The Surprise Party

They got me.

My husband had been out of town. I turned 39 while he was away. I expected nothing. He asked where I might like to go eat when he got back and I might have been kind of a jerk about the fact that I didn't want to plan my own birthday celebration. I can neither confirm nor deny that. It's just a possibility I am throwing out there.

He had my sister make a reservation for us and another couple (who were in on it the whole time). We went out to dinner, where he allowed, nay encouraged, me to drink a cocktail and share a bottle of wine with my friend (just the two of us for the bottle). After dinner, he suggested another cocktail at the bar. Then I watched as the three of them downed their drinks in one gulp and said we should leave since, he "hadn't seen the kids all week." I was starting to get annoyed because my cocktail was really good and now I had to pound it.

So, now I was four drinks in, yet still alert enough to notice his sister's car in our driveway.

"Why is your sister here?"

"Oh, she forgot to get the flowers she brought over earlier." (They were for his mom, who recently had surgery). In my state, I considered it extremely plausible that she would need to retrieve those flowers at 8:30 pm on a Saturday night. Very important flowers.

Meanwhile, we had been listening to Motley Crue in the car. Who knows why? "Kick Start My Heart" was in my head, and apparently coming out of my mouth.

"Why don't you go make us a drink," my husband offered, kindly. Sure, Jerk, I will make all the drinks on MY birthday. Our bar is in the basement. I ventured down, still singing Crue. And that's when everyone jumped out with "SURPRISE." I almost wet myself. Remember, I was four drinks in and couldn't remember having gone to the bathroom once. They got me good.

I feel blessed and loved, and, okay, guilty for feeling annoyed at my husband earlier in the night. I am apologizing publicly. Meanwhile, I might have a problem, as people seem to really understand that I like red wine. I must be making this very clear in social situations. I love their perceptiveness. I have great friends.