01.29.11 - SURPRISE PARTY!!!

My absolutely wonderful friends pulled off a surprise birthday dinner for me the night after my 40th birthday. And they got me, though there was one little hint walking into the restaurant, my boss got a perfect parking space right in front of the door. He has press photographer plates, so his Jeep is easily recognizable. As I walked up the stairs to the table I figured it could go one of two ways as I came through the door, it was total coincidence or there was something brewing.

It was the later, and an amazing representation of my adult life, that being the years from college on! The two people from college that I have kept in my life, my boss and his wife, a co-worker, my Thursday night Quizzo group, my holiday family, my match makers (long story), the matriarch of Brody's home away from home, and friends of friends who have become friends, friends all!

So here's a little visual trip through the evening. It started at Angela and Matt's house with a chocolate martini and some Wii. The story was that they and Julia wanted to take me out for my birthday. At this point I am totally clueless, as you can tell because I am wearing a dress and trying to throw a cow. SUPPOSEDLY, a friend of Matt's band was playing (BIG LIE). So here the three of them plied me with alcohol, silly games (they are the only people I have ever met who have the same strange taste in Wii games as me, you can see how seriously they take the shooting plungers at rabbits) and time with Lola the crazy funny French bulldog.

Then we headed off to The Half Moon, not wanting to go so late as to not get a good table for the band. (BIG LIE, and still I have no clue.) Angela (doesn't she look devious) may or may not have trash picked this scarf on our way in. You already know what happened between here and the top of the stairs, and sadly the room was too dark for my D3 and 1.4 lens, so the photos if you care to see them are on my FaceBook page from those with flashes. And Angela made double chocolate stout cupcakes with Bailey's frosting!

Back at the house the three conspirators were worn out. But Lola and Wookie were happy for laps to sit in.

It was an overwhelming night. I am so touched by all the lies everyone told to direct my day to this dinner. Those who had to work, those who had plans, those who didn't talk to me in case they gave up the surprise. You all did amazingly well! I have always wanted a surprise party, and you did it. I feel so loved, I am still smiling.