When it comes to birthdays, many people are of the mindset that denial is the best policy. However, I am of the opinion that that is stupid. We have no control over the passage of time. Time passes whether we acknowledge it or not so why not party? This conviction is one of the reasons I never let Jason’s birthday go by without a whoopty doo. He’s supportive of my whoopty-doo policy since he loves his friends and rowdy get-togethers with them.

This year, I decided to throw a bowling party for Jason’s birthday in a private four-lane suite at Jupiter Bowl in Park City. About two dozen buddies joined us for this pin pig out. We had the room for three hours but, thanks to all our yakking, those in my­ lane only made it through one game and part of another. No, it wasn’t my fastest bowling or my finest for that matter; I was too distracted. To be honest, I’m not even sure who amongst us won. The distractions suited Jim though; he bowled five strikes in a row. I don’t know if that has an official name but I’m going to call it a turkey sandwich.

Food was served periodically throughout the night. I’m glad I requested that it be supplied in stages; it would have been way too much all at once. A selection of cheeses, dried fruits, and crackers awaited our arrival. An hour later, crab and corn fritters with basil aioli, tempura shrimp with yuzu-soy dipping sauce, curried cauliflower tempura, and Jamaican jerk chicken skewers with pineapple salsa were all brought out. An hour after that, we sang happy birthday to Jason with chocolate-hazelnut-banana puff pastries and vanilla ice cream topped with five-spice poached pears in a port reduction.

It was an ear and pin-splitting night. Thanks everyone that came to celebrate my fantastic man! Time passes but I don’t see why that means opportunities for great memories need to be passed up as well.