What's Up Magazines

It all started with a note on my car windshield.

I got in my car to go to work early last week, and I saw the words MARY MAC in cut-out magazine letters facing me through the glass. A bit surprised and maybe a tiny bit scared (creative, friendly stalker?!), I opened the envelope to find an invitation of sorts. It read: “Mary! Make no plans for Saturday night! We require you at 6:00! Dress in birthday elegance. Further instructions to follow.”

Ok, way too friendly to be a stalker. I thought of my friends in town, which one of them would take the time to do something so fun and unique? Then, I thought of my co-workers, because the “Mary Mac” title is something I get most often at the magazine office. And- get it?- it’s written in cut-out magazine letters?

So throughout the course of the week I had fun thinking about who may have sent it. A second note read: “Marymac: Be out on your porch Saturday night at 6:00. Alone. And hungry. And well-dressed. Be prepared to party. We will come for you.”

The only ‘catch’ in my plans for a fantastic evening came when my fourteen year old reminded me: “MOM! You are supposed to be at the pre-formal party at 6!” Uh-oh. Saturday night was her first formal- the middle school 8^th grade dance is basically a prom rehearsal, complete with all the professional hair and makeup, dress and shoes, corsage and photos we’ll be dealing with at the high school come fall. There were pre-parties and after parties, and one of the pre-parties required my attendance in order to snap photos.

But how would I rsvp for an invitation whose origin I did not know? I pondered this with my daughter. “I know who it is,” she said. “I will email and tell them you can’t do it til like 7 or whatever.” An argument ensued. Did I really have to go to the pre-formal photo session? Couldn’t Dad go? I wanted to go at the designated time- plans had been made! The 6:30 compromise was quickly reached, mysterious emails were sent, and I ended up in front of the house (not exactly alone) taking pictures of my daughter and her friend (the makeup appointment ran late) and then jumping in the car with my three friends (in photo below L to R: Laura, Kara, (me), Kellen).

What a joy- to be whisked off to an unknown destination with no kids, no husbands (no offense!) and no responsibilities! I was thrilled. The night only got better. We landed at Scossa, an Italian restaurant in Easton where I had once eaten lunch (the magazine is laid out right down the street) but never dinner. It was HEAVEN. And I am not just saying that because the Grey Goose martinis- up with extra olives- were amazing. We each had different appetizers, entrees and desserts, and via a complex bread-plate-passing system, were able to try all of each other’s meals. Beyond fantastic. Really. I would run out of adjectives trying to describe the food- thank God I am not a food reviewer.

But the most surprising part of the evening was still to come. A gift materialized from under the table. I was shocked to see it- surely being taken out to dinner by these three cool friends was enough of a gift! But I was pleasantly surprised to open a collection of Mojito-making supplies. Mojitos, of course, being our new summer drink of choice. Now I would be able to muddle lime and mint to my heart’s content using only the finest in cocktail-assembling paraphernalia. Nothing is more perfect to drink by the pool than this chilled, minty glass of yummy rimmed with sugar. Mmmmmmmmm.

Anyway, I thought it was all over, and I was so happy and thankful about having these wonderful friends- and then the true shocker of the night came- they told me to open the birthday card. As I read the handmade card, my face went through a montage of expressions worthy of the most heart-wrenching of soap opera moments. These amazing friends of mine had given me a gift I could never have imagined. A full size vintage 80s Ms. Pac Man arcade machine has been something I have wanted since- well, since I used to visit the original in the King of Prussia Mall arcade in the 80s. I collect Ms. Pac Man vintage t-shirts, have the game in shaky-joystick format for our tv, and generally have been stalking true vintage arcade games on ebay since ebay began.

And believe it or not, our local Eastern Shoreman Sheriff Gary Hoffman actually rebuilds Ms. Pac Man arcade games as a hobby. Every time I see him, I ask about getting one, but was for some reason (well, the reason that my 4 kids keep liking groceries every week) have not been able to make myself plunk down the cash. And now, my vision of having a Ms. Pac Man arcade game before my 40^th birthday will become a reality. UNBELIEVABLE. Happiest birthday ever, for sure.

Ladies, you are truly the best.