Where in the world is Jon?: Surprise Cindy

Cindy’s birthday came and went a couple weeks back when I was at my lowest with the flu that hit me. I felt horrible that I could barely acknowledge her birthday much less get her a gift or dinner or anything. I managed to find the card that I had bought the week before and scribbled something in a delirious state.

So as I approached full recovery, I hatched the idea of throwing Cindy a surprise party with this three day weekend coming up. I still wasn’t my normal self but I sent out e-vites and suddenly I realized I had to pull this thing off. So I shopped for snacks and such, determined to keep it simple. I hid all the goodies except the things that needed refrigeration in the garage in old boxes and trash bags. Then I did my best to hide and or distribute things in the fridge to not raise suspicions. Skye and I ordered a cake to pick up on day of the party. How I’d do that I hadn’t figured out. Cindy was curious as to if we would do anything or see anybody over the weekend. I played off that I still needed some recovery time, I didn’t feel like doing much of anything.

The night/early morning, like 2 or 3 am, before the party I got up and sort of laid out the platters and bowls and forks and stuff for the party, took some pics and then re-hid everything. I prepared one simple dish that still needed to be cooked, but I’d figure out how to get that done latter. I really didn’t have a plan yet. I went on-line and bought tickets for a movie for the time the guests would be arriving and getting ready to surprise Cindy upon our return. Then I made a little outline with the pictures of where everything was and how everything could be set up. At some point during the day I told Cindy I just had to get out for some “alone” time. It didn’t seem to be too odd of a request. Off I went to get the cake. Upon return I bumped into Cindy as I came into the house through the garage, luckily I left the cake in the car just in case such a chance meeting occurred. I’d sneak it in latter, which I was able to do. We were all in the car ready to leave when I “realized I had left my phone in the house” I went back inside while Cindy and Skye waited in the car. I then retrieved the envelope with the photos and instructions, left it out, unlocked side doors and back doors and headed out hoping that this would work out. I didn’t specify anyone to be in charge and didn’t know who was going to show up when. That was part of the fun of it. Half-way through the movie and the guests would hopefully be arriving and setting up. I had sent out an e-mail to the guests that morning but had no idea if anyone checked it. It was out of my hands now.

After the movie, I received a voicemail that indeed, super responsible good friend Linda was there had found envelope and was moving ahead. What a relief. I called shortly before we got home but couldn’t say anything or even risk Cindy hearing me on the phone, so I hung up after a couple rings. Hopefully that would be enough. When we got home Cindy commented that someone must be throwing a party because of all the cars. Skye had been very discreet the days and hours leading up but she was starting to let it slip. I rang the doorbell and then realized I didn’t have my keys. As I waited for Cindy to get the door open, I wondered what would happen next. Who would be there? Where would they lay in wait?

It worked!!

For a moment Cindy thought it was a home-invasion but then she saw it was people she knew, she was still confused since her birthday had been a couple of weeks before. The guests had done a wonderful job being hosts and the party was in full swing within minutes.