Birthday Surprise...Almost

Next week Britten will celebrate his birthday. Unfortunately, he will be out of town so for the first time in ten years we will not be together to celebrate his birthday. If you've known me for any length of time you've picked up on the fact that I firmly believe everyone should feel extra special on their birthday so, it didn't sit well with me when I realized he'd be away from friends and family on such a special occasion.

I couldn't stand the thought of him not having the star treatment on hisspecial day so I worked to get his gift together along with a letter I had written him. I coordinated with another person that will be on the trip to make sure he would be given his gift on his actual birthday, have the happy birthday song sung to him at annoyingly loud volumes and without a doubt, have a candle to blow out even if it had to be stuck in the top of a doughnut. I was pleased with the way my plan had come together, especially on such short notice.

Now, if you've known Britten for any length of time you know surprises or waiting for a gift aren't exactly his strong points. In an effort to accurately portray the picture I would describe them as blaring weaknesses. He can't wait for a surprise and he doesn't want you to wait either.

(Photo courtesy of....oh, who am I kidding, you know where it came from.)

He's been known to hack into my email searching for order confirmations, ask our innocent children about his gifts and even insist that I open my presents ahead of time because he can't stand to wait.

Today we kissed him goodbye at the airport and I smiled inside because I had managed to slip his present into the luggage without him having a clue. I was giddy over the fact that he would climb onto an airplane thinking his birthday would be celebrated upon his return home but all the while I had put together the perfect plan.

We said our final goodbye at 11:20 a.m. and I got this text at 12:44.

You guessed it, that is a photo of the new Bible I got him for his birthday. No more cute wrapping paper, no more well thought out plan, no more birthday surprises. He had found the gift and opened it barely an hour after I had dropped him off.

But seriously, how could I really get upset at this guy?

Happy "early" birthday to the most amazing husband and father. We love you Britten!