I am not a party girl. In a past life, I was. In fact, I was an event planner early in my professional career and hosted dozens of parties, big and small.
But as an introverted, 54-year-old postmenopausal woman with social anxiety, I am not a party girl anymore. Which is why it feels ironic that I keep finding myself hosting party after party after party.
This time last year, I co-hosted a multi-honoree graduation party for 80 guests in Vermont. It was overwhelming and time-consuming, but my co-host was a rockstar and the party was a huge success.
In fact, every party I’ve ever hosted has gone off without a hitch … Until the one I was supposed to host this Sunday.
Twelve days ago, H called from Massachusetts to ask if he could host a dinner at my house for the high school lacrosse team he’s coaching.
By “he” he meant me, and by “dinner” he meant a catered event in our backyard for 80 people I didn’t know. Oh, and did I mention the event was supposed to happen this Sunday — just 15 days after I was first told about?
Of course, I should have said no.
Of course, I said yes.
As much as I hate parties, I’m good at throwing them. Plus, I can’t say no to my boys.
So I pushed everything else aside and started making plans. Creating lists. Crafting a theme. Designing a menu. Calling vendors. Buying supplies … I was getting shit done.
In just six days, I had found everything I needed and had signed contracts with a caterer, wait staff, a tent and table vendor, a porta-potty supplier, and a bunch of other people.
Then yesterday, H called me to cancel the event.
Apparently, the head coach had just informed him that most of the players wouldn’t arrive in time due to another tournament they were playing in in the days before the one near my home.
My first thought was, “Are you f*cking kidding me?!”
My second was, “Thank god!”
For someone who complains a lot, I do always try to find the silver lining when things go awry. And the silver lining here was clear almost instantly: I wasn’t going to have to spend hours making small talk with 80 strangers I’ll probably never see again.
I call that a win — and an introvert’s blessing.
There was a downside, of course.
In addition to all the hours I lost planning and organizing, I lost $1,200 in nonrefundable deposits, which sucks. A lot. But it is what it is. At least my new patio won’t be trashed.
See that? Another silver lining! They really are everywhere.
Now, if I can just survive the mess that will inevitably accompany H when he comes home to visit …😏
—LJDT
