Thursday, January 31, 2013

Don't Miss It!

Long before social media, here's how young people advertised a party
at their parents' house. We don't know how many copies were
printed, but eventually we got ours.
Our flight to Florida hadn't left the tarmac yet -- March 11, 1989 -- but our party girls were scurrying about our Canyon Ridge home, getting it prepped for the "social event of the season." We had left strict instructions about what should be done in our absence, with an absolute prohibition of guests and parties, of course. No. No. and No.
Secure in the knowledge that our girls could be counted on to be left alone while we attended the annual Twins Spring Training workouts in Fort Meyers, we enjoyed a week in the warm and watched a spectacular launch of the Discovery shuttle as well.
When we returned home a week later with photos and stories, the house was as neat as a pin and our daughters seemed quite compliant and interested in our lives. We chose to believe our detailed instructions had been followed to the letter while we were away. 
Alas, only a week later, while doing some deep cleaning, a sheet of paper was discovered, tucked in the folds of the couch. The hand-written and photocopied invitation had been overlooked in the haste to tidy up after what was billed as "the social event of the season. Liquor, sauna, food, fireplace, fun provided!"
That was almost 25 years ago, but we retain the irrefutable evidence to this day, as Exhibit A in our parenting museum.