I turned 50 years old in January… and am still celebrating. Most women cringe at the thought of being a half-century old but I decided to embrace it and milk it for all it’s worth.
The partying began back in early November, nearly 4 months before my actual 50th birthday. Four of my closest girlfriends, all University of Michigan-Kappa Alpha Theta sorority sisters, also turn 50 this year so we escaped to Veronica’s family cottage on Walloon Lake in Petoskey, Michigan, for a weekend celebration.
We had an amazing time looking at old photos, watching chick flicks, shopping , eating, drinking, and laughing until we cried.
Round #2 of my 50th birthday celebration was another girls getaway – this time to Judith’s beautiful beach house on Lake Michigan in Holland, Michigan (I really know how pick my friends!) Janine and I took off work early on a Friday to drive over and meet Judith and her boxer Bam at her “beach hut.”
We had spectacularly sunny and warm December weather which made for great beach walks, followed by long soaks in the hot tub and of course, more laughing, eating and drinking.
For my actual 50th birthday -- January 30 -- my husband flew me out to meet him in Las Vegas, where he had some business meetings. John met me at the airport with roses, booked a fabulous suite at the Aria,indulged the foody in me with ultra-gourmet dinners every night,
treated me to a fabulous spa day and essentially spoiled me rotten. The highlight of the trip was a wild and crazy dune buggy adventure in the desert.
Now by this time I’m feeling pretty partied-out, but my Dad and sister Suzy are demanding a celebration of their own. So, I oblige. We chose the Red Ox Tavern to host my fourth 50th birthday fete because they have an awesome shuffleboard table.
(While most families in the ‘70s had ping pong tables in their basements, we had a shuffleboard table). I got beat by my 11 year old son but it comforts me to know that I have passed along my love-for- shuffle- board-playing gene.
It’s now been several weeks since my last 50th birthday party…and I’m looking forward to the next one! I’m also feeling really grateful to be surrounded by amazingly generous and loving people, and I think this is what I learned the most about turning 50.
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