My birthday was last Tuesday, and there had been plans in the works for Zappo, DaveW and Mrs. Dave-Guy to come to Philadelphia to help me celebrate. (Well, a big part of it was for Dave and his wife to have a special get-away weekend. Dave just chose Philly so they could help me celebrate. He kept it from Mrs. Dave-Guy until they were on the road to the bed and breakfast he found here.)
Anyway, I thought that just having these wonderful friends of mine here to help me celebrate was going to be great. I couldn’t have expected anything more.
Until Zappo got here, that is, and told me he had something for me out in the hall. What he had waiting for me were two very, very special gifts.
Persephone and Eutychus. Two more of my closest friends on the planet, people I never would have expected to see in Philadelphia, in my apartment, on a Saturday night. They’d all been planning this (Dave, Zap, Verrain, Persephone and Euty) since January, when I was going through some severe post-Fest withdrawl. They managed to keep this secret from me for almost two months. I don’t know how, either, since I normally fall into surprises without meaning to.
I hugged them and I cried and I was just… overwhelmed. They knew I needed this, and they made it happen. I’ve got the best friends on the planet.
Thanks, guys, for making this a birthday I can never forget. (From my tiara to the rousing chorus of “Fish Heads” in the restaurant, to checking out our cute waiter. Y’all are the best.) I love you guys.
That’s ok, hon. I haven’t been around much lately, otherwise I’m sure a thread would have been started long before now. And thank you for the greetings, belated or not.
punha, if I’d been able to get you to run naked through Rx, that would have been a feat. And I’ll keep the Wild Turkey in mind!
Davebear, how much you willing to give me for 'em? They’re pretty dear to me, so they don’t come cheap!
rc, yeah, it’s been a bit of a hectic couple of weeks. We should still see about getting together some time. White Dog one of these days, maybe?
Persephone, you’re a big part of what draws our group of friends together. And how could I NOT have been so happy to see you? I just wish I could see you more often. I’d bring you banana bread every day, if you wanted it!
1ofthegulls, it really was. I consider myself incredibly lucky.
Tansu, thanks. Didn’t you wish me one over at Una on the day, though?!
Frank, thanks honey. It really was a great birthday. And if rc and Verrain and I get together at White Dog, think I can talk you into coming into University City?
Gorgon, that’s what you get for not keeping in touch with me or Dave or Verrain or Zappo! You miss out on all the fun stuff! When’s the next time you’ll be down this way? And thanks for the Birthday wishes. Even if it is a week late.
I was suffering withdrawal, too, so seeing all y’all was a tonic for me (and Mrs. Dave-Guy, who has decided that Zappo is going to be her boyfriend).
Three wonderful things all rolled into one weekend for me: finally having a getaway weekend with my wife sans kids, celebrating True’s birthday, and seeing some of my bestest friends in the whole world again.
Well, that certainly takes the pressure off of me.
But yes, I was only there for the one evening, but it was one of the best evenings I’ve ever spent. Good food, the greatest friends and Sal’s banana bread face.
There’s only one thing that could have made the whole experience better.
And I’ll keep the Wild Turkey in mind!