A Great Birthday

I know, I know -- It isn't usually me that writes the account of our lives on this blog, but it wouldn't really be fair if Erin had to brag herself about how awesome of a birthday she put on. I am not the easiest person to plan a birthday for because of a couple of different things. First, I like to buy things. When I want something, I buy it. If I see something that looks cool at the store, I get it. I don't really understand the concept of a "wish list" no matter how close we are to Christmas or my birthday. Erin has tried to train me, and I am getting better, but I am probably still one of the hardest people to shop for -- especially if you are wanting to surprise me. Erin loves surprises, everything about them. She loves the build up and the excitement. If I was buying her a present for our anniversary six months down the road, I could put it in the middle of the room, throw a blanket over it, tell her that is the gift for her and I could guarantee that she won't be looking under that blanket because it would SPOIL THE SURPRISE. This isn't how I function. I have a tendency to spoil the surprise without even trying. I like to make guesses and speculate. There have been several incidents where I've ruined the moment, all because I was impatient. I think it drives her nuts, but she is still good about it, she just has realized she has to play everything a little close to the vest.
Despite our contradictory dispositions, Erin came away victorious this birthday. After I bought a few items that she had as ideas for presents a few days before my birthday, she was still able to come up with some great ideas of things I really wanted, without actually knowing it at the time. It started the night before when I was imprisoned in my living room while she set up her elaborate scheme throughout the rest of the house. The next morning when we woke up, I was told to wait in bed while she finished the rest of the preparations. I could smell bacon -- one of the only things I like to eat in the morning and I got all excited. She came upstairs with bacon and strawberrys and she was dressed in a few different layers of clothing. After eating our light breakfast (we both don't really eat very much for breakfast), the surprise began. She had set up a bit of a "married" version of a treasure hunt. After receiving my first gift (a Boise State DVD season in review), I had to get my next clue from Erin. Without going into detail, by the end of the treasure hunt, she was no longer wearing as many layers as she was when she came in with breakfast. It was cool and suprising. She gave me different cards that had the locations of the gifts. I got lunch at Tucanos, a movie, and the grand daddy of them all - a new GRILL. She did a really great job planning the day and making it exciting. I never thought my first birthday as a married person would be this great. I just can't say enough great things about Erin and about how much thought she put in to making my birthday as special as it was despite the fact that I spend much of my efforts leading up to it trying to spoil her plans. I'll have Erin update the blog with some pictures as soon as she can come home and find the cord to the camera that I likely misplaced!