The birthday plans are backfiring!
By reinydawn
@reinydawn (11642)
United States
August 21, 2009 1:46pm CST
A little over a year ago - heck, maybe even 2 years ago - my husband decided he wanted to surprise his sister on her 40th birthday, which is this fall. She lives in another state, all the rest of the family is here. He wanted his parents, us, his brother and as many of the nieces and nephews that could go to trek down to Florida for her birthday. Well, she's kinda pretty sure what's going on - my husband isn't exactly the smoothest thing when it comes to being discrete. She's confided in her very close friend, who was also supposed to go down with us, that if in fact a huge surprise is being planned for her, then she will not be there. She wants nothing to do with a party for her 40th, she's not very happy about it to start with and this is now making it worse. I told my husband really quick this morning what the friend said about it all and he's kinda just blowing it off. Until last week, he was pretty determined that we were going to stay with his sister while we're there - unannounced! I did finally convince him on our way home from visiting with her last week that we need to find accomodations for her birthday. We've already bought the airfare, so we're going... But I want to tell his sister that we're coming and change it from a HUGE blowout to just us, the family.
You know what they say - "The best laid plans..."
2 people like this
4 responses
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
21 Aug 09
Well, I always think it's wonderful when brothers plan special occasions for their sisters. I hope she realizes how special that is. Honestly, turning 40 is a good thing. Hopefully, wiser and happy. I hope you guys can work it out and that it will turn out to be a blast. 
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
22 Aug 09
Well just keep it simple then. My 40th birthday went uncelebrated and I thought it was a great time to be 40! I celebrated by going to the beach with my kids.
Some people don't care to have a bunch of people around them celebrating their day. Just have family if she doesn't want more. If your husband insists, let him take the blame.
@reinydawn (11642)
• United States
30 Aug 09
I just hope it turns out well. I'm pretty sure we're just going to do a small family dinner now - which I hope will go over ok...
I was actually supposed to meet my husband for the first time on my 40th, but he never showed up to the party...
@GardenGerty (169538)
• United States
22 Aug 09
If he were my brother I would be tempted to strangle him. I hope your husband does not persist and ruin a good relationship. Sometimes brothers get bullheaded, though. I think you definitely need to make other accommodations while there this time.
1 person likes this
@reinydawn (11642)
• United States
30 Aug 09
Oh yeah, we're getting a room, that's definite! This really started out as a fun thing, but I think with us going down there the other week, the family has taken a toll on her. She does like being far away because she can do her own thing without worrying about what everyone will say/think. But she does get lonely too... It's looking like the whole "party" part is being way toned down - should just be family for dinner... Wish us luck!
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
21 Aug 09
I really hate for your brother that your sister has confided that if they were going to have a surprise birthday bash for her 40th birthday that she wouldn't be there. I know a lot of people threaten to do that when they reach the milestone birthdays, mine will be 30 next year, ugh.
But she should also take into consideration that if (since she's not 100 percent positive) that is what her family is going to do for her, that she should be very grateful for it. As we grow older we have less and less time to spend with family and she should just appreciate the extra time that she will get to spend with you all.
1 person likes this
@reinydawn (11642)
• United States
30 Aug 09
You are so right! You don't know when we're not going to be here any more and I like to cherish every minute I can. I just hope it all works out, they're really excited about going down to see her.
