The Finn Files: Long Distance Surprise

You know how sometimes you just happen to be in the right place at the right time and because of that rare instance when everything happened to line up just so and something wonderful happens? That has happened for me on several occasions but in this particular instance, it happened on a muggy afternoon in August in Cape May, NJ in 2004. Mark and I were newly married, newly moved and new students. We went to some kind of "mixer" for his class at some professor's beach house. I only remember two things about that night: 1. I was wearing a denim skirt (yikes) and 2. I met a really great girl named Alisha. As a result of that night, I eventually ditched the way outdated skirt and found myself a life-long friend. Fast forward eight years, when her husband called and said he wanted to plan a big surprise birthday party for her 35th, I jumped at the chance to participate. It just so happens that my Mark and Alisha share a birthday (Jan. 7) which just goes to show what a great man he really is that he gave me the go ahead to spend his birthday weekend with my girlfriend. (Full disclosure, I was back for his actual birthday and was able to spend the day with him so I'm not the worst wife in the world after all.)

Anyway, Jack had planned this huge surprise party with all of her family and friends, rented out a restaurant and hired one of her favorite singers to play a private concert just for the party! It was all I could do to keep it a secret, especially when talking to her. But the secret was kept. I was a little bummed that I was going to be so close to my friend and not be able to see her until late that night in order to keep the surprise. As my luck would have it though, the original plan got turned inside out and I got to be the decoy surprise. I was waiting at the restaurant with three glasses of champagne when Alisha and Amy arrived. She was so surprised that she made a lot of noise and caused a big scene in the restaurant. It was so funny and fun and a win-win for me because I got to pretend to be the surprise and have a great dinner with two of my nearest and dearest friends. After dinner we told her we had a big night ahead of us but first we had to stop by a nearby bar to take Brandon his phone (Amy's husband had "accidentally" left his phone in her purse). When we did, all of Alisha's friends and family yelled surprise and we had officially pulled off the surprise party. It was so much fun to participate in the festivities and celebrate my dear friends 35th birthday! Big props go to Amy for getting Alisha from point A-B-C without her knowing a thing and Jack for planning the eveningt. It was a great night and such a fun trip.

As a bonus, my flight got in a little early Saturday afternoon and I got to have a late lunch with some of my favorite people in the world (who happen to live in DC!), Kelly, Elizabeth and Summer. I spent many hours with these ladies at various playgrounds around DC and sweating our fannies off as we pushed strollers uphill both ways (it seemed). These are truly wonderfully inspiring women that I am fortunate to call my friends. Even though we don't talk as often as I would like, we always pick right up where we left off no matter how much time has passed (the sign of a true friend if you ask me!). It was a wonderful treat and I'm so thankful these ladies took time (and found babysitters) to make this afternoon work.

The boot brigade