"The Best of Times Is Now"

Once upon a time, a long, long time ago, and years before I was even thought about, Meme and Poppy met in a tall office building on a dark and rainy night in New York City. It wasn't love at first sight, but it was pretty close. And it almost didn't happen. She had an awful cold, but she'd promised one of her best friends in the whole wide world that she would come to help her move offices that night. As luck would have it, Poppy was the man who designed that office and he almost didn't drop by because it was a Friday, it was cold and raining and he just wanted to get home to his warm apartment.

But she did and he did and a few years later they were married on a beautiful Spring day in the church her parents were married almost 50 years before. They danced to the theme from "Ice Castles" and listened to the amazing lyrics of "The Best of Times Is Now" from La Cage Aux Folles. They sailed away on a beautiful pea green boat and the rest, as they say, is history.

We fast forward 25 years. To celebrate those many years of (almost) wedded bliss, Meme needed to find the perfect restaurant. Mind you, it feels like they've been exchanging gifts for months and for some reason not a blessed thing for me ... the dog who has brought them acres of happiness over the last 9 years.

Meme had seen a review of a restaurant called Top of the Point overlooking the Intracoastal and the Atlantic Ocean. She thought it would be perfect. Then one day Poppy tore an ad out of the paper so decision made! It promised magnificent views from floor to ceiling windows and to top it off the food was supposed to be really good. It's part of The Breakers of Palm Beach so how bad could it be??? So Meme made a reservation.

When friends asked that day what they were doing to celebrate, Meme told them ... Top of the Point sounded almost magical to her. They had to drive around the building twice to even figure out where the valet was, but somehow they managed. All this time, of course, I am again not included and left at home to listen to country music on the Bose. I don't understand why they think leaving music on fools me in any way. I know they're not here .... so who the heck's the music for?

Anyway ... this was not the time for a pity party for poor me. This was their day. They arrived on the Club Level (which I seriously think is the 13th floor because it was 12 and then "Club" ... hmmmmm). They were welcomed warmly and wished a very happy anniversary (yes, Meme had told them of course) and shown to a wonderful table for two by the window overlooking the Intracoastal, the city of West Palm Beach and The Breakers in the distance with the Atlantic Ocean beyond. Wow!

Tom served them and he was wonderful ... courteous, friendly and efficient. Looking back now Meme wondered why they were not offered a drink or a bottle of wine. They don't drink, but usually they are offered a hundred times so this was unusual and Meme was so happy not to have to explain that they reached their limit over 20 years ago and alas could have no more. All would be revealed.

The menu is wonderful and it was hard for them to decide between filet mignon, rib chop, swordfish/salmon/snapper, even meatloaf and lobster scampi, not to mention Duck a l'orange and more. They decided to share calamari, light and crisply fried and delicious, followed by pan-seared Sea Bass with lobster-mashed potatoes, spinach and roasted tomatoes with a light citrus sauce. Meme decided the fish was the best she's ever tasted. Poppy thought he'd skip dessert, but not my Meme!!! Noooooo ... so when Tom came back offering coffee she said "...and dessert, please". He almost insisted they order coffee first which she thought strange, but when in Rome. Soon after the coffee arrived and she was asked where Poppy was. Odd, she thought, but answered he'd stepped to the men's room.

Meme tries to be gracious when she's in a nice restaurant, but she wondered why they needed to know where he was? Anyway, he returned and relief spilled over the server's face. Then Tom arrived with the most amazing dessert Meme and Poppy thought they'd ever seen! There was a huge slice of decadent chocolate 7 layer cake with frosting literally dripping down the sides, there was New York style cheesecake and freshly baked chocolate chip cookies along with dark chocolate brownies, strawberries and blackberries! It was extraordinary! And Meme thought .... WOW! She'd never seen a restaurant come through with such a surprise. But Tom quickly informed her there was a card with the gift.

They couldn't think of who on earth would be so thoughtful. After all, let's face it. Anniversaries belong to the couple. Sure, maybe if you have kids together they come through with a nice surprise, but otherwise who???

They should have known. The very same good friend who introduced them over 30 years ago had arranged this from way up in Maryland. And it just made the night even more special than anyone could imagine. After dinner Meme took pictures of the view from the Top of the Point and in the car coming home she called her friend who solved the mystery. She had told the Manager that normally a bottle of wine would be in order but her friends didn't drink. Meme was really impressed they made a note of that.

This was a night of nights for Meme and Poppy ... a real milestone in their lives so I don't really mind too much I was left alone for 3 hours. They deserve to celebrate 25 years of being married, still loving each other, still having lots to say to each other ... still the owl and the pussycat "hand in hand on the edge of the sand, they dance by the light of the moon, the moon, they dance by the light of the moon."

And the words echo in Meme's head now and always ............

"Now ... not some forgotten yesterday

Now ... Tomorrow is too far away

So hold this moment fast,

And live and love

As hard as you know how.

And make this moment last,

Because the best of times is now,

Is now, is now is now, is NOW!"

'Til next time ...

Molly