🎩 Hats OFF, Heels ON, and Apparently My Throat Took the Night Off! 😂👠
A glamorous night at the Kravis Center celebrating the 10th anniversary of Hats OFF! 🎩 Roots and Wings earned an Education nomination, the hats were outrageous, Ted mastered the parking garage, and I accomplished the impossible—I stayed quiet! 😂👠
What a splendid way to end the day! Ted and I just got home from the Kravis Center, where we celebrated the 10th anniversary of Hats OFF, one of Palm Beach County’s most fabulous nonprofit celebrations.
And guess what? Roots and Wings was nominated in the Education category! 🎉
Did I think we were going to win? Well, let’s just say I wasn’t mentally preparing an acceptance speech. 😂Roots and Wings is still practically an infant compared to some of the nonprofit giants in Palm Beach County. We’re still learning to crawl while some of these organizations have been running marathons for decades!
But seriously, being nominated alongside such incredible organizations was already an honor. Congratulations to all the winners! The work being done throughout our community deserves every bit of recognition.
Now, let’s talk about the REAL competition of the evening.
🎩 The Kentucky Derby Has Nothing on Palm Beach County!
Hats OFF is basically the Kentucky Derby of Palm Beach County, except instead of watching horses race, you’re watching people balance architectural masterpieces on their heads.
The creativity was unbelievable!
Some hats were elegant. Some were outrageous. And some looked like they required a building permit, a structural engineer, and possibly FAA approval. 😂
The hat award went to Goodwill, whose table happened to be right next to ours. Naturally, I had to get a picture with the gentleman wearing the winning creation.
I mean, when someone walks into a ballroom wearing an entire art installation on his head, you don’t just politely look away. You document history! 📸
And while Roots and Wings didn’t take home an award, my outfit certainly received its fair share of compliments.
So technically, I didn’t leave empty-handed. I left with compliments, photographs, and the satisfaction of knowing my closet had successfully represented me in Palm Beach County society. 💃
I’ll take it!
🚗 Ted Deserves His Own Award Tonight!
Ted and I picked up our dear friend Richard to join us for the celebration.
But before we even entered the Kravis Center, Ted accomplished something worthy of its own standing ovation.
He remembered to park on the THIRD FLOOR of the parking garage! 👏😂
For those unfamiliar with this little Palm Beach County survival secret, the third floor connects directly to the courtyard outside the Kravis Center.
No elevator. No unnecessary wandering. No wondering where the heck we parked.
Honestly, I was so proud of Ted that I almost wanted to nominate him for the Outstanding Achievement in Parking category.
It’s the little things in marriage, people. The little things. ❤️
🤐 Aidalyn Was Quiet. Alert the Media!
Now, a couple of good friends noticed something rather unusual about me tonight.
I was quiet.
Yes. ME.
Apparently, this was concerning enough to warrant an investigation. 😂
I explained that I wasn’t feeling well, and talking too much would irritate my throat and trigger a coughing fit.
And knowing my luck, it wouldn’t be some delicate little cough.
Oh, no.
It would be the kind of cough that interrupts an acceptance speech, causes 500 people to turn around, and makes the emcee wonder whether someone needs medical assistance.
I figured the nominees deserved their moment without my respiratory system providing the evening’s special sound effects.
So I practiced something completely foreign to my personality.
Silence.
It was exhausting. 😂
😴 Beauty Sleep Is Not Optional!
Earlier in the day, we left the office a little early so I could get some rest before the event.
Things were relatively slow, so I told the staff they could head home too if they had finished everything.
See? I’m generous like that. Especially when my bed is calling my name.
As usual, I took my pre-event nap.
Some women prepare for a glamorous evening with champagne, professional makeup artists, and an elaborate beauty routine.
Me?
I need a nap so I can smile like I actually mean it. 😂
At this stage of my life, beauty sleep isn’t about beauty anymore.
It’s about preventing my face from publicly expressing my true feelings.
And speaking of beauty sleep, Ted had already woken me up at 7:45 that morning to get ready for the day.
Meanwhile, Mother Nature was having her own dramatic performance. It rained so hard that the streets were left with puddles and watermarks everywhere.
Apparently, Florida decided we needed a complimentary car wash before our fancy evening.
How thoughtful. 🙄🌧️
❤️ And That’s a Wrap!
Despite the rain, my rebellious throat, and the fact that we didn’t bring home a trophy, it was a wonderful evening.
I’m genuinely proud of Roots and Wings and how far we’ve come. Being recognized among organizations that have served Palm Beach County for many years means more than I can express.
We’re still growing, still learning, and still working hard to make a difference in children’s lives.
We may not have won tonight, but being in that ballroom as a nominee was already a victory.
Besides, I got to dress up, spend the evening with Ted and Richard, admire some ridiculously fabulous hats, collect a few outfit compliments, and witness my partner successfully navigate a parking garage.
I’d say that’s a pretty successful evening! 😂🥂
And now, if you’ll excuse me, these heels are coming off, my throat has officially resigned, and my bed is calling.
Hats OFF to all the winners, heels OFF for me, and good night, Palm Beach County! 🎩👠💋
