Tribute to Michael

I got lucky this weekend...not in the sense you think!!!  I was one of about 40 celebrants at the most amazing 60th birthday party I'm sure ever given.  Out in the scenic Connecticut countryside on the warmest day of the year, so far, my dear friend, Dee, was feted by her significant other, Michael.

Theirs is a fascinating coming together.  With their former mates, they sat in the same row at the local theatre, never knowing each other.  Their relationships ended about the same time and they happened to be sitting together with other friends at the theatre.  Michael's friend introduced Dee; they knew each other through law circles.  He called her the next day and the next and the next.  His enthusiasm smacked right up against her resistance.  He talks too much, he's way too ADHD, he's got a few extra pounds.  Michael? He sees not one flaw in this woman.  He adores her.  From Day One.

He totally wore her down. They both are well educated, accomplished in their respective fields.  Did I mention he's the most amazing cook??!!  How does that go?  A way to a man's heart is through his stomach?  And vice versa, evidently.

Her former husband carped about her weight (which was perfect), her style (not tight enough), her looks (he wanted her to wear make up to bed).  Just never enough.  You would think he was all that...which he WAS NOT!  But, Michael doesn't care if she wears clogs with her silk nightgown or curlers in her hair at the grocery store or forgets to put on her bright red lipstick, takes five years to decide on the living room color or nags at him a little bit.  He wakes up everyday with, "Good morning, my Venus.  How is the love of my life?"

Like I said, he wore her down with all that love and nurturing.  And, boy, did she need it!

The Party.  Whoa.  I arrived Saturday afternoon to a flurry of activity of party decorators and housekeepers.  I'm shown to my room, which is really a large gorgeous studio apartment in Manhattan.

I go downstairs.  There are manikins with Dee's high school prom dresses (perfectly tacky), fire engine red cheerleading uniforms (the beginning of her obsession with red but that's another blog)....one says CAPT on the lapel, no surprise there.  Blow ups of baby, toddler and grade school pix, the high school senior portrait.  Michael has compiled 760 stills into a 54-minute videography, complete with music from every decade.

Michael planned the menu...all hors d'oeuvres, many of which he made or orchestrated.  Just a sample here:
Asian egg rolls with sweet chile dip
Ginger sesame flank steak
Duxelles stuffed mushrooms
Crab cakes with saffron Aioli
Grilled baby lamb chops with jalapeno ginger jam

I'm not kidding....he's amazing.

The guests start arriving Sunday afternoon, everyone completing a name tag that connects them to Dee.
'Politico ally from the 80s, spent summers with our families on the Cape'

One was completely bizarro...'I am a Republican.  Bruises are from raw sex.'  OMG!  Dee says she's very nice, but she scared the be-Jesus out of me!  Let me find my Democrat friends.

Then, there were The Girls, Dee's friends from law school, great looking, high achievers, individualistic and funny as hell!  These are the words they sang to Dixie.

Oh, I used to frolic in the youthful garden (Now my arteries have hardened)
Look away, look away, look away, Sixtyland

Once I spent my days in copulation (Now, I cope with constipation)
Look away, look away, look away, Sixtyland

I wish I wasn't sixty
Oy vay, oy vay
I've tried hard to embrace it but I just can't stand that number

Lordy Lord above, oh please don't say I'm sixty!
Lordy Lord above, there ain't no way I'm sixty!

Verse 2:
Oh, my legs were limber and my feet were jumpin' (Now, my collagen needs plumpin')
Look away, look away, look away, Sixtyland
In a scant bikini, ooh, my bod was smokin' (Now folks say "You must be jokin'")
Look away, look away, look away, Sixtyland

I wish I wasn't sixty
Oy vay, oy vay!
I've tried hard to embrace it but I just can't believe I'm sixty

Lordy Lord above, there ain't no way to love it
Lordy Lord above, take this birthday and SHOVE it!

They brought the house down.

The party was perfect.  Easy to mingle, listen to everyone's story, delightful weather, food and drink flowing, a to-die-for yet very comfortable home.  We came to celebrate this beautiful, charming woman and witnessed a great love story.  You did it, Michael!  You got her and you are so worth it!!!