Surprise Parties

For about three years, my friends and I have been addicted to surprise parties.

We've thrown surprise parties for the following reasons:

1) Two people had top ten hits in foreign countries at the same time… thus, it was necessary we have a Norwegian and Canadian themed surprise party.  Duh.


2) One friend got a new job. 

3) Another thought he was going to a bbq for his wife’s work… and then we hopped out of the woods and held him hostage at a cabin for 48 hours. (It was his 30^th bday… and we had already celebrated it once… so it was the ULTIMATE surprise)

4) Another thought he was going to watch a game with a buddy and then we all parked at a nearby church and jumped out from behind the friend's kitchen counter.  (It was his 27^th bday)

5) Three ladies turned 30 in the same summer (they knew we were celebrating but the events were a surprise.)

6) Another friend turned 30.  He may or may not have been greeted in the drive with a live mariachi band.

7) A friend moved away (for the 2^nd time)… and thus, needed to be surprised on the balcony of a local restaurant... obviously.

8) (Insert a few more birthdays here)

9) The most elaborate surprise I've been involved in thus far, was when we surprised my sister for her 30th on Martha's Vineyard.  That involved planes, ferries and automobiles. Casually walking into a random pub on an island to find your aunt and two sisters (who live in 3 different states) sitting there...Amazing...

10) And then most recently....a  surprise engagement party. (As in, the party ran up a hill to greet the newly engaged couple thirty seconds after the proposal... don't worry the groom planned it; we didn't just bust-in on their special moment or anything.) That surprise was truly epic and I can't believe none of us spilled the beans.

Soooo... what I'm trying to tell you is that surprise parties are awesome and you should plan one immediately.  New job?  Surprise party.  New dog? Surprise party. New member of a gym? Why not? Surprise them.

And just because I love you (and can identify with Kristen Wiig's character, Sue, SOOO much) I just spent half an hour tracking down this video for you.  The next five minutes of your life just got a little more awesome. You're welcome.

mae