This past Friday I fell off the eating-right wagon.

I indulged in the sugariest of confections, allowed myself a helping of pasta, even snacked unapologetically on a late-night slice of pizza. I confess, I've done this and you know what - - I have no regrets. This being said, I will let you have a moment to "tsk, tsk," my behavior properly.

Go ahead, I've earned a moment of head-shaking.

Okay, now that that's out of your systems, I will explain why my relapse-ish behavior was - - this time! - - warranted. It was all for a good cause. As you might remember, I am amidst the whole calamity that is planning a wedding. And while my well-meaning fiancé can be an interesting character, the one thing I can say with ultimate confidence is he is giving me the best wedding present ever - - AMAZING new in-laws. Wonderful parents and step-parents, a brother-in-law and adding to my already-priceless collection of sisters, two sisters-in-law. While all of those folks are fantastic, it was the older of the two new sisters that made me super proud this past Friday, albeit making me a little over-loaded with sugar.

Despite having her last official day of high school Friday, when my soon-to-be-sister-in-law, (and subsequent soon-to-be-high-school-graduate,) Stephanie was cut loose that afternoon, she didn't go very far. Instead of wreaking havoc on unsuspecting Westchester residents, she and most of her classmates set up camp right on their school's campus. The philanthropic young attendees of Maria Regina High School in Harstdale, NY put their summer fun on hold to play host to the most noble of causes - - the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life.

With me as one of their willing chaperones, the girls set out to raise $35,000 by spending twenty-four hours selling home-baked goodies, dressing in their finest spirit wear (feather boas and all,) camping under the stars and doing innumerable laps around their track. The enthusiasm with which they created their teams - - each given cute titles like "The Pink Flamingoes," and "The Beach Bums," - - was something I never had in my high-school days, let alone my FINAL high school days.

But of course all this excitement came with a sugary price only this time - - I didn't mind paying.

I'll have you know that while I indulged in an especially pink serving of cotton candy, I shared it with the pal I brought to co-chaperone with me. And while I definitely contributed it to my team's earnings, I didn't indulge in any of their tasty treats. And while I might of raised, (ok, leapt,) out of my seat when the coordinators of the event announced pizza had arrived, I did my fair share of walking it off. Even though I had been lazily sitting by the sidelines, a moment came where even my over-tired self could sit no longer.

To really start the festivities, the Relayers invited the bravest, most inspiring folks they could find - - actual survivors of this miserable disease. I took part in the Survivor Dinner, as one survivor very dear to me was thankfully in attendance. But though I enjoyed myself a helping of penne ala vodka and an extra piece of bread, I was given the opportunity to walk it off. The survivors were invited to march an inaugral lap around the track as the other participants whooped, cheered and screamed them on, then we were all invited to join them - - an invitation I wouldn't have missed for the world.

Somewhere around this time, I asked Steph if her entire graduating class had showed up for the event. She said most of them had, and eyed a a friend who had lost her father to cancer only a year ago. After telling me the sad story, she quipped, "see, when you hear stuff like that, how can you not do this?" This child hasn't even officially worn her graduate cap and gown and will only turn 18 on the same night she celebrates her senior prom, yet this is the wisdom that comes out of her mouth.

With that, I purchased my cotton candy off a peddling high schooler, and took my spins around the track, laughing, reflecting and most of all hoping the whole way - - helping the girls earn the $35,000 they set out to earn. And earn it they did and then some, the final total was $55,000 all going towards erradicating the world of this useless murderer of a disease. Sometimes extra calories are worth it - - for the right cause.