My husband is going to be celebrating a milestone birthday soon. I would like to commemorate this special event by having a surprise party for him. A quiet, composed man, he certainly would not appreciate a large affair. The list of invited guests will remain limited…our immediate family and a few of our closest friends. Because my birthday boy has everything he could possibly need and since he would be extremely embarrassed by opening presents, I have asked everyone to bring a funny card for him and, if they wish, to make a donation to their favorite charity in honor of him.
I plan to host this surprise birthday party at our home. We have a very roomy yard which is well suited to entertaining. There is ample room for our parents and siblings to sit comfortably on the patio, as well as a nice grassy area for the younger children to cavort. Decorations will consist of strings of colored patio lights, which will also light up the area nicely. Easy-listening music will be played on our outdoor CD player to create an ambience of serenity.
My husband is not a cake lover, so finding suitable birthday refreshments is always a troublesome matter. In the past, we have had oatmeal cookies or vanilla ice cream with various fruit toppings. One year, he was perfectly content with popsicles. This year, I have decided to serve a gourmet turtle cheesecake. The rich caramel and chocolate fudge combined with the distinctive tanginess and texture of cheesecake will be a special treat. The sprinkling of salty pecans will certainly keep his taste buds satisfied.
Flash forward: With all of the planning of this surprise birthday party accomplished, the day of this celebration finally arrived. Mother Nature provided a gorgeous evening. Our parents, siblings, children and friends were in our back yard, waiting to shout the customary “Surprise!”, as I led my husband outdoors to enjoy the delightful weather. Cards were opened, read, laughed at, and passed around for all to enjoy. “Happy Birthday” was sung as I presented the turtle cheesecake, complete with a few lit candles, to my husband. As I predicted, my husband and our party guests thoroughly enjoyed this birthday cake substitute.
It was an evening of quiet, comfortable pleasure; full of stimulating conversation, light-hearted jokes, and treasured fellowship of close friends and family…exactly the kind of celebration that my husband appreciates.
When the party was finished and everyone had gone home, my thoughtful husband thanked me profusely for having the kind of party he truly could enjoy. I asked him if he had any idea about this surprise. He replied, “I kind of suspected something was going to happen”. At least the exceptional turtle cheesecake was a surprise!
