Surprise Party!!!

Last night, Terry and I had plans to go out for supper with Nichole and Randy to celebrate my birthday.  We started off the evening with Kiya coming to the house to babysit the kids.  Then we headed over to Nichole and Randy's for some appies before the restaurant.  Little did I know that after we left our house, Mark showed up and took Kiya and the kids to his place so Kiya could watch all five kids.  Terry had been planning a surprise party for me for a month - and surprise me he did.  As I walked in to Vintage, I thought I saw Kenton (my girlfriend Kelli's husband from Saskatoon). However, I thought it must have been someone who looked like him.  We checked our coats and then I was led into the restaurant to see some of my dear friends waiting at the table ready to celebrate my birthday.  I was surprised!  I was shocked to see Kenton and Kelli there, traveling just for this birthday supper.  Mark and Shea were there, as well as my friend Rachel and her husband Peter. Jamie and Erin I was told had a Christmas party and wouldn't be able to join us but that was fabricated all along.  And there was Nichole and Randy who were in on it from the beginning as Nichole helped Terry plan the evening.  I had wanted to go to Vintage Chop House for a while and the restaurant served a great meal and the company was amazing.  Terry did well and even wrote a little poem for me that he memorized and said if he hadn't been so nervous, he wouldn't have needed the little sheet of paper.  It didn't help that Mark was trying to video him which put him on the spot.

We celebrate with you this evening
A lot of fun planning and a bit of deceiving
We're all very blessed to be part of your journey
As you remind us that forty IS the new thirty!
Deep love for God, friends, and family defines you
And the lives you touch...are infinitely better too
Your smile, laughter, and love of life inform your ways
Though they require family pictures every 14 days
Happy Birthday Jenn!  We love you!

The night ended with birthday cake, made by Nichole, a few gifts and beautiful cards that were filled with heart-warming messages, and visiting.  It was hard to see the night end.  I am so grateful to Terry and Nichole for planning the evening, to Kelli and Kenton for making the trip, and for the friends who deceived me over the last month.  So far, forty is fabulous!!