jason turns 30

I was living in Chicago.  During the day, I worked in HR at a dull job at Blue Cross Blue Shield, where other workers came dressed in fuzzy slippers.  I tried unsuccessfully to change the dress code.  At night, I was in an MBA program at Northwestern.   I believe my 30^th birthday was spent studying.  It was March and the end of the trimester.  I don’t remember much more. 

around age 30

I doubt the same will be true of Jason.  

Jason turned 30 on July 7th.  On July 11th he got engaged.  And tonight , he is guest of honor at a birthday party thrown for him by his parents (Valerie, my sister, and Abbey, her husband).  57 people are invited and 56 attend.  That’s the kind of person Jason is.

My gift to Jason is to photograph the party, and then make a book of the photos.  I like that role, as it gives me a good excuse to meet people, and to always have something to do.  

The restaurant, Valbella, is a very hip place in the meatpacking district.  I wear a new tight black Wolford skirt with a white Wolford top and high heels.  By the time I arrive at the restaurant I hate what I’m wearing.  The top is see-through; I should never have worn a white bra, and the skirt is impossible to move in.  As I walk from the subway to the restaurant, I literally have to hold my skirt down on both sides, otherwise it’ll ride up to bathing suit length.  I need a nice colorful spring/summer dress.  Maybe next year.

My sister knows how to give a party.  There is a nice vibe, as everyone is young and beautiful and just starting life.  At 30, there is so much possibility ahead. 

The appetizers are many.  The champagne is excellent.  The décor is downtown-chic.  It’s the perfect place to turn 30, or any age for that matter.

Jason wants me to only take candids.  Abbey wants me to take posed pictures as “they come out best.”  He suggests I take table photos to insure I include all the guests.  Maybe I’ll be hired for Jason and Amanda’s wedding.

Alexander is a little bummed because he is sitting at the table with “the old people,” meaning with me, his aunt, uncle and other relatives.  He’s too young to be with his cousins, but is easily bored with the adults.

I had been doing well on my quest to lose my Cape weight, but blow it all tonight.  First I eat many many appetizers (crab cakes, mushroom something or others, lobster in puff pastry, veal meatballs, the hugest shrimp I’ve ever seen, and other delicious things I don’t even know how to describe). 

The tables are set with gorgeous orange roses, and the menu requires only that guests choose the main course (I choose a filet) and dessert (I get a chocolate soufflé with ice cream).  The rest just arrives:  two kinds of pasta, two salads (Caesar and beet), vegetables, and a piece of the birthday cake.  

There are speeches that elicit tears. 

It’s a beautiful, joyous night.  I am sure at 80, Jason will remember turning 30.