Audrey's 50th Via the 80s

As unlikely as it might seem by looking at her, Audrey turned 50 this past weekend. When we pressed her for a party theme a couple of months back, she kept coming back to "Girls Just Want to Have Fun," which essentially meant an 80s theme. When I pointed out that this was also the theme of her 40th birthday a decade back, her reply was "So?"

So the 80s it was!

Both of her sisters made it out from Guelph and Rocky Mountain House, as well as two nieces and our nephew and nephew-in-law. Jenna has become an extremely proficient makeup artist and graciously offered to apply period eyeshadow and all the trimmings to anyone who wanted it, while Glory and her cousin Kara-Lynn were only too willing to assist with elevating everyone's hair. On Saturday afternoon, our kitchen went full salon in a frenzy of brushing, teasing, hair spraying and makeup applying.

Everyone turned out magnificently, I have to say, and they took advantage of the brief lull before guests arrive to take some pictures with the photo booth props we'd ordered for the occasion.

Kara-Lynn re-purposed Betty's grad dress from the period, while the cyclical nature of fashion meant that Glory found a vintage Kodak top at Forever 21.

Amazon provided shirts for Audrey and her sister Vera (and me too).

People started to show up a little after 4:00, and we got some of the new arrivals in on the goofy photo action as well.

Most people headed downstairs where the majority of libations and snacks were and checked out the 11-hour playlist of 80s music videos I'd curated on YouTube...

...but a few people remained upstairs to enjoy the bright sunlight and warm spring day.

Tara is a master elixir fixer and set up a few rounds of shooters including B-52s, Grand Exits and a new concoction Pete christened as simply "Deeelightful"!

And of course there was cake...

But the biggest emotional moment came when Audrey's son Bryce and his wife Sarah gave Audrey her card...

... to let her know that the baby boy they are expecting in July will have the same name that Audrey gave Bryce at birth, prior to his adoption by a wonderful family.

There is a lot more to Audrey's affection for the 80s than just nostalgia and funky fashions - it's the decade where she really established who she was, and I feel awfully privileged to have been there when she did, and to still be a part of her life, and to enjoy all of her families and friends too.

Happy birthday Audrey; don't stop having fun, and thanks for bringing so many of us along with you!