Great Nights Should Last Longer

Got your attention?
Where is this going, you might ask?

This last Friday must be classified as a great night.
Celebrating the birthday of our trainer was the occasion for the evening.
The weather conspired with the occasion.
Low humidity, a moderate temperature, blue sky and a setting sun allowed for the pleasure of outdoor dining, a rare treat in this town during late July, early August.
The crowd that gathered either “worked out” as a group, “alone” with the trainer or was somehow related to one of those in class.
We were all comfortable with each other and many have become fast friends.
The mood was light, the conversation easy.
A wide spread of ages was present but it didn’t make any difference.
We are all committed to getting and staying healthy and we are all being driven by this young woman that pushes each of us to his/her own personal goals and limits.
We all love her and the celebration was one small way of saying, Thank You!!!! even though the pain she delivers comes in so many flavors.
The orders for the most part reflected learned dietary restrictions.
Salads with salmon, chicken, veggie wraps----whoa, wait a minute where did those onion rings and sliders come from?
She eyes the culprit.
I don’t envy his next session.
The restraint was less apparent when it came to beverages.
The healthiest drink I saw on the table was a Pomegranate Margarita and it was only healthy because of the Pomegranate and the reported effects:

These studies indicate that pomegranate confers unprecedented cardiovascular protection by restoring endothelial health, lowering blood pressure, and protecting low-density lipoprotein (LDL) from damaging oxidation. Pomegranate also appears to suppress the growth of colon, breast, and lung cancer cells. Pomegranate even appears to shield against unsightly signs of aging by supporting the health of the skin’s underlying matrix.

They didn’t mention any added benefit from the Tequila although if you get the “worm” it is an added source of protein.
The rest of the drinks while “fun” did not confer any known health benefits.
As the sun went down, a the fire pit illuminated the evening.
The conversation flowed, the margarita glasses multiplied and then suddenly it all ended.
Bills were passed around, everyone said their goodbyes, hands were shaken, hugs tendered and then everyone gradually drifted off to their cars to return home or find other parties to attend.
My wife and I talked about the evening on the way to our own home (no more parties for us this night-remember exercise in the morning) and we had to admit this was one of the most pleasant gatherings we have attended in some time.
It always surprises me how circumstances ebb and flow until confluence occurs (usually around a special person or special date) mixing occasion, celebration, ambiance and amazing people.
These are the times and nights we all wish could and should last a little longer.