moving away before best friend's big baby celebration

[aquaria127]

My boyfriend/fiance and I are moving to California on Aug. 1, and my best friend's baby's first birthday is sept. 24. ... In Hawaii the 1st birthday party is a pretty big deal (maybe it is everywhere else too?). However, we've been planning to move for awhile now and have already bought airline tickets.

 

My issue with this is how I likely won't be here to celebrate. She's disappointed, but wouldn't ever ask me to postpone relocating (though, we've postponed it enough already).

 

has anyone been in a similar situation? I just know it's important to me - after all I was there when she was born and I babysit when I can. Advice needed! Come back for the party anyway despite finances (boyfriend offered to help pay for ticket)? Send money or cool gift instead? or what? Thanks!

[bicyclejunk]

everyone has their own life to lead. We can't always make everyone

completely happy.

 

You need to do what you need to do with your fiance. I'd say go and

move and send a cute UNIQUE kind of gift when the birthday arrives.

If you truly do want to fly back for the birthday, i'd say that is very upstanding

and caring of you and ya know, i'd probably give some thought to going back

myself, if it were me in this situation, but you shouldn't feel obligated to do it.

Plane tickets are expensive, especially when your moving and just starting out in a

new place, so she should understand. Just send a nice gift.

[MWC_LifeBeginsAt40]

Invite them over for a small celebration before you leave and present them with your birthday gift for their baby.

[aquaria127]

that's really a wonderful idea! i could plan a nice and intimate garthering with close friends about a month from now. then later i can send a beautiful gift. she is such a wonderful child. thanks!