Day 77 - I MADE IT!!!!!

April 24, 2016
Day 77
Hello!

I cannot believe it!  I made it through last night without a drink!!  I am so proud of myself.  I honestly didn't know what was going to happen because I was so tired of trying.  I didn't think I had it in me anymore...but I do!!!  I am so relieved...and happy!  I am sitting here crying because it is a major relief and I still can't believe it..that's how hard it was!  Here is a little recap:

On the car ride in to NY, it was a bit odd.  I didn't know that the the wife of the other couple had invited two of her best friends, her cousin and SIL.  I was definitely the odd man out.  While they were very nice, they talked about a lot of things that required knowing their family.  I tried hard to be that girl that I was when I was drinking....I would've had no problem insinuating myself into their conversation...whether they wanted me to or not.  The booze did that for me!   Then I realized...I am not longer that girl. I let the feeling of not being fully included sink in.  I sat there and listened and commented when I had something to offer.  They were all very nice but I was really left on my own!  And only the men in the limo drank!  I did bring a diet soda in the car with me so I wouldn't be tempted!

At the concert....the alcohol was readily available.  Anything you wanted except for AF beer.  Mr. Soberat53 even went to the bars in the venue to purchase some for me, and one bartender made a phone call and there wasn't one AF beer to be had in the entire place!  An arena that holds 18,000 people!!!  That is ludicrous!!!!!  So I stuck with club soda and lemon!

But the miracle of all miracles for me last night was that the wife of the other couple WAS NOT DRINKING!!!  I WASN'T ALONE!  For some reason that made all of the difference in the world to me.  A switch immediately flipped for me and I was able to enjoy the concert immensely.  This tells me that I need to hang out with more AF people!   And, I enjoyed my first concert without booze!!  Wow!

I ended up having a GREAT time!  Bruce Springsteen was just amazing!  I think it was the best Bruce concert that I've seen.  That man is amazing.  If you ever get the chance to see him...go!  He is 66 years old and just went right from one song to the next...no break and he played for over 4 hours.  I wish I had that kind of energy!

I woke up this morning feeling fantastic.  I thought of what last night would've looked like if I had been drinking.  It wasn't pretty!

And a HUGE thank you to Ripleybelle, Northwoman1996, Sobermummy and OneSoberKiwi!!!  Your comments got me through!!  You have no idea how much you helped me.  I am so very appreciative and grateful for you!!!

Today, Mr. Soberat53 and I celebrate our 28 year wedding Anniversary.  Another first....no alcohol!  This one, easy peasy!  (well, I hope so!)

Wishing you a day of success with not drinking!  Those "firsts" are hard!  But, doable..with effort and great support!

Edited to say:  I am crying so hard right now..happy tears...because one of the girls in the car just sent me a Facebook friend request. I know that's not a big deal at all, but I really thought that I didn't bring much to the table last night.  To know, somebody actually liked me (why else would you send me a friend request?) as the "real me."  The me without booze.  Maybe the "real me" is ok.

Love,
Sober at 53