A party like in our day!

As long as I can remember, I've always loved summer parties: those moments when everyone lets loose, rosé acting as a social lubricant, when everyone drops their "self-consciousness," seeking only the pleasure of connecting to satisfy that need to laugh and release the pressure of daily life. I must say, I am the proud descendant of a family of party-goers for whom human relationships were very important, including those aunts and uncles who would show up unannounced and turn our dull afternoon into an impromptu party.

My parents and their families found joy easily! It was never complicated; there was always a jar of spaghetti sauce or a couple of dozens of hot dogs to defrost if the fun was kicking in and everyone stayed for dinner. I remember my mother completely letting her guard down when we were gathered. I remember special permissions, chips at any time of day, late-night swimming with the gang, and neighbors dropping by to join the party. There were never any decorations at these parties, no Pinterest-style frosted cakes, not even gourmet food, but there was a wonderful atmosphere: people who loved each other, teased each other, happy to be together, sometimes even someone getting thrown into the pool fully clothed.

I don't remember my aunts' houses being *spic and span* when they hosted us, and it seems to me that all those wonderful people were happy with just a case of Molson and a few bottles of Hochtaler! My cousins and I wore our everyday clothes and ended the day stained with popsicle juice, our knees green with grass, and no one cared. No one cleaned anything up that evening to go to bed with a clear head; they knew how to fully enjoy the present moment, my ancestors! I remember that the next day, aunts and uncles often showed up to help clean up the remnants of the night before. Everyone enjoyed recounting anecdotes and reliving the party, repeating what one person had said and what another had done.

In the age of Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest, of foodies, good beer and wine lovers, perfect parents raising children who must eat well, go to bed early, be well-dressed and stay clean, I feel like we've forgotten the essential! That by wanting to create the most beautiful party to post pictures of it on social media, we've forgotten that happiness is ultimately extremely simple. I sometimes experience these frustrations because I feel that by wanting to maintain this very "Pinterest" lifestyle, we are often too tired for the truly fun things in life.

Hosting certainly requires some work, but isn't it one of life's greatest pleasures? Opening your home to the people you love, making them feel truly valued, putting your life on hold to welcome them and have a good time, as if there were no tomorrow. That's what you'll remember in the future, unfortunately not your braised beef or your shrimp cocktail served in small spoons that you spent the afternoon concocting.

The true recipe for a summer party lies in a few bottles of rosé, 10 dozen hot dogs, a small pool for the kids, a ton of Mr. Freeze in the freezer, music, mosquito repellent, and the people you love. Easy, right?

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