Night out

Last night we went out to a belated Christmas party. My mother was sitting and we expected to spend maybe three hours away. We attend this party (hosted by one of Katie's high school lady friends) each year and while I usually enjoy my time there, I never really have anything much to bring to the table as I don't have much of a history with anyone but the host and hostess whom I like a lot. This year was very different.

The party started out like a typical couples party. We talked about kids, napping, scheduling events, balancing work and family, etc. It was just like any other party where we are introduced as "EricandKatie" and everyone has their conversation revolve around family, work and kids. That changed eventually.

We met a couple that lives just a few blocks away from us and the conversation quickly changed to home improvement (equally suburban stereotypical) but a welcome departure from diapers, soccer and sleeping schedules. We had a great time sharing stories back and forth about projects we all did to our homes and the struggles within those projects.

After exhausting all stories, there were only four of us left in the living room and I had thought that the party was winding down. I was mistaken. The party was just hiding in the other rooms of the house. The four of us decided to move into other parts of the party and mingle. Katie and I landed in the kitchen near the kitchen table where the real party-goers were camping out around the hard liquor.

This maneuver was a game-changer. These people were a great time; not your typical attendees. They were city folk who are married and have children, but also know how to party. Not only were they partiers, but they were a hell of a lot of fun. Everything that came out of my mouth was like gold, Jerry! They loved every joke, every line. It was a great night. We ended up leaving sometime after midnight.

We arrived home to find my mother sacked out on the couch, having no idea what time it really was. That's great news, we were concerned we wore out our welcome. Hey, we don't get out much, give us a break. She made it home safely and we went to bed.