My husband is the master of surprises.
Little Surprises
Before we were married, Don would often surprise me by taking me to dinner and not telling me where, or he'd show up with a little gift now and then or flowers or chocolates (only once, because I accidentally let slip a few months later that I really didn't care for chocolates - oops!). I've been thinking about the surprises that were the most memorable for me. I will share a few.
A Welcomed Night Out
When we had three pre-schoolers, Don called me one Friday afternoon, suggesting I dress up nicely for an evening out. Such dates were rare for us, living on an acreage and being mostly short of funds. On this particular occasion, he had arranged for child care, then took me out dining and dancing at a lovely venue in the city. It was just what I needed to feel special and connected to the world again! Definitely a deposit our emotional bank account!
A Tropical Vacation
My sister and her husband always spent two months of the year - November and February - in Hawaii. I remember sitting with them at the airport for coffee before seeing them off one evening in November. Wistfully, I remarked how wonderful it would be to go with them since we had never been. My sister simply smiled and said, "I'm sure you'll get there one day."
"Hmmmph," I thought. "Easy for her to say."
We saw them off and went home to bed. When I got out of the shower next morning, expecting to go to work as usual, there were two suitcases on the bed. Don informed me that we were going on a vacation. I balked. "We can't go away! I have meetings scheduled today, and lots to do. I just can't go!" Apparently he had spoken with my manager who had approved my time away. Don told me we were going to L.A. where he would teach at the technical college, while I'd sit poolside. From the time we got to the airport until we got on the plane, I was on my phone making last minute changes to my work schedule. I had paid little attention to any of the goings-on around me as we checked in and boarded the plane.
As we taxied down the runway, I heard a male voice. "Good morning, passengers. This is your captain. Welcome aboard our flight to Honolulu."
I turned to Don and asked, "Did he just say 'Honolulu'?"
"I think so," he replied.
"Oh, well then we must be stopping in L.A. on the way," I reasoned.
"Maybe," he said, unable to keep a straight face.
My eyes became saucers as the truth dawned on me. We were going to Hawaii...Wow! It actually took me a bit to come to terms with being airborne for 6 hours rather than 90 minutes. Once I adjusted, the excitement built. I was impressed with Don's ability to manage this surprise so well. What a memorable vacation!
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| Tropical Wonder |
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| Off Oahu's West Coast |
A Bavarian Village in Winter
Ten days after we arrived home from the above-mention Hawaii vacation, again on a Friday morning, I got out of the shower to find two suitcases on the bed again. This time, he told me to pack for a cold climate.
"You're kidding."
"Nope."
"You can't keep doing this...your taking over my life."
He just smiled. I phoned my work 'buddy' who had already arranged (Don's influence once again) to take over my duties for the two work days I'd be away.
This time, Don and my best friend had planned to surprise their spouses with a trip to Leavenworth, Washington just before Christmas - lights and carolers everywhere, snow, decorated shops and the delicious aroma of roasted nuts in the hotel lobby. It was magical weekend!
A Special Car
A few years later, shortly after I had been promoted at work, I received a call at my desk. Don explained that our daughter Kelly, was missing her much-needed sunglasses. She was quite sure she had left them in my car. They were a few minutes away. Could I come down with the car keys?
When I walked into the parking lot, my car wasn't where I thought it might be; I started second-guessing myself about where I'd parked it that morning. We looked around for a bit, then Don said, "There it is!"
"What are you talking about?" I asked. "I don't see it."
"That's your car!" he said. After a few moments of 'deer-in-the-headlights' look, I finally clued in. He had replaced my 'old' car with a partially restored burgundy 1980 BMW 5S, with standard transmission, sunroof, lovely chrome detail and low profile tires. What a fun car to drive!
I welcome surprises; when I'm going about the mundane (and even not-so-mundane) tasks of life, they inject excitement and joy into my being. The greatest surprise is that someone cares enough to surprise me.
“There is no surprise more magical than the surprise of being loved.”
― Charles Morgan
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