Thank You For Your Frenchip

People blow me away. I am always so amazed by peoples skills and talents. Saturday night was one of those nights, where I was constantly amazed by the skills, kindness, talents, and creativity of others.

Our friends, Rubi and Stanton are moving away to Paris. We were invited to their going away party, thinking it would be a simple gathering of friends to see them off. But boy, were we WRONG! Their going away party was the most extravagant, creative, and fun party we have ever been to.

As we arrived at Ryan and Kimberly Simmon's apartment, we were directed to their rooftop. As we entered the roof top we saw clothing lines of 30+ stripped shirts. At first we thought their neighbors must have a thing for stripes, but then we were told to pick a shirt and put it on. After we put on our stripped french shirts, we were came upon a table full of black and red french berets and scarves. There was a full length mirror there so we could assemble out outfit and of course put on a french mustache.

As we came around the corner of our dressing station there was a dance floor constructed from PVC pipes, paper decorations, balloons, and lights. French music was playing with the back drop of giant blown up pictures of French tourist attractions and Rubi and Stanton's faces.

Tables with french food, desserts, and non-alcoholic french drinks lined the roof along with chairs that was were cleverly decorated with stripes shirts as well. Every little detail of this party was taken into consideration from the napkins with the Eiffel tower stamped onto them to candy cigarettes that were passed out to give us the "real" French experience.

(The amazing party planners who made it all happen. They are such a HOOT)

During the night we danced, laughed a lot, ate, and took pictures. A photo station was set up with the back drop of the Eiffel Tower and the moon. We had different props to work with such as a baguette, a French flag and a giant red balloon. We each posed as couples, individuals, and groups for Rubi and Stanton to have pictures to remember us by.

The whole night was a TOTAL blast. I can't remember the last time I had so much fun. I was in awe of the whole experience. Unfortunately these pictures do not due the party ANY justice. It was simply magical. It was the perfect party to see Rubi and Stanton off.

Rubi and Stanton are by far the most creative couple I have ever met. It seems as if they were made for each other, as they each see and experience life in such a unique way. Rubi is a VERY talented hairdresser and Stanton is a creative in the Advertising industry. In addition to their creative jobs, they always have something unique up their sleeves.

Stanton makes his own leather shoes and bags. Rubi is a skilled photographer with vintage cameras, you know the ones that use FILM. Film? What is that!

The list of their creative projects is endless from street art to photoboother.com (a website they created that transforms your boring digital photos into cool vintage photobooth strips). There are so MANY MANY more creative projects that they are always working on that they are always so humble about. I am always finding out new and interesting things about them, as they never "brag" about all their talents, even though I wish they would! There is not doubt in my mind that both Rubi and Stanton are "goin' places" in this life, because it seems that they have already "arrived" and have life figured out. The more I think about it, the more sad I get about them leaving. I wish had more time to get to know them and have them rub off on me a little bit more. They are truly an inspiration to others to follow your dreams and expanding the talents God gives to each person, yet, truthfully, it seems that God really gave them more talents than others.

No expense, time, thought, effort, or talent was spared when it came to see our friends Rubi and Stanton off on their was to France. The Simmons, who I do not know that well but hopefully will get to know better in the future, really went above and beyond in creating a night Rubi and Stanton (and everyone else) will forever remember.

Rubi and Stanton New York is going to miss you. France take care of them for us.