March 25th, 2002 was the season premiere of the first Bachelor series with Alex Michel. Is it a coincidence that March 25th is also my birthday? What a great birthday gift that turned out to be. Well not only did the Bachelor celebrate ten years a week ago today (hard to believe!), but I had a little celebration of my own. Last Friday, I was supposed to be going to work, followed by date night to see The Hunger Games with The Husband. Saturday, we were to head up to my sister’s house where my four nephews (ages 10, 8 and 3 year old twins) would be putting on a talent show on my actual birthday. My sister had even called to tell me to pack a “going out outfit” for Saturday night. I was not allowed to ask what we were doing. This all sounded great to me. What did I know?
I went to bed Thursday night, clothes laid out for work. Packets of oatmeal packed in my purse. My work team had an offsite planned for the afternoon that I was looking forward to. As a reward for all of our hard efforts, our manager was taking us to Seaside Johnnie’s, a local beach side restaurant on the Long Island Sound for a leisurely afternoon. I even had a bag packed with flip flops, sunblock and a deck of cards.
View from birthday dinner restaurant |
At 5:18 AM, The Husband’s alarm went off. It was pitch black in our bedroom when this happened and I assumed it was a mistake or that I was dreaming. Since I had another 45 minutes until I had to get up, I immediately ignored this disturbance. Next thing I knew, The Husband is standing over my side of the bed, telling me to get up. Something about us going to Las Vegas. That a car was coming in 35 minutes and I had to pack. Huhhhh? I didn’t know if he was kidding. I didn’t know if I was awake. Whenever anyone wakes me up that early unexpectedly it’s usually because someone had died or someone is sick. Once The Husband convinced me that neither of these things were the case, he tried to talk to me about our return trip from Vegas. Something about him needing to change the time of our flight because of a voice-over job that had come up last minute. What on earth was he talking about? Return trip from where? I was going to work in an hour!
The Husband at Dinner. Cutest Dinner Date Ever. |
45 minutes later, we were in a car to Newark airport. I was still confused. The Husband explained that everyone at work was in on this surprise. They had checked my calendar and planned a fake offsite to Seaside Johnnie’s so that I wouldn’t plan any other meetings. My Scottish Work Friend was even covering a meeting for me on Monday morning. We had an 8:25 AM flight leaving for Vegas with a 12 PM flight back on Monday. Sunday, my actual birthday, would be spent in Vegas. He had already made dinner and show plans for us.
It wasn’t until I landed in the Vegas airport and started walking around that I actually started to be excited instead of stressed about missing work. We stayed at the Bellagio (holy cow, what an incredible hotel) and wandered the endless amount of shopping malls interspersed between insane hotels on the strip. We even heard that the cast of Jersey Shore was in town, but unfortunately did not see them.
Since I was half asleep while packing and couldn’t really think too hard, I ended up wearing the same sweatshirt for the entire trip. Luckily, we did manage to do some shopping. This meant that we wandered into about 100 stores and bought absolutely nothing but a cardigan for me to wear at night over one of the very casual tops I bought. I was just thrilled I remembered to pack deodorant and my contact lenses. I wandered into Ann Taylor at the end of our stroll down the Strip and saw all of the brightly colored items in the picture featured here. I think exhaustion must have set it or the overwhelming nature of waking up at 5:18 AM, a flight to Vegas, watching March Madness, placing bets for the first time at a Sports book, taking in the thousands of people around us in Vegas for work, a bachelor/bachelorette party, March Madness watching, or a quick getaway. I left Ann Taylor with nothing. I was too tired to try anything on and I didn’t feel like carrying anything.
If I ever had a thought of wanting to marry a romantic person, that thought was blown out of the water by what The Husband did for me last weekend. I think that I’ll smile for a long time just thinking about it. I have never been so surprised.
I got back to work on Tuesday morning, to be greeted by an office decorated Vegas style (with our view of the Bellagio fountain taped to my computer!). My co-workers said that they wanted to ease my transition back into the office. So funny.
Anyhow, happy April Fool’s Day. For me, I have already been fooled beyond belief, one week early. Best surprise ever. The Husband tells me that I’m going to have to take him to the moon next year to top this. He’s right. Anybody have any connections on the moon?
Hope you’re enjoying the Country Awards, Game of Thrones, The Killing and Mad Men tonight.
PS
I saw The Hunger Games last night with The Husband and it was well worth the wait. For anyone thinking of going – read the books first. It’s much more enjoyable and my friends that have read the books appreciate the movie more than those that didn’t. It was very well done. Since I’m anti-spoiler, I’ll leave it that.
Joy says
Was your dinner on an island in the Bellagio fountains?? (just kidding….had to say it!) I say; “Best. Birthday. Surprise. Job. Ever.” I always thought The Husband was the Most Supportive Guy; now he's even much cuter & romantic than that!! *sigh* ….And Happy (Late) Birthday, Stacey!
Anonymous says
How fun, and sweet of The Husband! I love surprises.
I also saw The Hunger Games this weekend with my hubby, we both loved it as well, although I have read the books and he hasn't he still enjoyed it.
Also so glad The Killing and Mad Men are back! I watch too much T.V…… Still loving your blog;)
Meagan A, WA
Amy Williams says
Yay for the Husband! I love surprises, and yet no one can ever “get” me. So I love hearing about a really good one.
Didn't know your hubs did VO work. I'm an ad agency writer/producer and we're always looking for new talent. Shoot me his info or studio website sometime.
And HAPPY birthday!