A Birthday Fit for a Diva

Maureen came bouncing toward me with her long dark hair flopping on her shoulders.  We were wearing matching purple sheep jammies with Big Sis and Lil Sis embroidery.  The smile across her face was a welcomed surprise to me during an otherwise gloomy semester.  It was September 2000 and I had a bad attitude.  After a sun kissed summer at home, I was back at Chi Omega.  The apartment at the sorority was cram packed with eight girls, my classes were grueling, and I was homesick.   

My Lil Sis changed all that with one big hug in our matching PJs.  Maureen and I spent the next semester engaged in hours of conversation and analysis.  With Mary Poppins playing in the background, we blared the gangsta rap and glorified our diva idol, Britney Spears. 

Our most serious conversations about religion or finances were punctuated with bouts of laughter about musicals and bi-ads.  More often than not, I would drift asleep mid-conversation around 5:00am, just in time to get up again for our 9:00am classes. 

Later in the day, Maureen and I reunited again at dinner before riding together on the scooter to the library.  A detour for 2:00am Burger Hut with our matching diva costumes: flip flops, Chi Omega sweatshirts, and Northface fleases.  Maureen’s diva personality had melted away my homesickness.  To quote the senior couch, Maureen transformed Chi Omega from a house to my home.   

  

On Saturday, Maureen’s daughter celebrated her first Birthday.  Taking after her beautiful parents, Maeve is a gorgeous baby.  Her dark hair is just beginning to frame her cherub face and striking blue eyes.  Of course, Maeve also inherited her mother’s nocturnal sleep patterns and vocal opinions.  Yes, our sweet Baby Maeve is also a diva.

With Maeve’s flare for the dramatic, it should come as no surprise that her first Birthday Party was filled with excitement.  On our way the party, the snow began to fall in inches around Kirkland.  By time we reached Monroe, the streets were covered. 

Pulling into Maureen and Vitaliy’s cul-de-sac, our giddiness over the snow had turned to genuine worry.  And our worries were founded.  Only five minutes prior to our arrival, another party guest’s car had skidded down the driveway and crashed into Maureen and Vitaliy’s garage.  This 1st Birthday party is starting off with a bang!

Inside, Maureen prepared an amazing party.  She paid special attention to detail with pink and green owl cookies, poke-a-dot accents, and tissue flower bouquets.  Hoot Hoot!  The food was delicious too: beef and veggie kabobs, egg rolls, fruit salad, cupcakes, and cereal tray for the kiddos.  And oh the kiddos!  Our friends certainly make adorable children: Dylan, Maddie, Brody, Coleman, Camryn, Brooklyn, Jameson, Emmett, and Ben.  Pictures of Maeve on the big screen reminded us of how quickly they grow.       

When it was time for the cake, Baby Maeve expressly declared her distaste for the song, “Happy Birthday to You” with giant sobs.  Through the commotion, Maureen simply smiled down on Maeve.  All the worries of the day vanished.  For a moment, sweet Baby Maeve melted away the snowstorm outside, just as Maureen has warmed my homesickness so many times over the years. 

Divas come in all shapes, sizes, and age ranges.  But, Maureen, Maeve, and I are three divas that own it!  Happy Birthday, Maeve!