2012

I have to admit - things really weren't looking up here in Gloomington towards the end of 2011. And this time I'm not only talking about the weather. Our celebration plans and ideas were shrinking just like the availability of our scarce friends.

At first we thought we'd be invited to Sami's best friends' house. I wonder what could have given us that idea...aah, yes - the fact that we were invited there...at least until Dec 30th, when we called to check what was the plan and they told us that we're invited early, as they didn't want to stay up late. What? I was under the impression that on New Year's Eve you are supposed to wait until midnight. I wonder that gave me that idea. So, naturally, we cancelled and decided to use our organizational skills and swiftly make our own party.

We pulled out a piece of paper and started writing down our long 'friends' list. Ok, so sadly one of the couples were in Thailand, but there's plenty more. Right? Yes. The other couple - C's not feeling well, she'll stay at home and T. wants to go out. Hmm. ok. Now we're left with the couple of which we only know half, but what the hell - we invited them. Nope, they already had plans. And apart from all of our imaginary friends, all of whom attended, on the 31st we were left to our own resources. The three of us. So, naturally, my mood sank a bit, as I am just so used to the biggest parties on that day.

But then the New Year's miracle happened! It turned out that we didn't need anyone. Yes, it did take an amazing dinner of salmon with a special anchovi/rosemary sauce, a broccoli and Gorgonzola salad and some wine, but then and there we transformed our living room into a dance floor and dropped all of our concerns, worries and prejudices. Sami was unbelievably excited to be allowed to do everything - yes, everything he wanted to - climb on the tables, jump on the couches, throw pillows at us and most of all - dance, dance, dance! The music was so loud and powerful that it filled us with energy and the three of us just danced relentlessly.

The 'HAPPY' was unleashed and ruled our little party until 11, when (3 hours later than his usual bed-time) the little one and all the imaginary friends chose to go to bed. And I must admit - laying there in his dark room, telling him a bed time story, I barely managed to pull myself out of the swamp of dreams. But thankfully, in the other room was still ultra loud and helped me stagger out of my son's room (I just don't know how he managed to start snoring five minutes later).

Alex was dancing in front of the window and I lay on the couch. Was that it for me? I made one more effort to dance just 40 more minutes. And that was when the music grabbed us both and carried us right to our happiest place! It was a magical moment of meeting 2012 with Champagne and love!

Yes, this was the Happiest New Year's Eve ever! It turned out that all I needed was my best friends - alkA and Sami!

Hope you all spend 2012 with the right people and in the right place, for this is how magic happens!

Cheers