Birthdays have always been a big deal in our relationship. And I guess that’s pretty much my fault.
Our first holiday together was Mr. A’s birthday, a few short months after we started dating. Sensing he was the one, I decided to go all out and I surprised him with season tickets to the Orioles (he’s a baseball lover).
It set quite the bar for Mr. A and he’s been trying to beat my birthday surprise ever since. I think it’s safe to say that the surprise he arranged this year for my 26th birthday certainly beats my Orioles season ticket gift by leaps and bounds.
Since we both have a flair for dramatics, Mr. A spent a lot of time devising a clever way of unveiling my surprise. It went something like this.
I woke up Saturday morning to the ear-to-ear grin of my hubby, who quickly informed me that he had my birthday surprise prepared but I would have to go searching for it.
It started off with this note, explaining that in order to retrieve my gift I would need to successfully complete a scavenger hunt that contained facts and clues about the gift.
After explaining the ground rules, he gave me my first clue:
“Your first item on the scavenger hunt will be an item that you’ll need on your trip to protect you from the harmful UV rays of the sun. This item can be found behind the words we so joyfully and tenderly said to each other on our wedding day.”
I ran over to our gallery wall, which contains a picture of our vows, and immediately grabbed the sunscreen, which contained a clue for the second item.
“Your next item is something you’ll need to wear to protect your feet on the hot ground and sand. You can find this item inside one of our modes of transportation we have in common with ‘land-lovers.’”
After rolling my eyes (it was only like 90 degrees outside), I marched to find my flip flops on the floor board of my car with a third clue.
“There will be a lot of water near and around where you’ll be. You’ll need proper attire for these conditions. Your next item can be found where you hang your attire to dry.”
Remembering that I had laundry drying on a drying rack, I searched the rack until I found my bathing suit top, which had yet another clue.
“Your next item will be something you’ll need to protect your eyes from the bright sun as it dances off the surrounding waters. It can be found in a place where you store throw blankets or the occasional laptop.”
In the living room, I found my sunglasses hidden in a basket where we keep our throw blankets, with the last and final clue.
“Your final item will reveal your destination. It can be found in the space you are most comfortable and long to retire to after a long, tiresome day. Your final item with help you dry yourself off.”
Anybody have any guesses, yet?
When I got to our bed, I found a binder wrapped in a towel. On the front of the binder, our destination was revealed.
We are going to Key West!
Included inside was our entire itinerary for our four day trip.
We’ll be snorkeling and parasailing, seeing a cabaret show, watching the sunset, playing on jetskis (hopefully Mr. A keeps his ring on this time), and even doing yoga on the beach.
I was completely and totally shocked by the graciousness of his gift. I never in a million years would have guessed that we were going somewhere as fabulous as Key West.
But that’s my hubby for you.
We are leaving Thursday on my actual birthday so I have a ton of packing to do between now and then. That is if I can stop being so excited!
Anyone ever been to Key West? Any places you recommend?
