Surprise Of My Life!

Friday evening started off pretty typical for our family. Chris planned to take us out for dinner. I had wanted to do something a little different, so I suggested one of my favorite spots, Bonefish Grill. Oddly enough, however, Chris was adamant about eating Mexican food. Sorry, I just wasn't feeling it. I asked why he wanted Mexican food so badly and he told me he had a coupon and that he had a Mexican theme going on. Wait a minute. My husband has never used the word 'theme' in his vocabulary since we've been married. What in the world was wrong with him? Needless to say, I decided to suck it up and go with the flow.

We got to the Mexican restaurant, where we've been many times before, and the girls at the front desk stared very strangely at me and sort of whispered under their breath. Hmm...did I have something stuck in my teeth, perhaps? They seated us and gave us our menus. I opened mine and found a white envelope with the stamp of my high school in Arkansas. Inside was a letter that read, 'Roses are red, violets are blue, some Jessieville peeps sure do love you!' Ok, something was definitely up. By that time, all the waiters/waitresses had gathered around the back of the restaurant and were smiling at me. Quite honestly, a sense of panic came over me. I begged Chris and Abby to tell me what was going on. I'm not one to like having things sprung on me without any time to prepare. Well, after the waiter took our drink order, he presented me with a second envelope that read, 'I'm a little bit older, but not as hairy, as when I dressed as an ape, but wasn't really scary. I know you didn't mind me calling you 'Ape', 'cause if we thought we'd be in trouble, I'd help us escape!' The very instant I read that clue, I knew it had to be from my friend, Amy. Well, just a few seconds later, she walked into the room with our drinks in hand! I about died! We hugged and laughed; the shock of it all was overwhelming!     

Amy sat down next to Chris in the booth directly across from me and handed me a third envelope. I ripped it open and read the clue...'Back in the day together we would cheer, all those memories I hold very dear. Wish we could visit more often, if only I lived near. Guess who???'  I knew, immediately...it had to be Alicia! Within seconds, she entered the room...I was stunned! We embraced and I tried picking my jaw off the floor. I was blown away! She sat down and handed me a fourth envelope that read, 'Two little girls with big, brown eyes, boy, were they in for a big surprise! A gift from God lasted through the years. There was laughter, distance, tears. They each had no sister, so, they decided to fulfill the part. They grew a bond and are truly 'Sisters in Heart'. No question about it, it had to be Marni! She turned the corner and we ran over to each other with arms outstretched. I could hardly believe my eyes! My three best friends from high school had flown in to surprise me because they knew I'd had a very difficult seven months and they wanted to put a smile on my face. Alicia traveled from California, Amy came from Wisconsin, and Marni flew in from Arkansas. We hadn't seen each other in 13 years!

Here I am shortly after Marni walked out. You can see the stunned look on my face... 

We, of course, had to get a photo before we left the restaurant and headed back to our house. Chris and Abby ended up going to SC. for the weekend, so it was just us four girls...

  

I plan to post more pics. this week of our amazing reunion, but this photo show how zany we were in high school (Alicia isn't in this shot)...

And I can assure you that we're still just as silly as ever! I love these girls so much and what they did for me is more than I can put into words, but I'll do my very best. Stay tuned!

'As we grow up, we realize it is less important to have lots of friends, and more important to have real ones.'