Today I am taking a break from semi-frantic packing to celebrate 9 wonderful years with my beloved.  It’s difficult to believe that it has been that long!  Chad was supposed to take care of the day but I could see him dropping the ball so I decided that instead of getting frustrated I would be proactive and do it myself.  This was all compounded by the fact that Chad is having serious issues with me leaving for eight weeks.  Salt on the wound, I am even taking his dog.  My sweet guy has been alternating between stomping and moping around the house in mourning since I bought his plane tickets to fly out and meet us in Yellowstone.  Something drastic needed to be done to get the hubby back on board!

Have I mentioned that I love to scheme?  There is just something about sneaking around, putting things into motion that you just know are going to blow someone away that brings me inherent joy.  The first part of scheming is to lay a false trail so I let Chad believe that taking me out to dinner Sunday would suffice for nine years of marriage.  To his credit, he found a Japanese Steakhouse that prepared your food at your table while the chef juggled knives and set your eyebrows on fire.  The kids would have loved it but not the most romantic place on the planet.

As soon as Chad left the house, the Happy Anniversary Fairy whisked up the kids and raced to beat him to work.  I couldn’t believe my luck.  I hit every red light between our humble abode and the freeway.  The irony peeked when he pulled out from a gas station right in front of me.  After an exciting cloak and dagger pursuit hiding behind semi’s complete with mom supplied spy music, we arrived unspotted and dropped off a pile of gifts at the guard’s desk.

I wasn’t halfway to the freeway when my cell buzzed.  I could hear him blushing over the phone.  When did I deliver the presents?  What was the card all about?  Did I really have to wrap them in hearts and red ribbon?  He had to carry them through two very long, very populated buildings back to his desk.  I think anniversary #10 calls for a bouquet of balloons.

I laughed and said the card explained it all….

I reminded him of his promise to hurry home so we could run to Wally World to buy a first aid kit.  If I am going to drive five kids across the country, I need to be prepared for anything.  After hanging up, the kids burst out laughing.  Wal-Mart was the last thing on my mind.  We ran home for a whirlwind cleanup and packing season before picking up lunch at heading over to Audrey’s house.  Audrey is a beloved friend who had become a co-conspirator the day before as we walked the mall hunting for an outfit perfect for my big night.  Only a true friend would accompany you and six kids into Victoria’s Secrets. 

“Mom, it stinks like girls in here!” 

“Where’s the rest of it?” 

“Hubba, hubba!” 

Together, we had found the perfect dress and now we were headed over to her place so she could do my hair and makeup.  We arrived at 1pm.  Chad should be opening box #2 anytime now so I turned off my phone, left it in the ZooMobile, and headed inside. 

Two hours later I emerged feeling like a princess.  Audrey had given me a flirty updo, an upside French braid with cascading curls, and then helped me into my dress.  After a few flirty pictures, we rounded up my zoo and raced off to pick up Samantha who had offered to babysit for the evening.  I dropped the kids off at the house and then headed into Hagerstown to check into the hotel.  Half tempted to collapse on the bed and simply enjoy the air conditioning, I stocked the fridge, set out the candles and cards, and checked the clock.  4pm: Chad should be opening box #3 now.

The Happy Anniversary Fairy was starting to get nervous.  Would this be the ticket to pull Chad out of his grumpy slump?  Would he kill me over the cost of the suite?  Would he appreciate the scheming or take offence to being lied to for a few days?  Too late to worry about the details now!  Time to get to Outback and meet the hubby…

With all my plans, there was one slight flaw.  By leaving the phone in the car, I didn’t get the message that Chad had a five o’clock phone conference.  Six sodas and a basket of cheese fries later, my husband finally arrived.  He was very appreciative of my schemes but the night was far from done. Box #3 had been filled with a new outfit complete with personal items so after dinner I dragged him across the street for a photo session at my favorite one hour place. 

By eight o’clock, Chad was getting interested in heading home but I had a severe craving for ice cream.  My practical minded husband thought that the mall DQ would fix that but I NEEDED to try a new place Audrey had told be about on the far side of Hagerstown.  Having lived with me through four pregnancies, my husband knows better to argue when I saw I need something food oriented but he didn’t like the idea of us taking both cars.  After some serious spinning, he was convinced and we headed off.  Afraid that I had blown my cover story, I made a show of pulling into a strip mall to look for the nonexistent store.  When I finally pulled into the hotel parking lot, he was completely frustrated.  “We aren’t going to find it.  Let’s head home and you can call Audrey for directions another time.” 

I wish I had a camera for the look on his face when I got out of the car and started walking towards the building!  He was absolutely and completely perplexed when I explained we were staying here for the night.

But Samantha needs to get home by 9:30!

But I couldn’t find anyone to watch the kids.

But, but, but….

How do you do this?!?!

Needless to say, I have a very happy hubby.  Not only did we get a much needed night out before but Chad will get two see us twice during our trip.  Happy Anniversary, my love. 

P.S.  I hope you were taking notes because #10 is all yours!