A Real Party

For the first time in three years, I went to a party.

Not a children’s party where parents helicopter playtime while standing against the wall and comparing whose child is the most “gifted” or has the worst case of Oppositional Defiant Disorder.

Not a “you-don’t-have-to-buy-anything … just-come-for-fun” bait and switch party.

Not a baby shower / horror birth story swap.

It was a real party.

Dinner was at an off-the-beaten-path Korean yakiniku 焼き肉 . The party – a combined birthday party for two of my friends, and two of their friends – was in an upper tatami room. (It was kinda sad to finally have an opportunity to wear my favorite satin heels, only to have to take them off at the entrance!)

The tables were traditional Japanese style, low to the ground, accompanied by elaborate green brocade cushions to kneel upon. Two grills were on embedded into each table, to cook plates of raw meat to preference – I like mine medium rare.

Daikon salad, sesame beef, and gyoza stuffed with kimchi and cheddar were served in hand thrown stoneware platters. Large glass pitchers of local, fresh, pulpy apple juice and Sapporo beer were refilled the moment they were emptied.

I drove Tom’s car for the first time. I thought it was best, being as he was singing merrily as we left the restaurant.

From there, we went to Big Echo, a karaoke place with private rooms. Ours was #13. All 20 of us sang every song as loudly as we could.

I wore a little black dress.

I drank foamy beer in a big thick sturdy glass mug.

I smoked a handful of cheap vanilla vending machine cigarettes.

I sang karaoke.

I smiled and laughed so much my cheeks hurt.

When we arrived home at midnight and, yes, my babysitter was paid handsomely for those extra 30 minutes, all of my children were still awake. I had to put them into bed myself, but it was so worth it.

Thankful for laughter. Thankful for friends. Thankful for babysitters. Thankful for a husband whom I can still have a superawesomefun time with, best friends even after 10 years of marriage.