spilling the beans

If you know me personally, you know that I am not a fan of surprises.  You also know that I am a fan of supris-ing.  I love surprising loved ones in ways big and small.  You can imagine, then, how excited I was to join forces with some VIP’s to pull off a super biggie surprise for one of my dearest friends who happens to be celebrating a major milestone birthday at the end of this year.

But then, wouldn’t you know it?  She went and surprised me way before I could even get her surprise off the ground.  You see, her husband and I concocted this amazing wine country couples trip.  It was to be the perfect way to celebrate her special day: a weekend in Sonoma’s wine country with friends who’ve long been separated by distance.  It was scheduled to take place the weekend before her birthday–in late November.  I planned a full itinerary for the four of us (she and her husband along with Jeff and I) We even had–have–a rental house all reserved.  Perfect right?  Almost.

Here’s the thing: she called me a few weeks ago to tell me that–quite unexpectedly–she’s expecting.  It is indeed a blessing of the richest variety, but, well, it does put a bit of a kink in the Sonoma plans.

The plans?  I thought you’d never ask. We have a house all rented and reserved.

Isn’t it adorable?  It’s within walking distance of Sonoma plaza and its five-star restaurants and plentiful tasting rooms.  There are two master suites and a hot tub and a full kitchen where we’d planned to come together each evening for game night.  Just like old times.  Sigh.

We were to arrive on Friday and surprise her at the baggage claim of the San Francisco airport when she and her husband arrived.   From there we would all hop in a rental car and drive the hour to Sonoma, right on time for dinner at this to-die-for foodie restaurant.

On Saturday morning we were going to enjoy a tasty breakfast at a local farm direct diner.  Like, as in, fresh eggs and cream straight from the farm.  Afterwards, we were to tour wine country–and leave the driving to someone else.  Dinner that night was to be at a highly-rated local gem.

Come Sunday morning my friend and I were going to be spa-bound for some girls time while our respective misters went mountain biking.

We were to come together again on Saturday evening for a couple more tasting room stops in Healdsburg, Ca.  And then dinner at another farm to table type of restaurant.

On Monday we’d head back into San Francisco, spending a few hours at the Walt Disney Family Museum before parting ways at the airport.

Sigh. Are those not the most dreamy plans you’ve ever heard?

For now, though, it all hangs in the balance.  The question, of course, whether or not Kelly (oh c’mon, you knew it was you) feels comfortable leaving her 10-week-old precious bambino home with Gran for the weekend.

Tough call, right?

Selfishly, I hope she does.  But admittedly, I wouldn’t blame her in the least if–like me–she’d rather be home breathing in the sweet, milky breath of God’s precious little gift.

Either way, this is me, spilling the beans on the surprise we had in store for you, friend.  Sorry we couldn’t pull it off as planned.  It would have been a fabulous surprise, right? XO.