The final hurrah!

This year's St. Patty's Day was chock full of corned beef and cabbage, potatoes, and green beer in 100% Chicago-Irish fashion. True to form, my colleagues and I crashed the annual J.F. McKinney/Clune Construction bash at Celtic Crossing (this justified, of course, by the fact that we produced the invitation).

But tonight's party spirit brought back a wave of nostalgia for what seems like a whole other lifetime. Three years ago to this day, I was celebrating the beginning of a new life. It was my "You're getting hitched!" party weekend in Miami, and my best girlfriends and I were whooping it up on South Beach. I remember exactly where I was, who I was, and more importantly – how I felt in that very moment, buzzing with excitement and glowing with anticipation for what lie ahead.

And so we five rocked our strange mix of bachelorette-wear, tiaras and clover bead necklaces to paint the Beach green ––

miami style quarter bus suntanning breeze hotel check-in happy hour sunset greek food plate smashing napkin throwing belly dancing opa! swinging from light fixtures guns & roses starry night rocking out pole dancing purdy lounging winding down fiery sunrise balcony view gold gilded mirror chocolate croissants coffee lots of coffee vip cabanas beach umbrellas seagulls white sand red bikinis red convertibles laffy taffy collins ave reflection pool blue skies shrimp ceviche fancy sandwiches giggle fit happy sunshine! ––

and to complete the picture of one of my very favorite moments in time...

The girls and I, minus Janell who is busy capturing this moment.
March 17, 2007