard a collective cheer of "Surpriiiiiiiiiise!"

Let me take you back for a minute. I gave you the ending first in a pseudo-Tarantino style but let me give you some history. The last surprise party I had was for my 21st birthday. For some reason, I always enjoy telling Bridget how much I hated that party. Don't worry she didn't throw it for me. Truth is, I absolutely loved it. No matter how awkward that initial moment is of looking at all of the people there to celebrate YOU, it quickly subsides and you feel utter flattery. So, with that said, I've been telling Bridget ad naseum that a surprise party was the last thing I would ever want for my 30th birthday. Mind you, as I would say this to her, there was always that little voice in the back of my head telling me that I would actually love a surprise party. As a psychologist, I've learned that that little voice in your head can hold many truths, provided that it's not telling you to commit violence of course.

So Saturday night we had plans to go out to dinner with Jess and Josh. I was looking forward to going out to eat but nervous about bringing Leah with us. We've brought her out to eat with us a few times already but when other people are involved it's a bit nerve wracking. We took off for the West End, I dropped Leah and Bridget off at the front door of the restaurant, and went to look for a parking spot. If you are familiar with the West End you know that parking there can become a true test of your patience. After about 10 minutes, I was heading westbound on Park Avenue and saw a spot open up on the eastbound side. All of a sudden I pulled a Dukes of Hazard move, drove into oncoming traffic, and spun my "General Lee" into the vacant spot. All was well. I was met at the front door by Jess, Bridget, and Leah and was instructed that we had to bring Leah through the back of the restaurant because it was too crowded and they didn't want her coming through the front. "Odd," I thought, but went along with it (13 years in Catholic School will do that to you). We walked in and as I came around the bend the flash bulbs started popping off. Gasp. Take a deep breath. Release. ENJOY!

The party and after-party was absolutely amazing! It was perfect. Exactly what that little voice told me I would want. Bridget, I love you so much. Thank you for being persistent and making me feel so special. I have to say it again...the night was perfect.