Kristin Tracy, with friend Susan Hewlitt, plays the ultimate host for a night.

By Jessica Norman

With a great sigh of exhaustion, Kristin Tracy fell into the comfort of her couch. The dizzying beat of ’80s tunes echoed in her clouded head while her feet, bare and nicely manicured, throbbed. Her champagne flute held only a drop of her staple sparkling beverage, the last remnants of magnums of Veuve Clicquot. She pulled the chopstick accessories from her hair and looked down at her black, embroidered Nehru dress. The satin of the Asian frock felt clean and soothing. It was the first moment of stillness she could remember in the past 48 hours. The low hum of her husband, Jay, and friend, Reid, in the kitchen and the sight of Susan curled up on the loveseat calmed Kristin. The last remains of an all-night party were Kristin, Jay and their family of closest friends in their Ames, Iowa home. Yet another RA-HEW-CY party had come to an end.

"Jay," Kristin yelled. "We’re going to need more champagne!"

For the Tracys, who live in a world of busy schedules and good intentions, it’s easy among friends to talk about staying in touch and getting together. It’s not always easy to follow through, especially when many miles separate them. Trent and Ranelle Ratcliffe now live in Denver, while Reid and Susan Hewlitt reside in Austin, Texas. But for more than 10 years, the Ratcliffes, Hewlitts and Tracys have gotten together with RA-HEW-CY parties, a name created by merging the couples’ last names. Two to three times a year, they find a way to escape to one place and celebrate their friendship. "It’s weird, we’ve actually grown to be better friends in the last few years than we were in college," Jay says. "Sometimes it’s hard to find couples you can travel well with and have a lot of fun with. When we’re together, there is always a good time."

Reid and Trent first met in high school, but it wasn’t until they met Jay at Iowa State University that they first sparked a friendship. Susan came into the picture when she and Reid began dating during their senior year in college, while Kristin and Ranelle married into the group a few years later. The three couples have sought excuses for celebrating ever since. "There’s a party every time we’re together," Susan says.

The excuse this time was Jay’s 32nd birthday. For Kristin, the event required meticulous planning. She mixed her husband’s penchant for good times and old pals with sushi and sake, his favorite treats, and an "Asian Invasion" theme. "I love throwing big parties, but I always pick a theme and I always have a dress code. "The dress code usually gets the guests involved and it helps break the ice," Kristin says.