Eighteen months ago, we were planning a life celebration for a nonagenarian – an elegant lady of ninety years young. Then COVID changed the world and the celebration was postponed, and postponed, and postponed. That was until this weekend. Thankfully we were all able to come together to celebrate. And what a swell party it was!
Friday evening we gathered in a country hotel, all arriving at different times, all with various tales of the trials and tribulations of our journeys. Kisses and hugs exchanged. We began to relax into the evening, lots of catching up, lots of laughter, lots of ‘remember when’. The conversations went late into the night.
Next morning, we met again over a long and lazy breakfast. More chatter, more laughter, good times. Eventually we drifted away from the restaurant; some to explore new surroundings, some to do the obligatory bit of shopping, some continued their conversations over more coffee in one of the many lounges. Around noon, we were all back in our rooms, sprucing ourselves up for the lunchtime celebration, to be held in the hotel’s private dining room.
We were greeted with champagne at the door. The room was set beautifully. Balloons rose from centre pieces on the table. Flower arrangements, in a range of autumn colours, ran the entire length of the table. At each place setting, small party favours were placed; chocolates from a favourite chocolatier. Instead of a large birthday cake, three tiers of artistically crafted cupcakes were presented on a small side table.
Before lunch could begin we were ushered into the beautiful autumnal sunshine and into the garden for photographs. Inside once again and the hubbub of chatter continued. Until silence. Our meals were placed before us and we savoured. As the afternoon came to a close, the party girl herself gave a heartfelt speech. There was not a dry eye in the house. We were all so glad to have been able to be part of such a wonderful occasion.
Like Cinderella the morning after the ball, breakfast the next day saw us all readying to depart. A little sad but ultimately we were all grateful we had eventually managed to celebrate the milestone birthday of such a remarkable lady.