Hee hee hee. If all goes as scheduled, by the time you are reading this, my mom will have had a wonderful surprise. The planning began about a year ago, but I think my dad has been dreaming of this for about 5 years.
Five years ago, my sister invited my parents out to her house for Thanksgiving. She lives on the opposite side of the country from my parents, my brother, and I. Unbeknownst to my parents, my brother and I (and our families) were also going to be at my sister's house for Thanksgiving.
My parents were delighted, as were my siblings and I. We couldn't believe that we actually managed to keep the reunion a surprise. We giggled like little girls the whole weekend. (My brother might not be OK with that description, but it's pretty accurate.)
About a year ago, my dad mentioned to us kids that he wanted another surprise reunion, but that he wanted to be in on the planning stage this time. Thanks to Facebook messages, we were able to plot and plan. My dad told my mom he wanted to take her to Yellowstone, and that he would take care of all the details. Mom usually takes over any task of organization, but she let my dad plan. We found a place that would accommodate our group and made our reservation.
I'm writing this ahead of the actual event (I'm not sure how reliable my internet connection will be), so what follows is the plan:
My siblings and I will meet at the cabin the night before our parents arrive. On Saturday (my mom's birthday!), my parents' kids and most of the grandkids will show up at Old Faithful at the same time my parents are there. We're hoping that Mom will be so distracted anticipating the eruption, that she won't notice us coming up behind her. My dad, ever the photographer, will set up his camera to hopefully capture the moment that she realizes we are there.
When I went to my parents' place in July, I really did go to help them, but the ulterior motive was to help keep Mom's radar down. It had been about a year since I had seen my parents; it would never cross Mom's mind that I might see them again in just a couple of weeks.
Not only will we be celebrating my mom's birthday, but this year is also the year of my parents 50th wedding anniversary. I can't think of a better way to celebrate.
I imagine we will all be giggling like little girls.
Have you planned a surprise party? How did it go?
Thanks for my parents, and for family reunions.
Oh, I love this! I'm giggling like a girl with y'all!
ReplyDeleteWhat fun!
ReplyDeleteI hope everything came together the way you planned and that the moment is captured in the photographs.
Wonderful celebrations...have a great time!!!!
ReplyDeleteYour Mother is just going to be thrilled! When we were much younger I surprised my little sister by coming home for Christmas -- I was sitting on the couch when she came home from school! Best surprise ever! Your surprise will be just as great.
ReplyDeleteThis is just a wonderful idea, and I know your mom is going to be thrilled! Can't wait to hear all the details.
ReplyDeleteMy parents have been on 6 missions and have made many friends and some now "adopted into the family" members. My parents had their 50th anniversary last year, and one of our "adopted family members" Jom (pronounced like Chom) came all the way from Thailand. They were so surprised to see him. It made the celebration all that more special.
ReplyDeleteAnother time when my dad was turning 70 I fly up to Oregon (we live in Utah)and surprised him... he is my step-dad but I've always felt he was/is my dad... and couldn't believe I made all that effort just for him! Makes me tear up to think of that again. Family... it's/their worth every effort we made! Hope you have a wonderful time.