All I can think is... Should I have done  anything differently?

Sometimes I feel like applying makeup for 15 minutes brings me to the equal of a 20-year-old without makeup. Did I appreciate that when I was 20? Obviously not. But perspective comes with age, and 33 is just that: aged.

But I still love a wedding, and getting dressed in heels and something pretty is a great break from the same old, same old. Look good, feel good is my motto.

Naama texts she’ll be here in five. I take one final peek into the mirror, shrug, call out instructions to everyone, grab my clutch, and am outside just as she pulls up.

“Sarala is making a bar mitzvahhhh,” she singsongs, “in exactly—”

I swallow. “15 days.”

Naama slams on the brakes at a red. “Omigosh, really? Girl, that’s like tomorrow. Are you ready?”

Pressure makes me snappy. “Ohhh, was I supposed to be getting ready? And here I was, signed up for a Rosetta Stone learning Turkish.”

Naama snort-laughs. “You’re nuts. Come on, give me details.”

I sigh and try not to muss my sheitel. “It’s actually insane. I look around at how many men there are in the frum world, and I realize that they were all bar mitzvahed at some time or other. I now have newfound respect for all of their mothers.”

Naama cracks up. “That’s beautiful. Also, have I mentioned you’re nuts?”

The truth is, I’m really doing okay. Invitations have been sent out, and from the looks of the reply cards, my nightmare of my family standing in an empty ballroom can be discarded, along with my nightmare of the all the tables being set with rainbow-fish-scale tablecloths. I already picked up the gold leaf tablecloths, even though I have to pay more for having them longer, but I need the peace of mind. By the way, they’re stunning.

My dress and Rena’s dress are hanging in our closets, the boys’ suits are ready, and even Ari has a new hat and tie.

There’s just the small matter of the jewelry….

It’s not easy to be surprised by your spouse of 13 years, but when Ari sat me down and told me he’s been saving up to buy me something special for the bar mitzvah I was both shocked and really, really touched. Bar mitzvahs are actually super expensive. Who knew? But Ari has been saving — something my detail-oriented mind somehow missed.

Only thing… “Ari wants to buy me jewelry.”

Naama gasps. “Oh no, what are you going to do?”