Last Wednesday, September 2, I turned 43 and celebrated another sober birthday. This is a typical family photo of nobody paying attention, but I love it. I started the day by buying my girls $20 worth of Starbucks on the way to high school since it was considered a special occasion even though I don’t even drink Starbucks. So I got swindled there but it’s ok. I cut across town about 45 minutes in the opposite direction to Debary, FL to attend the annual council level PTA breakfast. This year I am serving on the council level in addition to my President status at the middle school because I may be crazy. If you have read my post about my thoughts on the PTA then you’ll get it. It’s always inspiring to go to these events and listen to the higher ups give their speeches. The superintendent of Volusia Co schools gave a real good one about how important PTAs are and since I couldn’t agree with her more, I sent her a link to my PTA post as well. We’ll see how that goes if she actually reads it or not. After that was over I drove back in the direction of home and had an annual birthday lunch with some of my longest girlfriends who I also lovingly refer to as my Real Housewives, they spoil the crap out of me. Then I did school pick-ups and went to my favorite Italian restaurant with the family. The whole day was spent eating delish food and desserts and probably a gallon of Diet Coke. It was amazing. In the morning I looked at the Time Hop app photos from birthdays past and if pre sober Amy would have read all of the above, she would have been bored out of her mind reading that! I think it’s safe to say that September 3rd of every year was blocked off for a hangover. My birthday was always a reason to party and every few years I got really lucky when September 3rd landed on Labor Day. I have mentioned in previous posts that although I don’t miss a single day of drinking, it doesn’t mean they were all terrible. I had a lot of fun with most of those champagne toasting birthdays. A few even happened during a hurricane so Amy’s birthday + a hurricane party was even better.
On my 21st birthday, Hurricane Frances was headed directly towards our little beach town as a category 3 storm. If you are a Floridian, you know Cat 3 or higher is one you have to pay attention to. But I was turning 21 and I had waited a long time to order a drink from a bar, legally. On Sept 2, 2004 we were officially told to evacuate the beachside. We packed a few bags. Since I was only 21 there was nothing of actual value except for- the phone book. I sat down and called every bar on the other side of the bridge asking how long they were staying open. Our popular local sports bar, Houligans replied with “as long as they’ll let us”. We jumped in my 1994 Honda Accord and headed south on I-95. It was a smooth ride since every other car in Florida was on I-95 North getting out of FL. So we had the whole side to ourselves. When we arrived at Houligans very shortly after thanks to no traffic, we were greeted by all the young locals and the music turned all the way up. It was immediately announced that it was my 21st birthday and the shots started flowing. There were a few looks of confusion from one of the bartenders since I should have been 21 for at least a year at this point, but the place was packed and there was no time for questions. We’ll deal with that after the storm. Shortly after we arrived it was time to go since the city said so. Someone announced they knew one other bar was still open so we all jumped in our cars and went to Beaches. The song on repeat was “Shots” by LMFAO and we did as we were told, and took shots. The next thing I remember is waking up on my boyfriend’s mom’s couch where we evacuated to with about 10 other family members of his. There was no power and we were all “hunkered down” in the living room which was the center of the house. The wind was howling and it was dark. As soon as I figured out what where I was, the room started spinning and there was nothing I could do, I puked all over the couch and the floor. All of the shots were back and I was public enemy number one. My head was throbbing, I was so thirsty but the thought of drinking anything made me nauseous and I was SO HOT. There was no power for the next 5 days. Which is about how long that hangover, and my temporary roommate’s anger towards me lasted. If only that was the lesson I needed to make me not want to drink again but that was definitely not the case. I would go on to celebrate a lot more birthdays for the next 20 years, with shots and hangovers. I had an awesome 30th at my house that ended in fireworks and an amazing 40th spa weekend with my best girlfriends. Those have some amazing memories that I am thankful for but I am equally as thankful for the past two sober birthdays where I was fully present and well rested on September 3rd.
I am looking forward to what chapter 43 has to offer. There is a part of me that misses the carefree and wild 20’s. Low responsibilities and not much fear. I am a little nervous about certain things in current time. My oldest daughter will be driving this year. My middle daughter will be getting her permit around the same time. My son has started middle school. All events I know I need to be sober for and I am thankful for this opportunity to do so.
I am thankful for another year and thankful for all 42 had to offer. Do I reccomend a sober birthday? Yes, 10/10 stars. Here is the PTA link Let me tell you how I feel about the P.T.A. – Amy Annonymous in case you are dying to know those thoughts.
If I only knew then what I know now – Amy Annonymous and my “Thanksgiving people” post if you picked up on that breadcrumb I dropped.
Let me know what you think!