No need to comment...this is a journal entry. The photo captures the first few minutes of Jim's surprise as we walked into the Beaver Island Lodge to meet, he thought, a good friend and his wife for dinner, as a last bit of birthday celebration. He was shocked to find son Greg, daughter-in-law Jen, Nate, and Ellie here from Chicago (for the weekend). So, with family here for the weekend, I'll post, but most likely not get to spend much time viewing and commenting. My apologies in advance. Thank you all for your ongoing support and comments -- I do value them so much!
The Surprise Plan:
1. Prepare a major celebration on Wednesday, his birthday with me cooking entire dinner, including carrot cake. Give him nice present, but the fact that I cooked the whole meal convinced him that was THE birthday event.
2. Tell practically no one, to keep surprise possible. Hold breath through three birthday calls (my mom, my brother, Greg et al, who were all in on the secret) but no one spills the secret.
3. Figure out ways to get house cleaned without looking suspicious (since 365, have not shown any interest in cleaning up house or working on grounds).
4. Sliver provides fortuitous reason since I could not use my hand for about 4 days, so it was logical I would manically try to catch up. Careful not to suggest he put anything away of his, as that would create suspicion.
5. Tell him we are going to meet our friends at the Lodge, but they are coming back to the house for birthday carrot cake. Gives me reason to clean downstairs bathroom and vacuum/dust.
6. Plan for getting kids here works without a hitch -- involves a charter plane from Chicago to Beaver Island, with clear directions to family that this is unlikely to recur in the future. Friends we are meeting for dinner pick them up at airport. Call me with signal that all is well (in case Jim picks up phone): "We're running a few minutes late, let's meet in the bar" meant that all was well and they will be there before 7:00. "We're running a little late, can we meet in the bar instead about [insert time]" meant plane was late and I needed to delay getting there.
The plane was early, the signal worked perfectly (and Jim was there to hear, so good thing we had a code), dinner was great, and Jim is very very happy.
YAY!!!
What a wonderful surprise - well done on all that planning and managing to keep it all quiet from Jim!! He must have been thrilled to see the family!! Great shot of you all - one to treasure!!
I know-I know - no need to comment but it's great to see a picture of you and your family and to ready such a great story in your post. Glad to hear everything went so well.
I love planning surprises for Jeff- he never suspects anything until just the moment before everyone says "surprise!". So glad yours worked so well. And what a nice family!
@danielwsc I'll share...right now he's so immersed in the Blackhawk game that he wouldn't hear a word I say! And covert ops -- my cover is blown. Learned all I know from NCIS!
Glad it was a surprise and he enjoyed the evening!