A few weeks ago we attended a Mardi Gras event put on by a swing website of which we are members. In 2009 we attended the same event, and then it was our first party of that type, a hotel takeover with a big M&G. Now a year later I was thinking of the differences on our drive over.

Last year we were soooo nervous. We knew a few people from just some brief meetings here and there and were meeting a couple for dinner the night before the event. Though we had some experience with other couples, we were apprehensive about meeting. We had no idea what to expect for the weekend.

This year, we arrived with the confidence that experience brings, and even had a small pre-party in our hotel room before the big Mardi-Gras event. We knew most of the couples in the room but also met some new faces. It was a blast to be able to host a party..would have been more fun if we all just got naked right then and there..but alas, we all had the big event to attend.

Btw, the couple we met the first time have become very good friends. They live 2 hours away so it's hard to see them often, but we catch up with them every few months. We even spent a few days at the beach with them last August. And of course we saw them again this year.