Way back in the year 2000 I turned thirty and Matthew, then my boyfriend, threw me an incredible surprise party. It was at my aunt Peggy's loft in Williamsburg that was a fabulous space with an amazing view of Manhattan. It was filled with all the people I loved including my sister who hid in the bathroom and called me on her cellphone to apologize for not coming and then sneaked over and tapped me on the shoulder while the room watched. There was a disco ball, there were 3000 frittatas, there was booze, and dancing, and general mayhem into the wee hours. It was an amazing night that I fed off of for years. And I remember thinking then, "Jesus, what's he going to do for my fortieth?"
Well, he topped himself.
Back in November he started asking me what I wanted to do for my birthday. Most of our conversations went like this:
Him: What do you want to do for your birthday?
Me: Nothing.
Him: How about a party? A BIG party...
Me: No. That will really interfere with my sulking.
Him: ...A REALLY BIG PARTY...
Me: Not a chance.
I did not want to have a party. Even after he convinced me to go along with the idea there were a few times when I asked him to call it off. Thankfully he did not listen to me. This weekend we had a giant bash at my friend Emily and David's house. Almost all of our friends were able to come along with a good portion of my family (including my sister, who did not have to hide in the bathroom this time). There was a disco ball, there were 3000 sandwiches, there was booze, and dancing, and general mayhem into the wee hours. But Matthew, being true to type, needed a surprise element. And he thought up the one thing that I would never suspect: he made me a birthday blog. It was unveiled at the party and I couldn't believe my eyes. People had posted old pictures and had written about memories and even made elaborate videos (including my nearly 90-year old grandmother who doesn't even watch TV). There were many, many, fabulous haiku (including one that our friend Mike got his famous boss to record on tape). I stood there with my mouth hanging open reading and crying and laughing. I can't even begin to thank everyone for putting the blog together but I am trying. It was the greatest gift that I could ever imagine. It was the greatest night EVER. And Matthew has done the impossible. He's actually made me look forward to my fiftieth.
Oh hey! Happy birthday!
Posted by: Jill | February 10, 2010 at 09:32 PM
What a cool idea! But I'm getting a message that the videos are unavailable. :(
Hope your birthday was great! (And it sounds like it was!)
Posted by: Deanna | February 11, 2010 at 12:53 PM
I want you to have like a million more birthdays. That party was tops.
Posted by: Heather B. | February 11, 2010 at 01:36 PM
Deanna - that's because Blogger f-ing sucks. You'd think Google could handle such a simple thing as video delivery. That was my one teeny tiny complaint when he showed it to me. I was like "OMG this is so awesome! You used Blogger? Seriously? Okay, still SO COOL..."
Like it says, try again later. WHATEVS BLOGGER!
Posted by: LetterB | February 11, 2010 at 02:45 PM
I think we will need a biger house for the 50th--I'll start looking now. x
Posted by: emily | February 11, 2010 at 03:46 PM
This is super fantastic. V. impressive. Stick with that boy.
Posted by: Anne | February 11, 2010 at 05:49 PM
Happy birthday! Again!
Posted by: braine | February 11, 2010 at 09:24 PM
This makes we want to cry. Partially because Matthew did such a lovely thing with the blog and the party and partially because I COULDN'T"T BE THERE!!!
Love you though
Posted by: jenB | February 11, 2010 at 11:34 PM
I could see the videos today. Your grandma's awesome! :)
Posted by: Deanna | February 12, 2010 at 12:36 PM
Isn't she?? That one shocked me the most. Even more than Katie Couric.
Posted by: LetterB | February 12, 2010 at 12:40 PM
Wow, I am usually really happy with a card and a back tickle. Lucky girl!!
Sadie at heyMamas
Posted by: Sadie at heyMamas | February 12, 2010 at 03:21 PM