New Jersey Private Event Photographer | Life is a Beautiful Ride
Anyone that knows me knows the story of when my son was born. He came so quickly that there was no time for me to have an epidural. I was forced to give birth naturally. When the nurse told me this was happening, that he was coming and rapidly, I refused to believe her. Not because it's not what I wanted, not because I was scared, not because I was not prepared, but because I was physically incapable of pushing my body to its limit like that. I always said, there are three things I will never do in this life: I'll never climb Mt. Everest, I'll never run a marathon, and I'll never give birth naturally.
But I did.
I realized that day that we, as humans, are capable of so much more than we ever dreamed possible. No matter the difficulty, if we put our minds to it, we can truly achieve greatness. Not saying that I will be adding any Sherpas to my FB friends list anytime soon, but I will say that stories of people pushing their bodies to their physical limit fascinate me in a whole new way.
So, how does this all relate to a 60th birthday party? The guest of honor for this party and her sister were celebrating not only a birthday but a huge accomplishment. These two women just completed a cross-country trek...on bicycles.
They literally dipped their bicycle wheels in the Pacific Ocean and then weeks later, in the Atlantic Ocean.
Unbelievable, right? Makes popping a kid out without any painkillers seem so trivial, climbing Mt. Everest so cliched, running a marathon, child's play.
As a part of America By Bicycle, these women completed this journey and had the tanlines to prove it (see below).
Having never met this family before, the moment I stepped into the GLORIOUS Union League of Philadelphia, I became a bit intimidated. I spend my days cleaning up mac and cheese stains from my carpet, I find humor in trapping my dog in a flatulent dutch oven, and I am about as far from prim and proper as it gets. I was a wee bit the fish out of water. But then I started talking to the guests. More importantly, I started eavesdropping on their conversations. It seems these people, in their gorgeous dresses, and dapper suits, and exquisite wines are much more like me than I expected. Let's just say I'm not the only person who enjoys scatacological humor. In fact, I would share some of the stories I overheard...but I prefer to keep this blogpost G-rated. I will tell you, I had a raucously good time!
Also, my other favorite part of the evening, besides the off-color stories and the wonderful personalities I got to encounter (I met a cowboy!), I was absolutely in love with this family's love for each other. As the birthday girl's ebullient and stunningly beautiful daughters gave a tribute to their mother, I was moved by the love in the room. I think my favorite part was the sharing of stories of their mother's affinity for wildlife. Before the party, her daughter told me she grew up with dachshunds, but after hearing that tribute, I am beginning to believe that "dachshunds" may have been a euphemism for a pet falcon and quite possibly a hawk.
Their family is just that cool.
Just an amazing night. And check out the cookies that were used as favors for the guests! They were designed by the niece of the birthday girl, and let me tell you, as a cookie aficionado, these were some of the most spectacular I have ever seen. I may be calling on her in the future, because they were some impressive confection!
Comments
It is the 85 year old, who was 7 weeks out from a hip replacement, who has taught us all to 'keep moving'! Thanks again for being there!