Last Friday, Mr. Handsome came home from work with an announcement: “Tomorrow at 11:00 in the morning, I have a surprise for you.”
“What is it?” I asked, intrigued.
“Just be ready to go tomorrow at 11, and I’ll tell you where you’re going,” he stated. “And make sure not to look at my phone before then.”
My personality is not one that likes big, life-altering surprises, and Mr. Handsome knows that. For example, if someone gifted me a vacation and told me about it a month in advance, I would be thrilled. But if I walked in the door and Mr. Handsome (or anyone else, for that matter) told me that I was going on a trip the next day (or even the next week), I wouldn’t be excited. In fact, I would likely decline the offer. But surprises that don’t involve travel (or being away from Little Buddy for more than a few hours, as that is something I would need to plan for well in advance) are lovely.
With all that in mind, Mr. Handsome orchestrated a wonderful surprise. He wouldn’t give me any details, but he knows me well enough to know that I needed the assurance that I would only be gone a couple hours and that he would be staying home with Little Buddy.
So on Saturday morning at 11am, I was standing at the front door, ready to go. I felt like a child on Christmas morning.
“Are you ready to find out where you’re going?” Mr. Handsome asked.
“Yes!” I replied.
He put an address in my GPS and then announced that he had booked me a massage. How sweet is that? He knows that I rarely get a break, and he had paid attention when I had told him a few days prior that I was having lower back pain from lifting our incredibly heavy (but incredibly adorable) son. So I was able to enjoy a couple hours of “me” time, plus a wonderfully relaxing massage.
When I returned, Daddy and Little Buddy were reading books. My heart almost burst when my 7-month-old son started laughing and smiling uncontrollably as he saw me walk in the door. After we ate lunch, Mr. Handsome laid down on the couch to take a nap with Little Buddy, and I headed for my home office to do some work. On the way there, I passed something that definitely hadn’t been there when I had left a few hours earlier. Was it…no, it couldn’t be!
Come back to the blog on Saturday to find out what I saw and to read the story behind it. But for now, I would love to hear your thoughts on surprises. Do you enjoy them? Perhaps you don’t enjoy any kind of surprises, or perhaps you would be thrilled if someone told you to pack your bags and head to the airport. Let me know in the comments section.
That’s awesome Ellie! So glad your hubby did that for you! It’s definitely so necessary to get away sometimes. I’ve got three kiddos three and under and I’m the type that loves on-the-spot-getaway surprises. It means I don’t have to wait and anticipate the entire month while it draaaags on until my getaway, and we get to go right away! My husband, last year, did just this – came home and said we’re going on a 5 day getaway in a week and grandma will watch the kiddos – definitely the best trip ever:) Can’t wait to read your continuation of the story…
That’s very sweet that he knows what you like and surprised you with it. What type of trip was it (beach, mountains, etc)? 3 kids 3 and under must make for a busy life. Does Grandma handle them well? I always worry that when we have a few children, no one will want to watch them.
It was actually a trip to Cali -we were exploring Coronado Island- so a whole plane flight and everything:) it was super awesome! It was fun to rent electric bikes and explore the different beaches. My own mom is an exceptional grandma because she only had three of us kids and we’re all married now and all have little ones- so she’s all in the grandmahood and helping us out and enjoying it. My mom-in-law on the other hand had a few children later after the older ones were bigger and has a harder time with that because she’s still raising her own younger children.. so it definitely depends, but I know I’m definitely very blessed to have both moms that love my kids- and they’re all boys who have a ton of energy 😅
Sounds like an awesome trip! Haven’t heard of Coronado Island, but I looked up photos, and it’s beautiful.
I love surprises. But I don’t have anyone that would do that to me since I’m not married.
Ps. I love your new header.
Thank you! I love it, too. 🙂
So sweet!
I think the same way about surprises as you do. I enjoy them but I also like to plan things ahead of time so I’ll know what we’re doing and what needs to be packed. The scenario you mentioned, I wouldn’t decline, as long as my child can go, but I would definitely be in a stressed out mood trying to make sure I pack enough. I tend to do well with last minute things but I don’t particularly enjoy them.
