Par-tay

So this year we decided to host a small gathering for New Year's. I say small, I mean we invited two couples over. We wanted to branch out, you know, open up our home to a few couples that we barely knew. First, our logic was, no one with kids will want to try to get a babysitter or try to brave taking their kids to a late-night gathering. So first we invited a couple from our ward. James is in the Elders Quorum presidency with the husband, and I have said hello to the wife on several occasions. Then, we decided to invite our new basement renters who moved in that week. Needless to say, we didn't know them very well either. They'll be new in the ward, surely they would appreciate a little help making friends. So, great, we thought, we'll be doing a great thing, bringing all of us together.

But, being unaware of the intricacies of hosting such events, we neglected to consider the risk involved in doing both of these things: inviting only people we don't know well, and inviting only 2 couples. Doing one of those things would have been totally fine, just not both.

What happened is this. We had it all set up for 8:00, our kids' bedtime.

8:00 came. . . and went.

We had it all orchestrated like clockwork: the kids went down exactly on time, and we proceeded to set out the delicious chocolate-chip cookies I had made that day, some savory cinnamon bears, chips and dip, and some festive sparkling cider.

8:05. Any minute now. We are such great hosts.

8:15. . . . This is going to be fun. We are such good people.

8:30. . . .Nervous chuckles. . . Any time now. . .

We are literally sitting on the couch. Sitting. We start messing around on James's laptop. You know, make it look like we're doing something. At this point we know whoever gets there first will feel awkward because they are the first ones there, even though they're late.

8:40: Text message from couple in our ward: "Hey. Sorry we're late. Is everyone else there?"

Great. They don't know that it's only them and one other couple. They are going to feel really uncomfortable when they find out that they are half the party.

So James texts back: "Actually we just invited you guys and one other couple. they're not here yet."

They text back: "We'll be right over. We'll hurry."

Awkward!

Then we text our renters to see where the heck they are (they're just downstairs). James texts him: "Hey you guys coming? Want us to save you a beer?" You know, keep things light (especially since we had just gone over our lease, in which it specifies that there will be no alcohol consumption in our house, which was a little awkward to bring up with this nice couple).

He texts back: "We've been a little behind on our unpacking. We're just going to have an "us" night tonight."

So we realize to our chagrin, at this point, that when the other couple had texted to ask "Is everyone else there?" we could very well have said, "yep. the whole crew."

So, the first couple gets here at like 10 minutes to 9, and it is nice and quiet in our empty front room, with a nice table of refreshments that looks like it was made for 15. . . not 4.

There were a few quiet hours of low-key games, a few timid reaches for refreshments, and a few shaky laughs shared. And the night ended conspicuously at about 11:30 when they suddenly decided to "take off." Oh yeah, we were feeling pretty suave.

Sorry guys, we really didn't mean to put that kind of social pressure on your heads. Especially on new years. But, you pulled through for us. Thanks for making it not a total failure for the Ures. You brought a few games. You acted like you weren't hanging out with losers. That's all anyone can ask. Thanks guys.

Chalk one up to experience.

And if you get invited to a New Year's part at our house next year, we will be sure that we are either really good friends, or there are at least 3 couples coming, for sure.