Mauricio writes...
Story 206 - "A "Sweet 15"
Birthday Party to Remember"
Mauricio writes...
Story 206 - "A "Sweet 15"
Birthday Party to Remember"
It all came off exactly as planned and dreamed about. With a bit more emotion and some surprises. For the better.
Marina, as I expected, was lovely in the designer gowns created for the big night of her fifteenth birthday.
The reception hall was decorated stunningly and in good taste. The guests – about four hundred – came in their formal finery, encouraged by the cold weather to display fur coats and even greater elegance.
A few preliminary arrangements concerning the choice and dosage of beverages served to avoid physical and social problems among the younger and more daring guests. The photographers and the press kept a low profile by acting more like invited guests than professionals. The music that set the tone of the party from beginning to end – with Marina's touch – was totally appropriate for the setting, the guests and the time in which we live. The buffet was impeccable, as was the overall catering service.
After receiving her guests at the door with her parents, Marina disappeared for a few moments to change her dress and then reappeared, resplendent, at the top of the stairway festooned with fresh flowers and tiny lights. And contrary to what she feared, she did not stumble on her way down.
Anyway, I was there at the top of the stairs when she appeared, accompanied by violinists, to lead her down to the center of the hall for the first waltz. And speaking of waltzes, to my surprise and satisfaction everyone danced very well, including my son Mauricio, who at the practice sessions had stubbornly continued to step stiffly from side to side.
The party was glorious.
With Marina blowing out the little candles on the three-tiered cake, her younger brothers beside her. On the other side, her older sisters and brothers applauding. (They could have stood beside their sister at that moment – the only slip-up in the ceremony.)
Oh, yes! And there were tears.
Not mine, because I managed to control myself, heaven knows how; during the reading of a special message that greeted Marina as she made her appearance at the top of the stairs.
Some of the guests, men and women, were deeply and uncontrollably moved. And at least two of the women guests, mothers of boys, expressed regrets that they would never have the pleasure of giving a party like this one.
The evening progressed without our noticing the time pass, with lots of good-humored playfulness by the younger set until the sun began shining through the large windows of the hall.
It was time for long good-byes... which hinted at the wish to stay a little longer.
And many did stay on for a few more hours.
Their parents, who had gone home earlier (some returned in the wee hours to pick up their children), came sleepily back to get them at sunrise.
I left after saying goodbye to the last hangers-on, the sun on my face, not feeling a bit tired, happy about the beautiful evening and filled with images and memories that will remain forever.
Marina deserved it. So did all of her friends. And we, her parents, are happy to have given her those moments of joy and togetherness with her guests and family.
It was worth it. As is everything we do with our children and for them.
More photos from Marina's 15th birthday celebration
(Click on a photo to see it enlarged)
Mauricio de Sousa
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