What a night! If only there were times you could bottle the experience. But, I suppose we do - in our heads, right? We sat with lovely people who made me laugh until my sides hurt. Thank you gang! We watched people dance (including a cheerleader exhibition by Ondrea - also thank you!), and some try to dance (present company included). There were lots of photo ops and other things I WISH we could have captured on photos.
What you can't capture is life in Kenya. We arrived for a 6 p.m. start but weren't moved into the tent until around 7ish...it was at this point, that we discovered we had no table. We were first in line to buy our tickets, but our table number was somehow lost. So, they found us an "extra" table set way in the back. Meanwhile, the program began around 7:20ish, and the first part of the meal was served around 8:20ish. By then, I'd watched, with great appreciation, our young marines share cake with the eldest in the room, heard a former marine, actor and NYPD cop give a nice talk and stood in a 20 minute bathroom line. When I returned from the little cottage after standing in line for a bit, we were moved to another "extra" table much closer to the dance floor (our original table maybe?). At that point, we stood in another buffet line for dinner and I think I sat down to actually eat around 8:40. Any other day of the year, all of these things might have ruffled me, but as I sat with 3 other couples who are like fresh water to my soul, I was able to find my happy place and simply enjoy myself.
So, now you know what happened that night. But, I'd like to say to all of the husbands out there, "If your wife says, 'Is this the best gurdle for this dress?' please answer HONESTLY!" Since honesty was not the approach taken at my house, I'll only be featuring photos from the neck up. (after I upload them) Despite my gurdle and girth issues, I still had a great time. My friends were very kind, and I appreciate that. Thank goodness my self-esteem is largely intact.
