Yuri-chan otanjyobi & Ryan kun ikkyu!

About six months ago, a few friends and I  met up for dinner. And then we did it again...and again. It just sort of happened organically...a merger of two sets of BFFs coming together. The three of them are all from Japan, so I am the token (dumb dumb) American that can't speak Japanese, but whose English isn't any better than theirs! Hahaha.

Recently, we came together to celebrate a very special birthday for Yuri-chan. She's so sweet and demure, that it was difficult convincing her we had to so something a little more special for her big day. I have realized that although I have an amazingly diverse and fierce little tribe of people that I consider good friends, that I am very much someone who prefers getting together one on one. 

I rarely if ever, meet up with friends as a group unless the OG high school besties are all in town for the holidays. Otherwise- I will walk with Aliah, Deanna, Stacey or Leeanne, I will run with JoJo, Ragni or Yuri. I will dine with extended family.  I will see Hiroko, Ayako, Maiko when the kids hang out. I will get to see Eme and Tessa once in awhile, when we're able...but I almost never, ever gather in a group. Which is...interesting that I never did. But now, I guess I kind of do...and it's been nice. Like there is strength and support in numbers? 

The evening started with appetizers and drinks at sunset...

Then some entrees (bad lighting thanks to that awful sunset view). ;-)

The first round of dessert was a key lime key and low key 'Happy birthday' sung in breathy whispers as nihonjins don't like attention... And yes, she looks 19. 

The second round of dessert was some strawberry shortcake from Peaberry & Gallette back at the house with the kids, Rich and Ryan. Legendary stuff, if you didn't know. And I know...booooy, do I know. Fluffy vanilla layers with strawberries in whipped cream...just heaven on Earth.

The little tribe. 

A few days ago, Master Ryan received his third level-brown belt ranking...which means he is a single belt ranking away from a black belt. He's been going to karate since he was 7, so this is quite a prolonged effort/sacrifice on his part. We are very grateful to this instructors as well.

And because I'm  the type of parent who goes all out with a meaningful, planned meal celebration to mark the occasion, here's what he had after the ceremony:

Yes, that's right! Irish food. From a real restaurant. Cooked with the main ingredient of love.

Tomorrow is the first day of high school for my boy! He has a challenging schedule ahead, and I am both nervous and excited for him, but mostly grateful that my formal education is behind me. So much anxiety that first day- figuring out where your classes are, if you know anyone in the class, gauging how nice the teacher will be, trying to find your friends at lunch...ugh. Not my cup of tea, but he seems to be excited since he met a few nice kids during the freshman summer program he's become friends with. So hopeful my son will have memorable (in a positive way) high school years...can't say mine were wonderful or awful. Somewhere solidly in the mediocre category, which I imagine is actually the overwhelming norm/majority?

Happy End of July, folks. My other BFFs birthday is tomorrow, and we celebrate my 48th trip around the sun a few days after that...so it'll be another fun week. ;-)