Girls' Night Out

There's nothing like a night out with the girls to put some life into your week. It's certainly something I haven't done often enough during my working years.

Probably the most fun I've ever had on a girls' night out was when one of my best friends turned 75 a couple of years ago. Her daughter sprang for a limo and tickets to Ogunquit Theater for a group of us.

We were to meet at a predesignated location, where we would be picked up by the limo, and then drive to the birthday girl's house. She would be properly surprised to see her friends in the limo, and then we would be whisked off to dinner and the theater.

Apparently the limousine driver had not been fully apprised of the plan, for as we waited in the parking lot for him, we watched him whisk by us and proceed toward birthday girl's neighborhood. My friends were waving frantically and shouting in an attempt to catch the driver's attention. I was still in my car, so I tore off after the limo, so as not to spoil the surprise. (They later said I turned the corner out of the parking lot on two wheels, but I think that may have been an exaggeration!) I did go flying after him with my lights flashing and my car horn blowing. I pulled up beside him, lowered my passenger side window, as he lowered his and yelled, "Pull over!"

He did stop. "Are you out of your mind??" he shouted. I suppose a gray-haired lady driving at breakneck speed, lights flashing and horn blaring would appear to be of questionable sanity. I tried to explain to him that he was making a mistake, and that he was supposed to pick up the group of ladies in the parking lot on the corner before proceeding to his destination. (I think he was stressed because he thought he was about to be the victim of a limo-jacking, so his sense of humor was non-existent.)

He followed me back to the parking lot while calling his office to verify my story. When he finished the phone call, he apologized for being so short with me, and we all climbed into the limo for the short ride to birthday girl's house.

Birthday girl was indeed surprised, and she and her daughter joined us in the limo for champagne, cheese, and crackers on the way to the restaurant. I had only ridden in a limousine once before, but this was much more fun. We pulled up to Litchfield's in Kennebunk for a fun dinner, with people looking at us curiously, trying to determine if we were famous. (By the way, I discovered this weekend that Litchfield's is closed and up for auction, but I don't think that is in any way a result of our party!)

We piled into the limo again after dinner for the ride to the Ogunquit Theater for a production of "The Full Monty." The show was wonderfully, hilariously funny--a perfect choice for the occasion. As the limo returned us to the parking lot where we had left our cars, birthday girl declared it was the best birthday she'd ever had... and I would say it was the best birthday party I've ever attended. I hope my kids are reading this and will keep it in mind for my 75th!