It's My Party... Well, Not Really

Colby's birthday is on Friday.  He'll turn 28, so of course I've been teasing him about how ridiculously old he's getting, because that is what I do every day of my life.  And so, this means that in three years I'll be crying over my 28th birthday dinner because, hey, remember when I was making fun of you for being so old?  Believe me, I can vividly remember poking fun at him at his 23rd birthday because oh my God, he was sooooo oooooold and it did not feel good when my own 23rd year rolled around.  What can I say, everyone seems old from the vantage point of twenty.

Anyway, back on topic, Colby's birthday.  Friday.  Twenty-eight.  We agreed at Christmas that his present would cover his birthday as well, since I spent my entire life's savings on his Nikon, so I don't have to stress about a present, but I am stressing a bit over what we should do to celebrate his big day.  Being together on his birthday is still kind of a novelty--I mentioned before that we spent his 23rd together.  We'd only been "officially" dating for a couple of months and I was thrilled when he invited me along to dinner with his parents.  I didn't start blogging until late 2005, so the memories of the 24th and 25th birthdays are completely lost to me (thank God for this website, I am continuously using it as reference material for my own life), on his 26th birthday we were on a relationship hiatus, and last year we were somewhere around Wyoming on our great trek across the country moving me to Washington.  So, what I'm saying here is that I'd really like to make some damn memories.  (And then write about them so I can remember them next year.)

And here is where the irony comes into play.  I love, love, love planning parties.  I do!  Planning my wedding was some of the most fun I've ever had, and I'm not exaggerating in the slightest when I say I would do it again in a heartbeat.  When I was in the Air Force, I was the go to girl for planning promotions, retirements, going away parties, you name it, I would happily plan it.  But the reason I loved planning these parties so much, was because I knew that there was a guaranteed group of attendees.  Outside of major life events, and parties for other people, I live my life absolutely petrified that no one will show up for my own parties.  This makes planning fun nights out and classy dinner parties at our house less than enjoyable.

I can't for the life of me think of what sparked this fear.  From what I remember, the birthday parties I had throughout the years were always well attended, and when I do get up the courage to host a party, the house ends up pretty well filled.  I may not know where this horrible fear stems from, but it is really crippling when it comes to planning parties.

So, anyway, I'm trying to get over this fear.  Really, I am.  I've been tossing around the idea of having a murder mystery party after we come home from Italy and before Colby heads off for his summer deployment, and I've been thinking it might be fun to have a pajama party with some of the other wives and girlfriends while all of our handsome soldiers are off fighting the good fight.  In the meantime, I've suggested Can-Can to Colby for this weekend, and told him that I'd drive so he can get liquored up if he so chooses, but I'm leaving the inviting of friends up to him.  And the nice thing about marriage is that even if no one else wants to come, I know that we'll still have a wonderful birthday celebration all on our own, and that there's always at least one person who is obligated to show up at my parties!

Comments

[Cat]

Oooh, I would totally come to your party, if I lived anywhere near you.

(See how I just invited myself, even though I was not on the list? I have no shame.)

[Fraulein N]

Sounds like fun. I've never actually thrown a party, but I know that fear too.

[Miriam]

I'm always terrified no one will come to my parties too! I pace so much waiting for people to arrive that I feel like I'm wearing down my carpet :)

[Operation Pink Herring]

Want to plan my wedding? You can start by picking a date and venue. Kthxbai.

I am terrified that no one will come to my parties, too.

[L the D]

Hmm, I'm usually just the opposite. No shame in throwing the party and inviting tons of people, but folks tend not to show up or stay very long. I've never cared, though, because I'VE always had a good time!

Seriously, New Year's last year? D and I hosted a party at his house since we couldn't do London or Edinburgh with the Munchkin. Two other couples came over (well, maybe three), we (read: I) got completely hammered on red wine and champagne, and had a BLAST. Even when people left at 12:30am to go home. My point here is that no matter who comes, you'll always have a good time because you're there with people you like and who like you. And we all know it's more about quality than quantity.

I do understand, though--everyone likes to be appreciated. And I'd certainly show up!

[katelin]

I worry about attendance as well, especially now that I'm getting older and friends are getting busier. I guess it just comes with the territory.

Anyhoo, I would come to Can Can, it looks like fun! :)

[Old Warrior]

Do you remember our "Murder on the Orient Express" party? The key to making a dinner murder party work is having somebody serve and clean up while you have fun. You can't play and host/serve.

[sophie]

I can't remember the last time I threw a party, though I guess the wedding counts a little bit. Good luck with whatever you choose, I'm sure it will be a blast!

[Cici]

I suffer from the same irrational fear -- although I guess it's not that irrational in my case because I remember years ago when I had just moved to a new place, it was my birthday, and no one showed up to my party... that was depressing.

[shani]

Wasn't that Brittany's birthday party that was the murder mystery? That was SO much fun, getting to dress up and all, and a great way to have a party for not a ton and a half of people!

[RisibleGirl]

Wow- Casey's birthday is Monday, and Jess' birthday is the following week. It must have been a very hot summer (oh wait, they're all different years...)

Hot bunch of summers then.

I'm keeping this party planner stuff in the frontal lobe of my brain. I might just have you help me plan that 30's themed party I want to have.

[simplypink]

I love planning things too. I'm at a point where everyone is married and they've all had their babies so there's not been much to plan lately. It is always scary to think of no one showing up....and eating all the food! :)

[Bre]

I'm a planner too! Tell Colby Happy Birthday, and I'm sure that no matter who is there, it will be an all out BLAST!

[Becky]

I always have that fear of planning something and no one shows up or they have a bad time, too. I don't know what it is. Then I remember that no one else hardly plans anything, so they're usually just happy to have something to do and someone to plan it for them:) I hope you had a nice time!