Run or Di: Surprises

Yesterday was kind of a strange day. I slept in, as is my prerogative on Saturdays, and when I woke up I didn't much feel like doing anything. My husband was in super "I want to be productive!" mode, so I helped clean a bit, then got a call from my brother and headed to his house to help him out with something.

When I got back we all had lunch, and I still didn't feel like doing much of anything. I was planning on going for a run, and felt it was important that I didn't skip it, because I was dedicating my miles to the memory of Meg Menzies, a local(ish) runner who was killed by a drunk driver. But I felt I could do it "later" - for some reason, I was just content to kind of "chill."

When the kids went up for naptime, my husband said he was going to run some errands and offered to pick me up some Starbucks. I took this as a sign that a restful, do-nothing day was exactly what I was supposed to be having. So I just watched t.v. and was basically being a slug. Around 3:00, my husband commented that maybe we should go out somewhere when the kids got up. So I agreed and headed upstairs to (finally) take a shower. A few minutes later, I heard the door bell. Then whispering. I looked, and there stood one of my oldest family friends, and her daughter.

"Happy Birthday!"

Uh.... what? They helped my husband start decorating my house as I just flapped around, confused. Then the doorbell rang again. And again. And again.

My wonderful, sneaky, crazy husband managed to plan a surprise birthday party for me all while I was completely oblivious, then he (practically single-handedly) cleaned the whole house while I sat on my butt drinking Starbucks and then even managed to get me to take a shower and get dressed .... just in time for people to show up.

It was an awesome party. I cannot remember the last time I felt so loved - nor the last time I had quite so many glasses of wine!

The hat says "Birthday Princess." Yup, that's me!

At first, my husband had the 5 and the 3 backwards. Not funny, smartypants!

As the last of the guests were leaving, it dawned on me that I hadn't gone for my run. I didn't get in my "Miles for Meg." But then I realized that what I had done was much more important, and, truthfully, probably something that Meg would have rather done, too. I spent time with my family and friends, celebrating life.

My heart still goes out to Meg's family, of course, and to all the families of people who have been lost due to drunk driving (or any other reason). Yesterday was just a good reminder to spend time with those you love, and to enjoy each day as much as you can. Also, to get off your butt and help when your husband is cleaning, because you never know who might be stopping by later! ;-)