Derby Day

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Derby Day… possibly one of my favorite days, I almost want to call it a holiday! I absolutely love seeing everyone dressed up in fancy hats and dresses, and even the guys get into the theme with bow ties, hats, and colorful shirts. Tim and I usually go all out, but this year, with both of us working all day, it was all we could do to make it to the party, almost two hours late!

I came home, took a whopping four minutes to change, and off we went. Tim had a fancy shirt ready to wear, but it was so darn cold he couldn’t bring himself to go short sleeves, and who could blame him? The party, hosted by our friend Tammy, is always put together with incredible attention to the smallest details, from her themed dinner menu to the awards and prizes.

I usually plan my outfit months in advance, but this year I grabbed one of my many hats, threw on a dress, and called it sufficient. I do love a pink and green combo. I wore high pink strappy sandals that looked amazing… until the strap broke, leaving me in a pickle, for a minute. Thankfully, I had packed a backup pair of shoes...go figure! My Army son has a saying, “One is none,” and I hear this little motto in my head often. Being prepared with a second option has saved me more than once- thanks Chad!

I quickly changed into my pink flats, not my first choice, but at least I wasn’t limping around all night. I brought a giant bottle of prosecco and may never bring a regular-sized bottle again—the big ones are just more fun. And let’s face it, once you start pouring bubbly into every glass you see, even the big bottle is gone in a red-hot minute.

Our horse didn’t win, but the race itself seems to take second fiddle to all the fanfare of the day. In the end, it’s not really about the finish line, it’s about the fun you have getting to it, the outfits, bubbly, hats and a gathering with friends that I look forward to each and every year. 

“Too much of anything is bad, but too much champagne is just right.” — F. Scott Fitzgerald