A week ago today was my 65th birthday. Normally, when I was teaching, my August birthday fell on one of the first days of school, so finding time to celebrate was not a high priority. But this year, I am retired. With no school year to plan, I decided to give myself a birthday party. Or rather, I asked my friends to bring the party with them.
I created the invitation in Canva and sent it by text to about 25 of my favorite women.
All I provided was water and iced mint tea, a platter of fruit, and chocolate chip cookies my husband insisted on buying. (He wanted to buy a cake.) Each guest arrived with something fun to eat.
My friend Susan asked if she could provide the music. She played her harp in my entryway.
I should have had name tags because not everyone knew each other. There was lots of conversation. I didn’t stop smiling for the full two hours. I was surrounded by feminine energy (the best kind) and women who love me and genuinely enjoyed each other’s company.
I’m currently looking at my kitchen table full of cards and gifts that bring joy. Not only did these women make tasty party food, they also know how to give gifts with meaning and heart. I only wish I could’ve had all of you, my Slicing friends, too.
Reflections on the Teche 
Happy Birthday! I am also an August birthday girl (27) who spent many birthdays in the classroom, both as a child and an adult.
Thanks for sharing your lovely party and friends!
Happy Birthday, Margaret! What a perfectly lovely way to celebrate!
Oh my gosh, Margaret! What a special 65th celebration! I love that so many of these special women were available to come. I have an early August birthday, but there were some days as a teacher that I was in school on my birthday too. That food spread was awesome!
Happy birthday! I’ve always hated having an August birthday.
Happy birthday, Margaret! Great idea! I love a tea party!
Happy Birthday, Margaret! If I came, I would have brought my grandma’s cheeseball recipe and gifted you a writing journal!! I love that you had such a lovely party and even harp music! So elegant!
I love that! I should’ve asked that question at the end of my post.
Happy Birthday! Thanks for sharing about your most delightful and lovely party. I wish I could have been there, too.
A significant birthday and I wish you a birthday!
Anne Lennan Simon
District Judge, Retired
1705 Loreauville Road
New Iberia, LA 70563 Tel: 337 365-1382
Fax: 337 369-9397
Email:annesimon365@gmail.com
I love that you celebrated like this! What a fabulous gathering of women, food and music! Wishing I could have been there, too!
Oh, this sounds like a lovely birthday party. What a wonderful idea! 🙂
Wow, Margaret what a fantastic idea for your birthday party! Happy birthday! I’m happy that you celebrated with special friends, treats, and harp music. (I love harp music.) 🙂
I did this for my 60th birthday. i still remember every minute of it. such fun.
Oh, what fun! That’s a fabulous way to have a party – – and that harpist is truly a joy to watch. I like Sally’s question: what would I have brought? For SURE a peach cobbler, straight outta the heart of the peach belt a mile down the road from where I live. And it would have been hot with ice cream melting into the buttery top crust. Happy belated birthday, and I love this post so much.
Ooo, I love peach cobbler! Thanks!