I agree, as long as I could take the baby, a little more last-minute would be okay, but still not a day before.
Ellie
Ellie, was this your first massage? I hate surprises. I use to take bus trips, but never took a mystery trip. They wouldn’t tell you the designation, but told you how to dress and how much walking was involved. It was usually a 1 day trip and not much walking. I do like to read about another person’s surprise. Can we quess? It’s a big flat screen TV,so you can watch your Hallmark movies.Lol. S.S.
It was my second massage. (My first was a few years ago when I was having wrist and back pain.) It was great!
Haha it wasn’t a big screen TV, but good guess!
Ellie
Doesn’t it feel creepy having strangers touching you like that? I don’t mind PT or a doctor visit, but I won’t get a massage from anyone I’m not married to.
The masseuse was a female, so it wasn’t awkward. 🙂
I love your header picture. It’s so sweet.
I do not like surprises either. I’m a planner.
Earlier this year, my husband told me we were going on vacation in a few days. It was stressful because it was short notice. And we had no clue where we were going. It’s hard to find a hotel room that will allow 8 of us in a room, although my children are little. So, after much searching online, I was just gonna give up. But we did go on vacation.
I’m sure some surprises would be nice. I think it would be a wonderful surprise not finding out the gender of your unborn baby until birth. But I could never do that since I don’t have any girl clothes and would need months to prepare.
I think more spontaneous people would be ok with surprises.
It sounds like you had a nice time to yourself, getting refreshed. Your husband is very thoughtful.
I can imagine how stressful that might be! Did you end up having a fun vacation? That’s too bad that most hotels don’t allow all your kids to stay in one room. Are there certain chains that do/don’t allow it, or do you have to call individual hotels?
Ellie
I am a creature of habit,so I would not like a surprise sprung on me.
Marilyn
I don’t like surprises*. If you want to make a change to something around here or add something to the house, discuss it with me first. Don’t buy anything without consulting me first. We do stuff together, not as surprises. If you feel you need to buy something without my input, you’d better save the receipt!
*The only exceptions are finishing chores without being asked, and diamonds. I’m OK with either. HA!
LOL!
I love surprises especially from my husband and daughters. What a sweet thing your husband did for you. You are one blessed woman!
Aww. That is so sweet.
I do not like surprises one bit. Nope. Not at all. 🙂
I am just like you….small, short-term surprises are fun and appreciated. Big things, I enjoy planning together.
I wouldn’t decline a trip surprise ever, because the end result should be totally worth any short period of stress it might involve! Ideally whoever planned the surprise would have made arrangements for all of the big stuff, but if not, I think I can manage 24 hours of stress for a few days of considerably less! But in general I’m not a big fan of surprises, mostly because if I know something’s up ahead of time, I worry about what it is, and whether I’ll like it or respond appropriately if I don’t. I also would be a little concerned about expensive surprises (pricey trip, jewelry–or how about those car commercials where someone gets a car as a gift? No way!), as I’d prefer to be able to discuss the budget on stuff like that together. But, truth be told, if a surprise is done well and tailored for me, as long as it’s done in love, how bad can it be? My engagement was a surprise–I knew it was coming at some point, but the surprise moment itself was great. And baby #1’s gender was a surprise because it didn’t matter to me either way. That was a priceless moment. But I did need to know for #2 so I could plan! 🙂
I am guessing that Mr H left a painting!
As far as surprises go….I think your massage was a wonderful surprise and very sweet and thoughtful. I don’t know how I am for positive surprises – all surprises I have experienced have been negative! I think though that I would enjoy some surprises but not going to the airport on short notice. I would have a hard time letting go of all the regular responsibilities. Eileen
Ellie, You may not like surprises but I noticed you like to keep secrets.
How wonderful!😊
Sweet! How much does baby weigh now?
He hasn’t been to the doctor since his 6-month checkup, but at that point he was almost 20 pounds. We’ll see what he is at 9 months. He’s a big baby, but both Mr. Handsome and I were big babies, so it makes sense.
Ellie