Surprise!

Any of you who know my dear husband know well that it's very difficult to surprise him. It's hard to keep things from him, mostly because he is so charming and can easily tease details out of just about anyone. He is the sneakiest of spies, tickles secrets out of the Little Nguyens, and senses exactly when and where birthday presents might be hiding from him in our house. Well, let's just say that Friday was quite a... surprise for him!

A little bird let it slip to a co-worker of Chi's that he had a birthday coming up. And not just any birthday....the birthday. The Big 4-0. Well, he and a few other conspirators ran with it and planned an elaborate day for Chi. To begin his great day, a few adorable shots of Chi from his childhood and teenage years were enlarged and hung in many conspicuous locations in his office building (such as the elevator) where others were sure to spot them. As if the "mugshots" weren't enough, a slideshow was created, which looped over and over again throughout his surprise birthday celebration on Friday afternoon. But he thought the surprises ended there. Ummm...nope.

Co-workers gathered in a conference room on Friday afternoon, ready to surprise Chi when he walked in. The Little Nguyens were there, too, and eager to yell, ""SURPRISE!" (I kept the party a secret from them until after Chi had left for work on Friday morning -- they would have peeped for sure!) The gathering was an utter shock to Chi, who thought he was heading to a long, Friday-afternoon meeting. The look on his face was complete disbelief at first, then his shy smile and blushing cheeks appeared when he realized he'd been had. It was probably one of the few times in his life that Chi has ever been truly surprised! And probably the last....

We love Chi. He was such a good sport, and I know paybacks will be a @&%$#! 40th birthdays are often viewed from a glass-half-empty sort of place, but I really think the best is yet to come. I've known Chi now for eleven years, and each one is better than the last. He can still make me laugh like no one else with his sense of humor. His smile is as charming now as the first day I saw him. His sweet, caring heart makes me feel loved every day. I am so fortunate to spend my days with such a wonderful man. Happy 40th Birthday, Chi! The best is yet to come!