Friends Celebrating Friends

For twenty-six years with American Airlines I ate my meals from a flimsy tray balanced haphazardly on my lap while enjoying the view at 37,000 feet.
Only after retiring as an airline pilot did my schedule allow me to discover the pleasures of dining with my earthbound friends - girlfriends - and usually at a table. 
It was a wonderful way for me to transition from "one of the boys" to "one of the girls."

And I certainly appreciate sharing a meal with someone other than the autopilot.

Two nights ago, on a cold snowy night in New York, was one of those special moments.
I went to a fun filled surprise party for my friend Lynn's 60th birthday. 
Even though there were only about 20 guests all crowded into a tiny Upper East Side restaurant the celebration was spectacular.

Nichola, the birthday girl and Caroline

The mixture of old friends, brand new friends and young friends from my daughter's Brearley School class of 2004 filled the space with non-stop chatter and laughter.  I loved seeing bunches of women here and there enjoying the moment and each other.

Truly, the best part of the evening for me was knowing that it was Lynn's daughters, Nichola and Caroline, who organized the birthday bash.  To begin with they chose a cozy space that probably measures only 12'x20' yet somehow they managed to squeeze in a long L-shaped table. Then they decorated the table with white linen, votive candles and red kalanchoes in shiny silver mint julep cups.

Nichola in front of the wall mounted menu.
The food was of course French.

The hint of red was echoed with red bandanas given to each of the party goers along with French berets and moustaches applied with black eyeliner all leading up to the ultimate birthday gift - A TRIP TO PARIS FOR THREE!!

  OOH LAH LAH!

I am always inspired by the creativity and imagination of my friends, their children and family with the ways they celebrate a special event or even a day.

In The Day of Pooh, Pooh suggests he visits his friends to wish them "a very happy Thursday."

The childhood favorite may seem silly, but I agree with Pooh.  

Any excuse to be with friends is a good excuse and any time is the perfect time!