The birthday saga

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Rexer25 · #1 Post by **Rexer25** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 6:39 pm

As I ranted about here several weeks ago, I noted in passing my 50th birthday. The Saturday before, my wife had invited a couple of families over for some grilled chicken, hamburgers and hot dogs with appropriate side dishes. We ate, laughed, had some of the Guinness and I received age appropriate gifts (i.e., a cane with a rear-view mirror, a horn and an ear trumpet). Mrs. Rexer has wanted to stay in touch with these families, so when they agreed to meet in 3 weeks at the home of one of these families in Plano, I didn't think anything of it.

On my birthday, Mrs. Rexer and our girls had a small party where I received cards, gifts, cake and attention. As the night wrapped up, I was thinking "That'll take care of my birthday nonsense for a year."

Last Saturday, we got to the house in Plano where the party was to be held. I walked in, and saw the 50th birthday decorations again! I thought this was going to be a replay of the party from 3 weeks ago, because only the same 3 families were there. But after a few minutes, to the door came people from our church in Ft. Worth, families from our old neighborhood in Lewisville, co-workers of mine from 2 and 3 jobs ago, a high school classmate, and my sister and her family with 2 extra nieces and nephews and my mother. My younger brother even called to say surprise. I was totally stunned. We had a grand time catching up, telling embarrassing stories, laughing and loving. For some reason, the host family thinks a fiftieth birthday party is the best time to soak the recipient with water balloons. This being North Texas, it cooled me for a while, then the ever present humidity made certain my clothes didn't dry out. But who was I to complain about such a wonderful surprise.

To cut to the lesson learned: if planning a surprise party, give a small party for the honoree a week or 2 before the real party. And though I don't think anyone in attendance reads this bored, I still want to tell them "Thank You!" for making me feel special again.

silvercamaro · #2 Post by **silvercamaro** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 7:00 pm

Face it, Rexer. You are beloved by a great many people.

Deal with it.

Beebs52 · #3 Post by **Beebs52** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 7:11 pm

A most deserved re-birthday party I can't imagine.

Many more happy re-returns.

kayrharris · #4 Post by **kayrharris** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 10:06 pm

Perfect planning on the planners part! Sounds like it was a great party.

otherindigo · #5 Post by **otherindigo** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 10:24 pm

Awwwww!!!! Major cool points!

PlacentiaSoccerMom · #6 Post by **PlacentiaSoccerMom** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 11:55 pm

People often say that surprise parties are never a suprise, but it sounds like yours was.

Congratulations and Happy Birthday!

peacock2121 · #7 Post by **peacock2121** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 4:19 am

How sweet!

Did your girls know about it and keep the secret?

MarleysGh0st · #8 Post by **MarleysGh0st** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 6:30 am

Rexer25 wrote:To cut to the lesson learned: if planning a surprise party, give a small party for the honoree a week or 2 before the real party.

Well, isn't your wife the sly one!

mellytu74 · #9 Post by **mellytu74** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 8:32 am

What a terrific story!

It sounds as wonderful as the idea, Rexer.

a1mamacat · #10 Post by **a1mamacat** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 8:35 am

Woohoo, what a great story

Happy HalfCentury. Welcome to the club

tlynn78 · #11 Post by **tlynn78** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 8:39 am

Very cool! I love surprises! I don't love knowing one is coming and not knowing what it is, but I love true, out-of-the-blue surprises!

t.

ulysses5019 · #12 Post by **ulysses5019** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 8:40 am

I guess my invitation got lost in the mail.

Rexer25 · #13 Post by **Rexer25** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 10:16 am

ulysses5019 wrote:I guess my invitation got lost in the mail.

Gee, Uly, they contacted people either by phone or e-mail. If your e-mail address isn't in my wife's contact list, I guess you got left out. I apologize. I'll check and see if squirrelinadickey@go.com is in her address book.

Rexer25 · #14 Post by **Rexer25** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 10:21 am

peacock2121 wrote:How sweet!

Did your girls know about it and keep the secret?

They didn't know. They are experimenting with playing Mum against Dad, and they would have run to me and told me first thing just so they could tell Mrs. Rexer what I did.

SportsFan68 · #15 Post by **SportsFan68** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 10:21 am

What a great story!

Hope the second half is as good as the first!

ulysses5019 · #16 Post by **ulysses5019** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 10:23 am

Rexer25 wrote:
ulysses5019 wrote:I guess my invitation got lost in the mail.
Gee, Uly, they contacted people either by phone or e-mail. If your e-mail address isn't in my wife's contact list, I guess you got left out. I apologize. I'll check and see if squirrelinadickey@go.com is in her address book.

That explains it. I never check my gomail.

peacock2121 · #17 Post by **peacock2121** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 10:45 am

Rexer25 wrote:
peacock2121 wrote:How sweet!

Did your girls know about it and keep the secret?
They didn't know. They are experimenting with playing Mum against Dad, and they would have run to me and told me first thing just so they could tell Mrs. Rexer what I did.

Very good job she did on keeping the info from them.

Rexer25 · #18 Post by **Rexer25** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 10:59 am

peacock2121 wrote:
Rexer25 wrote:
peacock2121 wrote:How sweet!

Did your girls know about it and keep the secret?
They didn't know. They are experimenting with playing Mum against Dad, and they would have run to me and told me first thing just so they could tell Mrs. Rexer what I did.
Very good job she did on keeping the info from them.

Actually, given her speech limitations, it probably wasn't too hard.

WWTBAM Bored

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