Guanacaste · Costa Rica
Pura Cassie
A pool, a beach, a sunset, a very long dinner, a slow birthday morning — and everyone who loves her.
Sat 5 — Sun 6 September 2026
Saturday is the party. Sunday is the birthday proper.
Why we're doing this
Cassie talks to her plants and, as far as anyone can tell, they answer back. She'd sooner build the thing than buy it — then quietly build you one too. Every animal within a hundred yards finds her first, and promptly moves in.
She is, objectively, the kindest person in any room — and she'd argue the point, which rather proves it. Our family's North Star, and she's never once made a fuss about being it.
So we're making the fuss for her birthday. One weekend, one beach, and — for once — no say in the matter.
How the day goes
From 1pm
The villa, Playa Grande
Bougainvillea — all day, all color, no restraint.
Afternoon
Pool day and a barbecue
Everyone, all ages, in and out of the water from one o'clock on. Derek's on the grill, the pool is the whole plan, and there is nothing else you need to do until dinner.
5:30pm
Down on the sand
Evening primrose — opens at dusk, gone by dark.
Sunset
Everyone walks to the beach
Towels on, drinks in hand, five minutes' walk. The sun goes down around ten to six, and it's a slow, lovely thing.
7pm
Back at the villa
Frangipani — saves its scent for the evening.
Dinner
Sushi, pizza, cake
Sushi by Fern — $60 per adult, with veggie options. Everything else is on Derek: kids' pizza, champagne, beer, a signature cocktail, and a cake that arrives without warning.
Her night
After dinner
No end time
Night-blooming cereus — only opens after dark.
Late
Music, drinks, back in the pool
The part she'll actually remember. The speaker stays out, the pool lights go on, and the drinks keep coming. No end time listed, which is itself the plan.
Her actual birthday
Sunday
6 September
Coffee flower — blooms once, smells like jasmine, gone by noon.
Late morning
Champagne brunch
The birthday proper, taken slowly. We eat for a long time, say the nice things out loud, and then hand the villa back.
Afterward
A short hike back to the beach
Once we're checked out we're walking a small trail that comes out on the sand. Entirely optional, entirely her kind of thing — come along if the day's still yours.
Evidence
The details
RSVP
Tell Derek you're coming.
Just reply wherever you got this link — how many adults, how many kids, and whether you're team sushi or team pizza.
She knows about Saturday. She does not know about the cake.
