Yesterday was my daughter’s 16th birthday.

Sunday I hosted “family birthday”. We have several birthday celebrations – family birthday, friends birthday, and day of birth celebrations. Family birthday is where the extended family comes to celebrate the birthday. Friends birthday is where the friends come. Day of Birth is just for our little foursome to celebrate the birthday. It’s a lot, I know!

I played menu Tetris to work for everyone’s dietary requests. For “Family Birthday”, my daughter wanted funeral chicken. That delicious casserole with chicken, egg noodles, and a buttery, cracker topping. My sister is a vegetarian, so I fed her a tortellini, broccoli, and Alfredo sauce casserole. I have celiac, so I made Jennifer Anniston salad and shrimp on the side. They had red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting for birthday cake and I had gluten free brownies.

I did not create a gluten free meal. I’ve hosted four events this season – two birthday parties, Christmas dinner, and New Year’s Day dinner. This was the first event that wasn’t 100% gluten free. I was tired!

I made everything in my little kitchen and didn’t get sick. The funeral chicken and tortellini casseroles were made in the glass casserole dishes. When the meal was over, everything went into the dishwasher on the longest, hottest cycle and came out clean.

I used to hem and haw about whether I should make their favorite gluten full meal or go to the restaurant without any gluten free options for their birthday.

I’ve come to the conclusion that I want to enjoy the company and celebrate my daughter’s birthday. I will eat when I get home or before going to the restaurant. Does it sting a little? Yeah, but this isn’t my last meal. I’ll eat again. She won’t turn 16 again.