The Big 4-0

Joe's 40th birthday party was last night. He doesn't actually hit the milestone until August 22, but since family tradition has always been to celebrate on the weekends, we chose this weekend to throw the big guy a party. Well, a Mexican fiesta combo party with Mom, whose birthday is August 22.

Joe's been kind of in a funk all week. He has blamed it on this advanced training class he's been in every day and all the homework he's been slammed with every night. True, that does wear a body out, especially when you've got to come home to a full house of kids demanding attention. Still, he hasn't been himself. It makes me wonder what's going through his mind sometimes, if he's feeling that 40 sitting on his shoulders or if he's thinking that time is passing too quickly.

For anybody who knows Joe, I think it's safe to say he has never seemed older than your typical teenage boy. He's perpetually optimistic, willing to embarrass himself for the sake of a chuckle and is always talking about the latest video game or sports event on the horizon. And that's probably why I was drawn to him in the first place. He's my perfect balance, always keeping my pessimism in check, dragging me to activities I say I'm too old for and never letting me take it all too seriously.

On the gift list this year: a Guitar Hero '80s video game, some low-top *GO VOL* orange Chuck Taylors and a 40-ounce bottle of malt liquor (Thank you, Tracy Lee) in honor of the big day. And with every paper ripped open (or tissue pulled from the bag), he smiled a little wider and laughed a little louder. He loved every minute of it.

Before we decided just to do a family party, I was trying to decide what kind of huge shindig to have for him. I was calling banquet halls, thinking of how many people we would invite, food, etc. Finally, I just asked him what he wanted to do to commemorate the big day. He said, "Nothing big, just something at the house." I kept saying, "But it's a big deal. You're going to be 40," and he kept saying, "It's really not a big thing. Just something small." So I reluctantly decided we'd do it his way.

Last night, after everyone had left and he had cleaned the kitchen for the fifth time (Those of you who know him get that joke!) and we were heading to bed, he said, "Thank you so much for my party. It was just perfect." And I thought in my head how right he was. It was the perfect day for my perfect guy.