It’s finally happening.  After two years, 31 men and over one hundred dates, I’ve finally landed myself a proper boyfriend to join me at the annual Hooper’s Island Black Friday Martini Bar Soiree.

I imagine we’ll look something like this.

For those of you who are just joining us, the Black Friday Martini Bar Soiree is the social event of the season on Hooper’s Island—mainly because the island has no real season and social events are generally limited to muskrat BBQ’s at the local fire station or emergency evacuations during hurricane season.

But no matter.  The Black Friday Martini Bar Soiree is one of my favorite holidays, second only to the New Years Eve Martini Bar Soiree.  (Are we sensing a theme here?)  It’s our family’s version of Thanksgiving (which we celebrate on Friday instead of Thursday because of my dad’s work schedule) and after dinner we play Taboo or light a bonfire and I always end up drinking way too much because I manage to convince myself that martinis are less calories than stuffing…

I haven’t had a date to Thanksgiving dinner since my senior year of college.  To give you an idea of just how long that’s been, I attended my five year college reunion this past spring.  FIVE YEARS!  Do you have any idea how long that is when you’re in your late twenties and all of your peers are either married or pregnant?

Trust me.  It’s a long time.

In fact, last year my brother and I and our honorary cousins (whose parents own a house on island just a few doors down from ours) made a pact.  We were all single at the time and even though I was sort of seeing both Date #7 and The Wedding Date, I was alone for the holiday and dinner was rather dull affair.

“We need to fix this” I announced as we cleared our plates.  “Next year we’re ALL bringing dates.  You guys got that?  All four of us.  We’ve got 12 months.  Get on it.”

As far as I know, my brother hasn’t made any real progress towards this goal, and I’m not sure about the neighbors but I am proud to report to I have made immense strides.  In fact, I’m not just bringing one date.

I’m bringing three.  The Wedding Date and his two kids.

I gather they’re less thrilled about this than I am (there’s no internet, and it’s a rather long drive) so I’m doing my best to load up on kid-friendly amusements for the evening.  How do feel about fireworks?