ladies nights

Midnight photo -- a ragtag group after laughing so hard we were crying-- The Office marathon 5/17/08

I do not know what I will do without my Cambridge ladies nights -- bookgroup, movie nights, enrichments, and a recent installment -- The Office marathon. Cambridge will always be a special place for me to remember the camaraderie of women -- where sometimes we throw back to the college days, sometimes we're a little more refined (bookgroup), definitely more worldly (read: married and at times, disgruntled at that), but most of all, we feel free to be ourselves. I was at first hesitant to join bookgroup -- thinking it would be too hard to make friends after being married. Cristie convinced me otherwise (and sometimes still has to coax me to leave the house), and I am so glad she did. You need friends at every point in your life, but at this time when Cort has worked so much, my girlfriends have seen me through. All I have to do is read the blasted book and I get to come (sometimes, not so much reading as sparknotes). Long live bookclub!

I remember being in Nicole's house in Somerville with the old group (and by old, I mean OLD), ordering Thai takeout and Liesl and I trying to convince our pregnant selves that Oreos had some nutritional value for our unborns. I remember being at bookgroup in Kim's house (that is, Kate's house that Kim was renting) laughing so hard I think I tinkled a little. Stacey's house where she made the most exquisite food -- richest chocolate cake ever, and chocolate-covered strawberries, saying farewell to Mary... for six months until they came back to Belmont (phew!). Dinner at the Cheesecake Factory with Cristie and sometimes a friend or two. The baby shower where Keith dressed up as a woman to gain admission to the festivities. Help me think of more, people! Baby showers, late night talk sessions, farewell parties -- they all gave me something to hang on to, a respite I knew I'd get at the end of the week, or the month, etc.

Admittedly, I always end up with a "girls night hangover" the next day -- don't worry, it's the non-drinking version. It's the one where I feel a little embarrassed, think to myself, "Was my comedy a little 'bigger' than normal last night -- and is that even possible?" "Did I really say that? I didn't really mean it. She understands, right?" But I refuse to apologize, because what is said at ladies' nights stays at ladies' nights.
fine print warning to not apologizing, exception: I do apologize to any of you reading this if I deeply offended anyone in the past, or relating to anyone in the group. I apologize if I offended a member of said group member's family, beit current family or family of origin. I apologize if I offended a member of said group's religious, racial, political or social affiliation. Also, do not take Annuale if you plan to ever become pregnant, as it may turn your baby into a firemonster. In the days around your period, you may develop a leathery tail.