Have Your Own Darn Gala

She booked a trip to the blowout bar with a mani pedi chaser. Dug her HoneyLove shape-wear out from the back of the second drawer of her dresser and wiggled her way into it.

It was Gala Time.

​That love/hate time of year when she dolled herself up for a good cause and trekked out in the weather with her handsome husband. 

They arrived with other upstanding and beautifully coiffed couples from The Community to support a great cause. It was for The Kids. Or, for The Hospital. 

But really, it was for themselves as a couple. It was to remind her how he looked in a suit. To remind herself that he still found her beautiful when she “made an effort.”

It was to hear all the things from people she kinda knew, but not enough to really care about, but still good. 

The “You look amazing!” 
The “I love that dress.” 
The “Wow, great shoes.”

It was an invitation to be frivolous, fancy, and formal for one night. Gala Night. An institution of American married life. And it was cut short by coronavirus in 2020. 

Gala Night has been the so-called bane of many couples’ lives. But when you really think about it, without Gala Night when do you have an excuse to relive your Senior Prom and come home with a basket full of elegant cheeses and lovely but overpriced jewelry?

You know you miss it. Gala Night was the night for blisters on the back of your heels. Phony photos. Long winded speeches. And grown up sexiness. I miss it too. During COVID, Gala Night is gone. What’s a girl to do? 

My solution...have your own darn gala. Dress up. Get the COVID safe mani-pedi. Find something sexy to wear. Wash your hair. (I know, drastic. But try it.)

Get all dolled up for the non occasion. Put on too much Victoria Secret perfume and whatever dress or non-dress you want. At your own darn gala, you don’t have to worry about the shapewear, he already knows how you look under all that lycra.

Forget the shoes, too. Barefoot is better around the house. Besides, that way you can really show off the french pedicure you got on your naked toes. 

Figure out a sitter if you’ve still got kids. Call for takeout. Maybe ask him to put on a suit coat over his sweats. No rubber chicken, no too fancy dessert. Hit the Bonta gelato instead. 

Have your own darn gala and have a ton more fun. Take pictures, drink wine. Remember what it feels like to look sexy and feel sexy. You can always send money to your favorite charity later if you think of it.

And at your own darn gala, you can even go braless. Just sayin’...
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Make it a tradition.