There is
something very special about the first year of life. All of the milestones,
memories, and love all seem to explode onto this new being in our lives. Thus
celebrating the completion of this first year should be grand- whatever you
decide to do. For my family it is always a big party with many loved ones
invited to celebrate this special occasion. As such we arrive at our
destination, my baby cousin’s first birthday.
This blog
isn’t really about her birthday but rather the venue it brought me to. I had
not planned on doing anything but visiting and enjoying the company of my
family, some in town for just a short visit. But after being there for about
thirty minutes and realizing how many things I had opinions on, I decided I had
no choice a blog had to be written.
The
venue, Stonebridge Country Club, is on the Eastern end of Long Island and
doubles as a golf and country club. When we pulled up there were some very
attractive men driving nice cars going out to meet their playing partners. The
building sits on top of a landscapers dream. It is more than a golf course. The
vegetation sets the scene for the atmosphere once you step inside. I would have
been happy to sit in the enormous chairs in the lobby all day. It was serene
and beautiful.
Stonebridge
is a family favorite and there have been several other parities here although I
was not able to partake. This visit marked my first time. I learned
that a recent renovation had created these amazing top to bottom floor windows
that surrounded the room we were in. The hard wood floors looked to be a
blackish/brownish color and I want them in my house so bad I considered cutting
out a small piece to take with me as a sample.
Everywhere
I turned there was another sparkling aesthetic. The beauty inside definitely
matched the outside. The best view was from the party room, which overlooks the
simple, natural grounds. The staff was very complementary and not overly
involved, two very good qualities.
Stonebridge
has partnered with Lessing’s Food Service, created in 1890, who now provides
catering to over eighty venues for an array of affairs all throughout the
Northeast. The menu here was simple providing a number of breakfast and lunch
items served buffet style. This allowed for a much more fluid party where you
were free to eat, chat, and dance whenever you felt compelled to. There was
never any rush or sense of urgency; you weren’t going to miss out.
But the
showstoppers were the DJs from All Star Party. I have never been to another
kid’s party where the DJ was more involved or qualified. The music was a bit
loud for me but because of the layout of the room (with bar off to a smaller
room on the side) the noise wasn’t bouncing all over the place. Better yet
there were no flashing lights- my migraine brain’s permanent nemesis.
While
they were only a team of two they had the talents of a team of ten. They did
more than play the music, they were face painting, making balloon animals,
hosting dance contests, and serving up cotton candy. The kids in attendance
were having the time of their lives. Their attention was held and everyone was
listening. You would have thought it was their birthday party. As promised they
do in fact bring the party to you, all the while entertaining you as they go.
When it
came time for dessert we were in for extra special treats. Surrounding the
cake, on the same table, were numerous pink sprinkled Dunkin Donuts in the
shape of “1”. The kids, the birthday girl included, enjoyed those most. I even
think they stole some of the cake’s thunder, nice as it was. As the big moment
arrived, the candles were lit, and we all moved to the front of the room. While
we sang and her parents blew out the candles, my cousin scanned the room, seeming
to take it all it. She didn’t cry, didn’t get any cake or icing on her, she was
the perfect birthday princess.
Until
this day I had not met the birthday girl and I was amazed how fast a year went.
I felt like it was just yesterday when her mother was nine months pregnant and
we spent an evening at another family celebration counting down until she
arrived. Now she was on to her second year of life. It goes so fast.
I find
that the more of these events I go to like this, the more important I realize
they are. Even if the child will not remember it (although she will now have
this post to look back on), those in attendance will. You will remember
gathering with loved ones and taking a moment to celebrate the new life that
has become a part of our tribe. I can’t wait to see who this quiet beauty
becomes.
I have to
say for me it was an honor to meet and celebrate with the delicate, now one
year old, Ms. Juliet.
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