Another Surprise Party

You might think we'd get tired of it after a while.

I mean, how many have we done?

The planning is confusing.

 We spend days or weeks or months, even, trying to coordinate schedules-without being found out.

Everything could be done more simply.

And yet, we continue to pursue the unexpected.

We take the more difficult route.

We guess and connive.

We run with excitement.

We gesticulate and discuss and argue and wonder.

We hope we haven't messed anything up.

We wait...

and wait...

and hide...

and at last, we cry out, "Now!" and with beating heart, jump out.

And all this for that one moment.

All for a few seconds of excitement.

All for the look of surprise on a friend's face.

All for the fun that lasts a few minutes, just to amuse ourselves.

Why?

For the memories.

For that look,

that flattered, happy face,

for the cry, "Well, that was a surprise,"

that makes everything worth it.

Yes, we did another surprise birthday party. We hid in the cornfields by the Cornwells' (yeah, I'm amused by that juxtaposition) and waited for Parker to come home with his father. Then we jumped out, and, naturally, the boys jumped him.

And we sang one of the most beautiful happy birthdays I've ever heard. There was one at youth group I remember that was absolutely horrific, but no other one comes to mind that was notably worse.

Isaac valiantly attempted to rescue his brother. (Yes, he was still pinned to the ground while we sang happy birthday.)

This was one of the most successful surprise birthday parties we have done. Parker said, "When I saw people running, I thought, 'Oh, my family is coming out.' Then I realized that was way too many people to be my family."

 On a scale of one to ten? "I've never been more surprised."

Oh, yeah. Success!

Parker with his sister Abby, the mastermind behind the party.

The party continued with lots of fun at the Cornwells' hospitable household, beginning with a tour of their beautiful, peaceful house.

 There was a bit of volleyball in the rain, and exploring of their reading room.

Including a discussion of what tolle lege means, which no one seemed to remember.

(It appropriately means take up and read.)

Eric and Nick excitedly discovered world peace.

Some of us enjoyed perusing what books they had.

With pizza and other yummy munchies, a game of four-on-a-couch (which almost ended a number of times with either side winning and finally was drawn, two-and-two on a couch), another lovely singing of happy birthday, some ice cream sandwich cake (Parker successfully blew out his one candle), and a final few games of Mafia, we bade them goodnight and Parker happy birthday and concluded the day an all-around success.

It's worth it, every time.