The festivities began when I was still a youthful 39 years, 11 months, and 29 days. I'd hoped to go to New York for a girls' weekend for my 40th, but 'twas not to be (there's always next year!). What's the next best thing? A girlie evening, with a movie that epitomises New York! (even though it was primarily about Abu Dhabi, and filmed in Morroco. Minor points.) And what a fab time it was, even with the ridiculous movie. I thought it only appropriate to take my wedding Choos out for an airing, as we started with cocktails and dinner at Notting Hill's Electric Brasserie before travelling the 50 feet to the luxurious Electric Cinema (about all those shoes can handle). I'd never been to the Cinema before - and it's amazing, with wide armchairs instead of flip-up seats, and plush footstools. And tables in between each seat -- so you can rest the drinks you purchase from the in-theatre-bar. (A necessity, at least for this movie!). Fantastic Friday, and fantastic kick-off to the weekend.The next day (39+11+30) was no less fantastic, starting as it did with a Paige-less morning, as Ashley had taken Paige to his parents for the night. (wonderful as she is, it's also wonderful not to be woken by her at 6 a.m. on the odd occasion!). Of course, my body's conditioned anyway, so even after the 1 a.m. lights out, I was still up at about 6:15... but it was my choice, a real distinction. (Of course, just as I'd settled in to read the paper, Ashley & Paige returned home, perhaps a leeeetle earlier than I'd expected... ah well - I had a couple of hours at least).
OK, so far, so great. But the weekend was due to get much much better. Our babysitter arrived at 7, and off Ashley and I headed for a romantic dinner a deux. I was in heels AGAIN, which must be some kind of record for me, at least in the past 2 years or so. After a bit of a late start, and a missed bus-stop leading to a longer-than-expected walk (fortunately these heels were a little more comfortable than the Choos), we got to Chiswick eaterie Sam's a few minutes before 8. I followed Ashley and the waitress, thinking neither of the two empty tables she looked to be leading us to seemed particularly attractive, and scanning the room for better ones. I was just about to ask the waitress if she could seat us at the cute table I saw empty in the window, when... I was startled to hear a loud chorus of 'Happy Birthday to You'... to ME! In my search for a table I'd been completely oblivious to the fact that the waitress had actually been leading us to the large table in the corner filled with 10 friends. Of course, once I noticed this, I grinned hugely... and burst into tears. I rarely cry out of sadness these days, but happy emotional tears -- all the time.
What an amazing surprise. I was totally completely utterly not expecting it. My sweet romantic husband pulled off a pretty fantastic gift -- though not sure how he'll top it for my 50th! (he's got 10 years to plan, I'm sure he'll think of something.)The dinner itself was great, and full of chat and laughs and my repeated 'I had no idea. No, really, I had no clue. Really, really!' And of course a few more cocktails!
So of course by the time it got to my actual birthday on Sunday, that was a bit anticlimactic -- but I enjoyed opening cards, and a couple more presents, including a Mariners top purchased by my ebay mad husband, to match his own (so we can both share the misery of M's fandom I suppose). And after a yummy and messy brunch next door, I made some cupcakes to take along with me to my volunteering stint at the V&A, where Ashley and Paige came along to visit.
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