quinceañera

See that Eiffel tower behind them? That's the cake. It was all chocolate. Incredible.

Last night, Marcus, Alex and I attended the Quinceañera of the elder daughter of a friend of mine, Melissa. Melissa and I used to work together back in a past life, and I've known her daughter Maddy since she was 4 years old. My most vivid memory of Maddy is hoisting her up on Santa's lap at our company Christmas party.

And now she's 15.

I have to say, Marcus and I were both in a little bit of shock watching Maddy greet people so graciously, all decked out in her stunning Quinceañera gown. She was so beautiful, yes, but she was also so self-possessed. This wasn't a child we were looking at, here.

"Wait -- that's going to be what our kid will look like in 10 years??" asked Marcus, with more than a little fear in his eyes.

"'Fraid so," I responded grimly.